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Begum Hazrat Mahal Warrior Queen of Awadh
Lucknow, 1857. The last Nawab of Awadh has been exiled by the British to Calcutta along with his courtiers and his coterie. Only his beautiful queen, Hazrat Mahal, stays back with young prince Birjis Ali. Hazrat vows to fight the British and win back her beloved Awadh for her people and the crown for her son. She builds a rebel army and high drama ensues as they besiege the Residency, the walled British cantonment, for five months.
A fictional saga based on actual events, this book takes you within the walls of the Residency where love and passion rage alongside
the battle, and into the world of Begum Hazrat and her loyal band.
Will the rebel army storm the British bastion before their relief forces arrive? Or will the tide turn in a wave of loss and grief, crushing Hazrat Mahal’s dream for Awadh and her son?
A fictional saga based on actual events, this book takes you within the walls of the Residency where love and passion rage alongside
the battle, and into the world of Begum Hazrat and her loyal band.
Will the rebel army storm the British bastion before their relief forces arrive? Or will the tide turn in a wave of loss and grief, crushing Hazrat Mahal’s dream for Awadh and her son?
330 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2023
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 31, 2023
“That summer evening, the city of Lucknow, with its gracious monuments and spacious gardens, its gentle people with their gentle mores, its vibrant music and vivacious dancers, was at the brink of a revolution. And it was willing to pay any price for it. In blood.” Early on in the book, the author, Malathi Ramachandran, sets the scene for the conflict, heightens expectation about the “revolution”, and foreshadows an impending bloodletting that will tinge the coming pages.
As the title announces, this historical fiction novel is about Begum Hazrat Mahal, who emerged in the most tumultuous period of Indian history when Indians first rose up in arms against a repressive British colonial stranglehold as a heroine (before the word hero became gender-agnostic!). The series of widespread armed uprisings took place in 1857 and were varyingly called the Sepoy Mutiny, Indian Mutiny and Indian Insurrection by the British and colonial press, while the Indian nomenclature, understandably, has been The First War of Indian Independence, or just The War of Independence.
The book is set in Awadh which corresponded to the north eastern part of present day Uttar Pradesh with Lucknow as its capital. In 1956, Mirza Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh, was ousted from Awadh by the British East India Company and exiled to a suburb of then Calcutta where he meekly moved along with a small entourage. His second wife Muhammadi Khanum, endowed with the soubriquet Begum Hazrat Mahal after she gave birth to a son Birjis Qadr in 1845, chose to remain in Lucknow, declared her son the new Nawab and herself the regent for him. She liquidated her personal effects and jewelry et al and used the proceeds to raise an army basing it on soldiers willing to fight for her rather than for the British. She also raised a regiment of female soldiers who gave an excellent account of themselves. The book narrates a gripping journey of the see-saw battles and frays between her and the strongly entrenched and heavily armed British Residency in Lucknow.
A large number of prospective readers would know the basic history of the events that the book delves in. However, historical fiction takes over and drives lackluster history into the background with the Begum’s journey and that of other characters in the story driving the narrative. While the Begum, as the protagonist, remains the backbone of the story, insights into the other characters' interiority lend excitement to the story, raising expectations of “what next” with some unexpected surprises.
Major Kenneth Murphy, lusting after the Begum, Patricia’s brazen and wanton promiscuity, Kamala’s falling in and out of love with a British officer, and the platonic relationship - teetering on the verge of becoming something deeper --- between the Begum and Jailal, her military commander, keep the plot and sub-plots moving at a velocity that keeps the reader going. The internal struggles of the characters and their external reactions catch the character and ambiance of the period and place admirably.
This book would be of interest to anyone with a sense of history and a curiosity about India’s colonial past under the ignominious British Raj. Its estimated 65,000 words are a smooth and gripping page-turner. Recommended read for every Indian.
As the title announces, this historical fiction novel is about Begum Hazrat Mahal, who emerged in the most tumultuous period of Indian history when Indians first rose up in arms against a repressive British colonial stranglehold as a heroine (before the word hero became gender-agnostic!). The series of widespread armed uprisings took place in 1857 and were varyingly called the Sepoy Mutiny, Indian Mutiny and Indian Insurrection by the British and colonial press, while the Indian nomenclature, understandably, has been The First War of Indian Independence, or just The War of Independence.
