Sultana, the great-granddaughter of Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar reduced to a life of poverty; she is alive and lives here in India

India’s history is rich with the legacies of dynasties that once ruled vast territories, but for many descendants of these royal families, their wealth and status are now just distant memories. One such story is that of the fascinating Sultana Begum, the great-granddaughter-in-law of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor. Once part of a powerful and respected lineage, Sultana now lives in stark contrast to the luxury her ancestors once enjoyed. Residing in a cramped hut on the outskirts of Kolkata, she faces daily struggles that speak to the decline of a once-mighty empire and the neglect of its descendants. Her life is not only full of personal hardships but also the larger issue of how India’s former aristocrats were left in the hands of poverty after the collapse of the Mughal dynasty and British colonial rule.

Who is Sultana Begum?

Sultana Begum, a 60-year-old woman who is the great granddaughter to the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, now lives in a tiny two-room hut in Howrah, one of Kolkata’s poorest areas. Once part of the grand Mughal heritage, Sultana’s current life is a far cry from the royal palaces her ancestors once inhabited. She shares this cramped space with her family, relying on public street taps for washing and sharing a kitchen with neighbors. The woman, who once had access to luxury, is now facing the hardships of living in a slum.

Who was Bahadur Shah Zafar to Sultana?

Bahadur Shah Zafar, Sultana’s great-grandfather-in-law, was the last Mughal emperor, ascending to the throne in 1837. By this time, the once-mighty Mughal Empire had already been greatly weakened by British colonial power. When the Indian Rebellion of 1857 erupted, Zafar became a symbolic leader of the revolt, but after its failure, he was exiled to Rangoon (now Yangon, Myanmar) where he died in 1862. Although Zafar’s legacy was important in India’s history, it did not protect his descendants from the harsh realities that followed the collapse of the Mughal dynasty.

Why did Sultana’s life become tragic?

Sultana’s life took a dramatic turn in the 1980s after the death of her husband, Prince Mirza Bedar Bukht. Since then, she has struggled to survive on a modest pension of just 6,000 rupees a month, barely enough to support her six children. Despite her royal lineage, Sultana has not received any support from the government. Though she has made numerous petitions asking for assistance, her financial situation remains dire. Her daughters, also struggling financially, cannot offer much help, and Sultana lives with her unmarried daughter, Madhu Begum.

Sultana has received help from non-governmental organisations

Human rights activists have advocated for Sultana and others like her, which also shows the huge contrast between their royal heritage and their present living conditions. Many former aristocrats have faced poverty after the fall of the Mughal dynasty and British colonial rule, leaving their descendants to fend for themselves. Though Sultana is proud of her family’s royal blood, she has struggled to secure stable employment. She had also made several attempts at running a tea stall and making ladies' clothing but it did not generate enough income to support her family.

Sultana Begum’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of how time can change fortunes. From royal lineage to struggling for survival, her life reflects the forgotten history of many former aristocrats. While NGOs and activists have offered some help, her struggles continue.

Sultana Begum’s situation also raises an important question-- should the government or society do more to support the descendants of historical figures? While India proudly preserves Mughal-era monuments and history, many of their heirs have been forgotten. The difference between the Mughal Empire’s once-great legacy and the struggles of its surviving descendants shows how history is honored in words but not always in action.

Who was Bahadur Shah Zafar?

Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor of India, was born on October 24, 1775, in Delhi. He ascended the throne in 1837 during a period when the Mughal Empire had significantly declined, with his authority restricted to the Red Fort in Old Delhi. Despite his limited political power, Zafar was an influential figure in the cultural realm, renowned for his poetry, music, and calligraphy. He wrote under the pen name "Zafar," and his verses reflect a deep understanding of love, loss, and spirituality.

In 1857, Zafar became the leader of the Indian Rebellion against British rule, though his role was largely ceremonial. The uprising marked the last significant effort to challenge British dominance, but it was ultimately suppressed. After the rebellion, the British captured Zafar, tried him for treason, and exiled him to Rangoon (present-day Yangon, Myanmar) in 1858. He lived out his final years in exile, enduring hardships and isolation, and passed away on November 7, 1862.

Bahadur Shah Zafar’s legacy, however, extends beyond his tragic exile. He remains a symbol of resistance and the end of an era in Indian history. His poetry, filled with themes of sorrow, patriotism, and longing for his homeland, continues to be remembered and recited today. His life and downfall serve as a poignant reminder of the changing tides of power, the fragility of dynasties, and the enduring impact of colonial rule on India’s heritage and its people.