Zenat MahalDelhi
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Zeenat Mahal was the favorite queen of Bahadur Shah II who was incidentally last of the Mughal emperors and was very much alive during the Sepoy Mutiny, also dubbed as the first war of independence by many historians.
The empress being a strong woman that she was didn’t like the British Empire meddling into the affairs of the state that was reduced to a state of dependency.
Zinat Mahal was angered by one Mr Metcalfe who took unnecessary interest in the functioning of the palace affairs. Zeenat Mahal might have had her way in dealing with this particular gentleman as the latter died under mysterious circumstances.
Once the first war of independence got over Zeenat Mahal and Bahadur Shah Zafar were exiled to Rangoon in Burma. The fact that an entire palatial building was dedicated to her doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone considering the importance that was accorded to her by her Emperor husband. The palatial building sharing the same name as that of the occupant Zeenat Mahal and is located to the west of Hauz Qasi in Lal Kuan Bazaar of Old Delhi.
The palace was full of luxurious items and was decorated with murals and other expensive items which were there to please the queen. The house was a symbol of luxury with all the components being provided by the rich merchants of Chandni Chowk. Zeenat Mahal was attended by a battery of servants and she used to receive the Emperor in grand style, which would often include beating of drums and other musical instruments.
However nothing of that sort remains today as the palace is a former shadow of itself and it remains in a pathetic condition and the condition is becoming worse with every passing day.
The place is facing serious negligence and one imposing gateway, some arched pavilions and the outer wall, are that remain today. Catch a glimpse of them till it remains.
The empress being a strong woman that she was didn’t like the British Empire meddling into the affairs of the state that was reduced to a state of dependency.
Zinat Mahal was angered by one Mr Metcalfe who took unnecessary interest in the functioning of the palace affairs. Zeenat Mahal might have had her way in dealing with this particular gentleman as the latter died under mysterious circumstances.
Once the first war of independence got over Zeenat Mahal and Bahadur Shah Zafar were exiled to Rangoon in Burma. The fact that an entire palatial building was dedicated to her doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone considering the importance that was accorded to her by her Emperor husband. The palatial building sharing the same name as that of the occupant Zeenat Mahal and is located to the west of Hauz Qasi in Lal Kuan Bazaar of Old Delhi.
The palace was full of luxurious items and was decorated with murals and other expensive items which were there to please the queen. The house was a symbol of luxury with all the components being provided by the rich merchants of Chandni Chowk. Zeenat Mahal was attended by a battery of servants and she used to receive the Emperor in grand style, which would often include beating of drums and other musical instruments.
However nothing of that sort remains today as the palace is a former shadow of itself and it remains in a pathetic condition and the condition is becoming worse with every passing day.
The place is facing serious negligence and one imposing gateway, some arched pavilions and the outer wall, are that remain today. Catch a glimpse of them till it remains.
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