The book is set in Awadh which corresponded to the north eastern part of present day Uttar Pradesh with Lucknow as its capital. In 1956, Mirza Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh, was ousted from Awadh by the British East India Company and exiled to a suburb of then Calcutta where he meekly moved along with a small entourage. His second wife Muhammadi Khanum, endowed with the soubriquet Begum Hazrat Mahal after she gave birth to a son Birjis Qadr in 1845, chose to remain in Lucknow, declared her son the new Nawab and herself the regent for him. She liquidated her personal effects and jewelry et al and used the proceeds to raise an army basing it on soldiers willing to fight for her rather than for the British. She also raised a regiment of female soldiers who gave an excellent account of themselves. The book narrates a gripping journey of the see-saw battles and frays between her and the strongly entrenched and heavily armed British Residency in Lucknow.
A large number of prospective readers would know the basic history of the events that the book delves in. However, historical fiction takes over and drives lackluster history into the background with the Begum’s journey and that of other characters in the story driving the narrative. While the Begum, as the protagonist, remains the backbone of the story, insights into the other characters' interiority lend excitement to the story, raising expectations of “what next” with some unexpected surprises.
Major Kenneth Murphy, lusting after the Begum, Patricia’s brazen and wanton promiscuity, Kamala’s falling in and out of love with a British officer, and the platonic relationship - teetering on the verge of becoming something deeper --- between the Begum and Jailal, her military commander, keep the plot and sub-plots moving at a velocity that keeps the reader going. The internal struggles of the characters and their external reactions catch the character and ambiance of the period and place admirably.
This book would be of interest to anyone with a sense of history and a curiosity about India’s colonial past under the ignominious British Raj. Its estimated 65,000 words are a smooth and gripping page-turner. Recommended read for every Indian.
August 22, 2023
While chroniclers of Indian history had written reams about our valiant kings and ordinary men who fought British imperialsts, they almost forgot about our courageous queens and other women, with few exceptions like Rani Laxmibai and a passing mention of Kittoor Chinnamma and a few others.
Our illustrious women writers like Malathi Ramachandran and Chitra Divakaruni have taken it upon themselves to resurrect these patriotc women to find a rightful place for them in the pages of history.
When our renowned historians preferred to restrict the immense courage and sacrifice of a lesser-known freedom fighter Begum Hazrath Mahal to just a few paragraphs, Malathi Ramachandran, in her latest historical fiction titled, "Begum Hazrath Mahal Warrior Queen of Awadh," has opened our eyes to this empowered queen who fought for our freedom with singleminded devotion. The author, with her uncanny ability to read stories hidden behind every historical artifact, has woven a fiction with history intact and in toto, making the book fascinating and informative. Her eyes and ears observe and assimilate the hidden past in dilapidated palaces of earlier centuries, and she recreates their lives with uncanny ease.
When Begum Hazrath's exiled husband, the Nawab of Awadh, Wajid Ali Khan, decides to move to Calcutta to enjoy his life with his cronies, his divorced wife Begum Hazrath Mahal, dares to stay back in Awadh to unite like-minded patriots to fight against the mighty British during the First war of Independence in1857.
When Begum is trying to ensure that her young son Birjis gets his rightful crown, her love is not limited to her son. Rather, her boundless affection for her dear Awadh and her limitless desire to drive the usurpers out act as her driving forces.
The story, built around our First War of Independence in 1857, otherwise known as Sepoy Mutiny, has two subplots intertwined in the midst of the mutiny, and each can be treated as a story in itself. Love, lust, infatuation, and revenge amidst death and destruction are poignantly visualized here, and the story of Kamala stands out.
A few lessons we learn about our freedom struggle through Malathi's book:
1. Women were no less patriotic than men, and they gave up everything near and dear to them for the sake of their motherland.
2. Secular Hindus and Muslims fought side-by-side, and religion never came in their way.
3. History is always written by the winner to suit his/her image and status.
Malathi's book kept me thinking how and why Indians fighting in their own soil to get rid of those mighty, greedy British rulers were called rebels, and why was their war called mutiny? A Britisher coined the term "Sepoy Mutiny," and it stuck forever.
