English
The Mughals ruled most parts of the Indian subcontinent for over three centuries, starting from 1526 and until 1857. During their rule, Mughal emperors looted gold, jewellery and other precious stones and metals from India, making themselves enormously wealthy. When you imagine a Mughal heiress, you must have imagined her wearing several diamond and gold jewellery, living a comforting royal life. But, the imagination is not true. The great-granddaughter-in-law of India’s last Mughal emperor who once lived in luxury, lives in a slum area on the outskirts of Kolkata city. 60-year-old Sultana Begum, who claimed to be related to the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, is living her life full of hardships. She lives in a hut with her family in Howrah. As per reports, she shares a kitchen with neighbours and street-side taps for washing clothes.
In the 1980s, after the death of her husband Prince Mirza Bedar Bukht, Sultana’s life changed tremendously. Since then she has been surviving on a pension per month pension of Rs 6,000. The family, burdened by the financial strain of raising six children, faces major economic hardship. Her daughters are also dealing with financial hardships and unable to help her. Sultana lives with her daughter Madhu Begam. She has filed several petitions to the government for help but get no response. As her royal ancestry is well-documented, the 60-year-old received a little support.
Many descendants of India’s former aristocracy, including Sultana, have experienced major financial hardship following British rule. Human rights advocates are helping these families. The contrast between their noble lineage and current poverty highlights historical negligence.
While facing hardships, Sultana maintains pride in her heritage, recalling her late husband’s emphasis on their royal ancestry and their refusal to resort to begging. She continues to petition the government for the support she believes her family is entitled to.
The Mughal dynasty from which Sultana belongs contributed several architectural legacies throughout 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The Mughal, irrespective of their atrocities, built several beautiful structures such as the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, the Agra Fort and the Lahore Shalimar Gardens, most of them are recognised as world heritage sites by UNESCO.
However, Sultana, for several years, sending petitions to central and state governments for help and a decent pension, but got no proper response.
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