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 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 Sultan’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.