Another thing that I admire about Malathi's writing is her balanced depiction of the First War of Independence, be it the destruction and death inside British Residency, or amongst fighting sepoys/warriors and their families.
I can give a five-star rating simply for the research she has undertaken, notwithstanding the smooth merging of fiction into facts. My only grouse, if one can call it so, is that at times, the tempo slows down. Is it because she tries to bring out every nuance of the rebellion in detail?
Read it, relish it, you will not forget it for a long time.
Our illustrious women writers like Malathi Ramachandran and Chitra Divakaruni have taken it upon themselves to resurrect these patriotc women to find a rightful place for them in the pages of history.
When our renowned historians preferred to restrict the immense courage and sacrifice of a lesser-known freedom fighter Begum Hazrath Mahal to just a few paragraphs, Malathi Ramachandran, in her latest historical fiction titled, "Begum Hazrath Mahal Warrior Queen of Awadh," has opened our eyes to this empowered queen who fought for our freedom with singleminded devotion. The author, with her uncanny ability to read stories hidden behind every historical artifact, has woven a fiction with history intact and in toto, making the book fascinating and informative. Her eyes and ears observe and assimilate the hidden past in dilapidated palaces of earlier centuries, and she recreates their lives with uncanny ease.
When Begum Hazrath's exiled husband, the Nawab of Awadh, Wajid Ali Khan, decides to move to Calcutta to enjoy his life with his cronies, his divorced wife Begum Hazrath Mahal, dares to stay back in Awadh to unite like-minded patriots to fight against the mighty British during the First war of Independence in1857.
When Begum is trying to ensure that her young son Birjis gets his rightful crown, her love is not limited to her son. Rather, her boundless affection for her dear Awadh and her limitless desire to drive the usurpers out act as her driving forces.
The story, built around our First War of Independence in 1857, otherwise known as Sepoy Mutiny, has two subplots intertwined in the midst of the mutiny, and each can be treated as a story in itself. Love, lust, infatuation, and revenge amidst death and destruction are poignantly visualized here, and the story of Kamala stands out.
A few lessons we learn about our freedom struggle through Malathi's book:
1. Women were no less patriotic than men, and they gave up everything near and dear to them for the sake of their motherland.
2. Secular Hindus and Muslims fought side-by-side, and religion never came in their way.
3. History is always written by the winner to suit his/her image and status.
Malathi's book kept me thinking how and why Indians fighting in their own soil to get rid of those mighty, greedy British rulers were called rebels, and why was their war called mutiny? A Britisher coined the term "Sepoy Mutiny," and it stuck forever.
Another thing that I admire about Malathi's writing is her balanced depiction of the First War of Independence, be it the destruction and death inside British Residency, or amongst fighting sepoys/warriors and their families.
I can give a five-star rating simply for the research she has undertaken, notwithstanding the smooth merging of fiction into facts. My only grouse, if one can call it so, is that at times, the tempo slows down. Is it because she tries to bring out every nuance of the rebellion in detail?
Read it, relish it, you will not forget it for a long time.
June 25, 2023
In her gripping historical novel "Begum Hazrat Mahal," Malathi Ramachandran takes us on an extraordinary journey through the struggles of the people of Awadh during British rule in India. Set in the backdrop of Lucknow Residence during the 1857 Revolution, this book offers a vivid and heartfelt account of the indomitable spirit of Begum Hazrat Mahal, who rose from being a dancing girl to becoming the Queen of Awadh and a fearless warrior.
Author's meticulous attention to detail brings the era to life, immersing the reader in the sights, sounds, and emotions of 19th-century India. From the grandeur of Lucknow's palaces to the humble setting of Shoeflower Cottage, the author paints a vibrant picture that allows readers to envision the scenes vividly.
The protagonist, Begum Hazrat Mahal, is a truly remarkable character. We witness her transformation from a marginalized dancer, to Mehak pari, to a dignified queen, and ultimately a valiant leader. The author skillfully portrays the complexities of her character, exploring her personal struggles, her love for her Country and her unwavering determination to protect her people.
The supporting characters in the book are equally compelling. Kamla, Vda, Patrick, and Miriam contribute to the narrative with their unique perspectives and experiences, adding depth and diversity to the story. Author expertly weaves their individual stories into the larger tapestry of the rebellion, creating a rich and multifaceted narrative.
One of the book's strongest aspects is its depiction of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The author's research is evident in the portrayal of the war scenes, where the unimaginable courage and training of the women warriors surprise even the enemy. The intense battles and the unwavering spirit of resistance make for compelling reading, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.
"Begum Hazrat Mahal" is not merely a historical account; it is a celebration of the human spirit and a tribute to the unsung heroes of India's fight for independence. Author masterfully combines history, drama, and emotion, ensuring that the reader remains engrossed from start to finish.
All-in-all, Malathi Ramachandran's "Begum Hazrat Mahal" is a captivating novel that beautifully captures the struggles and triumphs of the people of Awadh during British rule. With its engaging characters, vivid descriptions, and an enthralling narrative, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the rich history of India's fight for freedom.
Author's meticulous attention to detail brings the era to life, immersing the reader in the sights, sounds, and emotions of 19th-century India. From the grandeur of Lucknow's palaces to the humble setting of Shoeflower Cottage, the author paints a vibrant picture that allows readers to envision the scenes vividly.
The protagonist, Begum Hazrat Mahal, is a truly remarkable character. We witness her transformation from a marginalized dancer, to Mehak pari, to a dignified queen, and ultimately a valiant leader. The author skillfully portrays the complexities of her character, exploring her personal struggles, her love for her Country and her unwavering determination to protect her people.
The supporting characters in the book are equally compelling. Kamla, Vda, Patrick, and Miriam contribute to the narrative with their unique perspectives and experiences, adding depth and diversity to the story. Author expertly weaves their individual stories into the larger tapestry of the rebellion, creating a rich and multifaceted narrative.
One of the book's strongest aspects is its depiction of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The author's research is evident in the portrayal of the war scenes, where the unimaginable courage and training of the women warriors surprise even the enemy. The intense battles and the unwavering spirit of resistance make for compelling reading, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.
"Begum Hazrat Mahal" is not merely a historical account; it is a celebration of the human spirit and a tribute to the unsung heroes of India's fight for independence. Author masterfully combines history, drama, and emotion, ensuring that the reader remains engrossed from start to finish.
All-in-all, Malathi Ramachandran's "Begum Hazrat Mahal" is a captivating novel that beautifully captures the struggles and triumphs of the people of Awadh during British rule. With its engaging characters, vivid descriptions, and an enthralling narrative, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the rich history of India's fight for freedom.
September 12, 2023
// He had left without a backward glance. But Hazrat had no regrets. She had chosen the harder path of duty over the easier one of following him to his new world of revelry and decadence. A few lines of a poem that never left her drifted into her consciousness again.
𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒍 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒂, 𝒏𝒂𝒊𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊 𝒋𝒂𝒂𝒆
𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒌𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆, 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒊 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒚𝒂 𝒔𝒂𝒋𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒓𝒆
𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒂 𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒐 𝒋𝒂𝒂𝒆 𝑨𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒂 𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒊 𝒃𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒊 𝒃𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒉
𝒋𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒍 𝒈𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒂𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒊 𝒑𝒊𝒊𝒚𝒂𝒂 𝒌𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒉
𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒍 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒂, 𝒏𝒂𝒊𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊 𝒋𝒂𝒂𝒆 //
.
.
It is a book that depicts the struggle of the people of Awadh and their efforts to preserve their land amidst the British attempts to control, conquer and force them into complete submission.
.
History is replete with stories of kings and male warriors. And female warriors are often pushed into the historical shadows. But there has been women warriors who fought to defend their homes, to save their people, to save their culture, to win their freedom back from foreign powers, and such is the story of Begum Hazrat Mahal who we can say fought the first war of India's independence and played a leading role in this rebellion against the British.
.
Begum Hazrat Mahal, the second wife of Nawab of Awadh Wajid Ali Shah and his most loved begum, who decided to not leave Awadh when the British annexed Awadh, and Wajid Ali Shah was exiled to Calcutta. She remained in Lucknow with her son and took charge of the rebellion activities in Awadh and declared her minor son as the ruler of Awadh.
.
This is not my first novel by the author. I have read two other books of hers and that is why I decided to read this one and I must say she never disappoints, especially when she has done all the needed research and everything so well to fill out the characters surrounding the lead. I knew very little about Begum Hazrat Mahal before reading this novel, but the amount of information imparted in this retelling was excellent. The story is well structured with some back and forth timelines that worked well. The book delivered on both counts, what happened and what was going on in the minds of people on both the sides. The author brings those characters and cultures to life with a deep devotion to the details. And this is why I love historical fiction, not only can you enjoy the story but also get information about the history.
.
Overall I enjoyed reading it and I think readers interested in historical fiction will love it. Even if you're not interested in historical fiction, I would recommend giving it a shot.
𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒍 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒂, 𝒏𝒂𝒊𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊 𝒋𝒂𝒂𝒆
𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒌𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆, 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒊 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒚𝒂 𝒔𝒂𝒋𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒓𝒆
𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒂 𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒐 𝒋𝒂𝒂𝒆 𝑨𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒂 𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒊 𝒃𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒊 𝒃𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒉
𝒋𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒍 𝒈𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒂𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒊 𝒑𝒊𝒊𝒚𝒂𝒂 𝒌𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒉
𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒍 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒂, 𝒏𝒂𝒊𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊 𝒋𝒂𝒂𝒆 //
.
.
It is a book that depicts the struggle of the people of Awadh and their efforts to preserve their land amidst the British attempts to control, conquer and force them into complete submission.
.
History is replete with stories of kings and male warriors. And female warriors are often pushed into the historical shadows. But there has been women warriors who fought to defend their homes, to save their people, to save their culture, to win their freedom back from foreign powers, and such is the story of Begum Hazrat Mahal who we can say fought the first war of India's independence and played a leading role in this rebellion against the British.
.
Begum Hazrat Mahal, the second wife of Nawab of Awadh Wajid Ali Shah and his most loved begum, who decided to not leave Awadh when the British annexed Awadh, and Wajid Ali Shah was exiled to Calcutta. She remained in Lucknow with her son and took charge of the rebellion activities in Awadh and declared her minor son as the ruler of Awadh.
.
This is not my first novel by the author. I have read two other books of hers and that is why I decided to read this one and I must say she never disappoints, especially when she has done all the needed research and everything so well to fill out the characters surrounding the lead. I knew very little about Begum Hazrat Mahal before reading this novel, but the amount of information imparted in this retelling was excellent. The story is well structured with some back and forth timelines that worked well. The book delivered on both counts, what happened and what was going on in the minds of people on both the sides. The author brings those characters and cultures to life with a deep devotion to the details. And this is why I love historical fiction, not only can you enjoy the story but also get information about the history.
.
Overall I enjoyed reading it and I think readers interested in historical fiction will love it. Even if you're not interested in historical fiction, I would recommend giving it a shot.
February 4, 2024
“woh rutbaa paaya tha humne watan mein, usi ki badaulat hui ye ladai, Adoo banke aaye jo the dost apne, na thi jiski umeed, ki woh burai” (The glory that we had in our country, This fight is that for greatness, The enemies who came disguised as friends, Did that wrongs that we could never imagine) -Begum Hazrat Mahal, 1857
The white people who came in our nation, pretending to be good merchants, in time overpowered the nation and made the innocent countrymen their slaves and tortured them. But the anger for them raised in the mind of natives and it unveiled as the fire of revolt, revolt of 1857, the first war for Bharat’s independence. One of the leaders of this revolt was the warrior queen of Awadh, Begum Hazrat Mahal.
I first came to know about her in the last chapter of the book “Bravehearts of Bharat” by Vikram Sampath. The interest for know more about her were in my mind for a long time. Then this gem was published. But, it’s not a nonfiction, which has authentic proves backing every event of the book. But according to the author, “history tells us what people did; historical fiction helps us imagine how they felt”. I agree to this.
Born to a slave farmer, Muhammadi Khanum was sold to a middleman, who presented her in the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh and by the passing of time she became his begum who gave birth to their son Birjis Qadri. As, the power of the British invaders rose, nawab was transferred to Calcutta and Begum Hazrat Mahal (the nawab renamed Muhammadi to this name on their nikah) refused to go away from her beloved Awadh and its people. She was placed at chaulakhi kothi, which she received as a gift by the nawab. Angered by the wrongs did by the British invaders to her people, she started a rebellion by announcing her son Birjis as the 11th Nawab of Awadh. Then the real fight began.
Full with patriotic emotions, this book is gripping, thrilling and a fast read. This book is highly readable and must read for every patriotic Indians. This brave woman never lost her hope despite losing her trusted people one by one. So, her character is very much inspirational.
The white people who came in our nation, pretending to be good merchants, in time overpowered the nation and made the innocent countrymen their slaves and tortured them. But the anger for them raised in the mind of natives and it unveiled as the fire of revolt, revolt of 1857, the first war for Bharat’s independence. One of the leaders of this revolt was the warrior queen of Awadh, Begum Hazrat Mahal.
I first came to know about her in the last chapter of the book “Bravehearts of Bharat” by Vikram Sampath. The interest for know more about her were in my mind for a long time. Then this gem was published. But, it’s not a nonfiction, which has authentic proves backing every event of the book. But according to the author, “history tells us what people did; historical fiction helps us imagine how they felt”. I agree to this.
Born to a slave farmer, Muhammadi Khanum was sold to a middleman, who presented her in the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh and by the passing of time she became his begum who gave birth to their son Birjis Qadri. As, the power of the British invaders rose, nawab was transferred to Calcutta and Begum Hazrat Mahal (the nawab renamed Muhammadi to this name on their nikah) refused to go away from her beloved Awadh and its people. She was placed at chaulakhi kothi, which she received as a gift by the nawab. Angered by the wrongs did by the British invaders to her people, she started a rebellion by announcing her son Birjis as the 11th Nawab of Awadh. Then the real fight began.
Full with patriotic emotions, this book is gripping, thrilling and a fast read. This book is highly readable and must read for every patriotic Indians. This brave woman never lost her hope despite losing her trusted people one by one. So, her character is very much inspirational.
October 6, 2023
📚 Book Review: "Begum Hazrat Mahal: Warrior Queen of Awadh" by Malathi Ramachandran
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉Prepare to be transported to the enchanting world of 19th-century Awadh as you dive into this captivating historical fiction masterpiece. "Begum Hazrat Mahal" is a riveting saga that weaves together the indomitable spirit of a queen, the fight for freedom, and the power of womanhood.
👑 Hazrat Mahal, deserted by her husband, King Wajid Ali Shah, takes up the heroic challenge of battling the British Empire for the rights of her child and her people. Her unwavering courage and relentless determination to plan the attack against the British are nothing short of commendable. You'll find yourself rooting for this incredible warrior queen from start to finish.
🖋️ Malathi Ramachandran's storytelling is nothing short of exquisite. Her attention to detail is praiseworthy, painting a vivid and immersive picture of the era. From the opulent palaces to the bustling streets of Lucknow and the stoic British residency, every scene comes alive through her meticulously researched prose.
📖 This book seamlessly blends fact and fiction, allowing you to delve deep into the minds of the characters and experience the trials, tribulations, and brave actions firsthand. The camaraderie among diverse characters, irrespective of caste or creed, reflects the unity in diversity that defined this historic struggle.
🔥 "Begum Hazrat Mahal" is comfortably paced, keeping you engaged until the very last page. Whether you're a history enthusiast or not, this book is a must-read that deserves a spot in every book lover's collection. It's an inspiring testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the unyielding spirit of a true leader.
📖 In the end, Malathi Ramachandran has brought alive the forgotten pages of India's past and given us an opportunity to learn about the brave warrior queen of Awadh, Begum Hazrat Mahal. This is more than just a book; it's a journey through history and a celebration of womanhood's strength and valor.
Happy reading!
.
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉Prepare to be transported to the enchanting world of 19th-century Awadh as you dive into this captivating historical fiction masterpiece. "Begum Hazrat Mahal" is a riveting saga that weaves together the indomitable spirit of a queen, the fight for freedom, and the power of womanhood.
👑 Hazrat Mahal, deserted by her husband, King Wajid Ali Shah, takes up the heroic challenge of battling the British Empire for the rights of her child and her people. Her unwavering courage and relentless determination to plan the attack against the British are nothing short of commendable. You'll find yourself rooting for this incredible warrior queen from start to finish.
🖋️ Malathi Ramachandran's storytelling is nothing short of exquisite. Her attention to detail is praiseworthy, painting a vivid and immersive picture of the era. From the opulent palaces to the bustling streets of Lucknow and the stoic British residency, every scene comes alive through her meticulously researched prose.
📖 This book seamlessly blends fact and fiction, allowing you to delve deep into the minds of the characters and experience the trials, tribulations, and brave actions firsthand. The camaraderie among diverse characters, irrespective of caste or creed, reflects the unity in diversity that defined this historic struggle.
🔥 "Begum Hazrat Mahal" is comfortably paced, keeping you engaged until the very last page. Whether you're a history enthusiast or not, this book is a must-read that deserves a spot in every book lover's collection. It's an inspiring testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the unyielding spirit of a true leader.
📖 In the end, Malathi Ramachandran has brought alive the forgotten pages of India's past and given us an opportunity to learn about the brave warrior queen of Awadh, Begum Hazrat Mahal. This is more than just a book; it's a journey through history and a celebration of womanhood's strength and valor.
Happy reading!
.
July 28, 2023
The Journey of Normal woman Muhummadi was born in a village to Begum Hazrat Mahal(Warrior Queen of Awadh).
The book revolves around 1857 last Nawab of Awadh,who was captured by Angreez, now which is under the control of brave woman Hazrat, who hold British to enter in the awadh world...
The book starts with Kenney's officer who is working for the British but is very loyal to Hazrat because of her beauty and her intergellience .He never knew that Begum never fell for him...
Some other main characters in the novel are James Grant, and his mother Catherine their bonding, they treat people well even though they are British people.., Kamala is a Hindustan woman, who works for Catherine, James and Kamala like each other more....but due to her father death in a war, she started to hate him and move to veeraganis to fight for Hindustan...
A war is only for men, where women and children should be safe and secure is the rule of every country...but here Hazrat who fought for her Hindustan...by seeing her Uda, who joined later more and more women who had true fire against Angreez, they want to show their strength for Awadh. So Hazrat joined an army for all women in the name of veraginis where they were trained with arms and everything..got ready for the battle...
The fight between the Angreez and Hindustan Nawab started.
..more officer leaders are lost in the British military...Lawrence, Kenneth, and more where they never expected so a brilliant move from this side....but to know more about this book must buy and read....
I always loved this genre, and it happened in our country It was beautifully explained by the author...The language is very Lucid, which makes me finish the pages very easily...The map on the first page gives a clear picture of where the army fight happened and which route they took...the places and routes are very clear...I'll recommend this book to all who love to know more about India and also the battle against the British at Lucknow...
The book revolves around 1857 last Nawab of Awadh,who was captured by Angreez, now which is under the control of brave woman Hazrat, who hold British to enter in the awadh world...
The book starts with Kenney's officer who is working for the British but is very loyal to Hazrat because of her beauty and her intergellience .He never knew that Begum never fell for him...
Some other main characters in the novel are James Grant, and his mother Catherine their bonding, they treat people well even though they are British people.., Kamala is a Hindustan woman, who works for Catherine, James and Kamala like each other more....but due to her father death in a war, she started to hate him and move to veeraganis to fight for Hindustan...
A war is only for men, where women and children should be safe and secure is the rule of every country...but here Hazrat who fought for her Hindustan...by seeing her Uda, who joined later more and more women who had true fire against Angreez, they want to show their strength for Awadh. So Hazrat joined an army for all women in the name of veraginis where they were trained with arms and everything..got ready for the battle...
The fight between the Angreez and Hindustan Nawab started.
..more officer leaders are lost in the British military...Lawrence, Kenneth, and more where they never expected so a brilliant move from this side....but to know more about this book must buy and read....
I always loved this genre, and it happened in our country It was beautifully explained by the author...The language is very Lucid, which makes me finish the pages very easily...The map on the first page gives a clear picture of where the army fight happened and which route they took...the places and routes are very clear...I'll recommend this book to all who love to know more about India and also the battle against the British at Lucknow...
June 12, 2023
Begum Hazrat Mahal is the story of the warrior queen of Awadh. It is also the story of her love for Hindustan, her will to fight for the freedom of Awadh from the Britishers and the love of her people for her. We all have read in our history textbooks in school about the various fights that were fought to help India gain its Independence, this story should be a part of them too.
The book is written so beautifully, capturing not only the perfect essence of the story but also the emotions. Every incident taking place is so well described that I felt I was watching it myself. I'm someone who gets bored reading fight scenes but that didn't happen with this book at all. The engaging writing style kept me hooked to the book till the end. Each character has a role of their own and are given their due.
While the main story is having its own track, there are parallel stories running too providing the readers with the perfect blend of the backdrop information required to indulge more in the book. It also talks about different types of relationships and emotions that act as the pinch of salt required to make it the perfect serving for the reader, like love, friendship, motherhood, patriotism, loyalty, betrayal, companionship, sacrifice, loneliness, courage, pain, longing and loss.
I had heard about Begum Hazrat Mahal but wasn't aware of the whole story before reading the book. By the time I finished reading I was yearning to know more.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
The book is written so beautifully, capturing not only the perfect essence of the story but also the emotions. Every incident taking place is so well described that I felt I was watching it myself. I'm someone who gets bored reading fight scenes but that didn't happen with this book at all. The engaging writing style kept me hooked to the book till the end. Each character has a role of their own and are given their due.
While the main story is having its own track, there are parallel stories running too providing the readers with the perfect blend of the backdrop information required to indulge more in the book. It also talks about different types of relationships and emotions that act as the pinch of salt required to make it the perfect serving for the reader, like love, friendship, motherhood, patriotism, loyalty, betrayal, companionship, sacrifice, loneliness, courage, pain, longing and loss.
I had heard about Begum Hazrat Mahal but wasn't aware of the whole story before reading the book. By the time I finished reading I was yearning to know more.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
July 30, 2023
Begum Hazrat Mahal by Malathi Ramachandran is a historical fiction centering around the sepoy mutiny of 1857 and the role of Hazrat Mahal the queen of Awadh.
Currently I am obsessed with historical fiction and therefore I have picked this up the moment I got it. I have previously read two books of this author and loved them so much. This book compared to them I liked a little less.
Coming to the writing style it was really good. The pain and rage of the indians against the British oppressors and the picture of the that time period was brought out well. I wish there was more about Begum Hazrat Mahal in the book in place of some back stories of the British characters.
I loved the whole veerangani battalion of women who fought for freedom of their country. The contribution of women in this historical movement really moved me.
Overall I am glad to read this book because I didn't have detailed knowledge about 1857 mutiny. I feel that the historical fiction lovers will enjoy reading this book. I am looking forward to reading more books from this reader.
Currently I am obsessed with historical fiction and therefore I have picked this up the moment I got it. I have previously read two books of this author and loved them so much. This book compared to them I liked a little less.
Coming to the writing style it was really good. The pain and rage of the indians against the British oppressors and the picture of the that time period was brought out well. I wish there was more about Begum Hazrat Mahal in the book in place of some back stories of the British characters.
I loved the whole veerangani battalion of women who fought for freedom of their country. The contribution of women in this historical movement really moved me.
Overall I am glad to read this book because I didn't have detailed knowledge about 1857 mutiny. I feel that the historical fiction lovers will enjoy reading this book. I am looking forward to reading more books from this reader.
July 23, 2023
"Begum Hazrat Mahal: Warrior Queen of Awadh" is a must-read for history enthusiasts and fans of historical fiction alike. Malathi Ramachandran's captivating storytelling, attention to detail, and portrayal of a powerful female protagonist make this book an inspiring journey into the past. It serves as a heartfelt tribute to an unsung hero of India's struggle for independence, leaving readers with a profound appreciation for the indomitable spirit of Begum Hazrat Mahal.
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