India, Feb. 15 -- The Nawabi era in Lucknow is not characterised by the brutality or bloodshed often linked to medieval regimes globally. This relative absence of violence may have contributed to the stability of their seemingly lackadaisical rule. Intriguingly, however, it appeared that a few women folk of the Nawabi 'zenana' had no qualms about committing murder most foul, as we shall explore. Ghazi-ud-Din Haider, the first king of Awadh, despite his extensive harem, found himself without a legitimate heir to the throne - a predicament possibly stemming from his tumultuous relationship with his principal consort, Badshah Begum, described as a 'bold and imperious woman.' In this scenario, it was a maidservant named Subh Daulat, who had been raised to the status of the fourth begum with the title of Nawab Mumtaz Mahal, whose offspring ultimately ascended as the second king of Awadh. Ironically, Subh Daulat had been the maid-in-waiting for Badshah Begum. After the child was born, the mother of the newborn child was killed with 'unsurpassable cruelty' at the instigation of the furious Badshah Begum. The begum wanted to kill the child too, but was prevented from committing the horror by her courtiers. The child was to become Nasir-ud-Din Haider, the second king of Awadh, under the tutelage of Badshah Begum herself. Upon ascending to the throne, one of Nasir-ud-Din's initial actions was to construct a mausoleum for his mother at Jhankar Bagh, where she had been hastily interred in a graveyard designated for the impoverished. During his childhood, Nasir had a deep emotional bond with Badshah Begum; however, their relationship became strained following his ascension to the throne. This change might have been influenced by the intrigues of his own courtiers. Towards the end of his days, Nasir became increasingly aware of conspiracies in the court to kill him. His trusted major domo, George Derusett, formerly a barber in the royal court, had left for Calcutta and then to England permanently (discussed in an earlier article). Despite his controversial antecedents, George had faithfully kept a close watch on the personal safety of the king, including the food and drink that he was served. Now, fearful for his life, Nasir took to drinking water from a personal well, which was locked, the key being with the king at all times. But his predilection for low bred women proved to be his downfall. Among the numerous women of this ilk who had entered his life, from Sukh Chain and Dulari to Qudsia, another woman now entered the scene, with her sister. This woman was Dhania Mehri, who, as expected, rose to dizzying heights in the royal court within a short time, being conferred the regal title of Afzal un-Nisa. She eclipsed other court officials and began to attend to the personal comforts of the king, despite her official title being merely 'daroga' or superintendent of the female attendants in the royal household. Nasir died on the night of July 7, 1837, having been poisoned to death, presumably by Dhania Mehri and her younger sister Duljeet, possibly at the instigation of the British. Dhania is still remembered because of a bridge built by her in the old city which is extant as 'Dhania Mehri Ka Pul.' She is also credited for constructing two mosques, an Imambara, and 'langar khana' during her brief yet tumultuous presence in Nasir's court. Amjad Ali Shah, the second last king of Awadh, known for his pious nature was addressed respectfully as 'Hazrat.' However, despite his religious bent of mind and righteousness, he became enamoured by a comely maidservant in his household, who later met with an 'accident', which disfigured her for life. There had been whispers in the palace that one day, she would be the mother of a royal child. She had begun to be treated with respect by the others, and called by higher titles. And now, here she was, her beauty gone forever, her face and neck burnt with some explosive substance or firework, while she had been sleeping. This 'accident' had been apparently engineered by Malika Kishwar, the Khas Mahal (mother of Wajid Ali Shah). The king then married the young daughter of a fruit and flower seller, who used to bring flowers inside the palace. She was given the title of Malika Ahad, but was not allowed to enter the palace by the Janab-e-Alia Malika Kishwar, even though the former later gave birth to a son. It was only during the dying moments of Amjad Ali that mother and son were allowed to meet the ruler and pay their respects. Amjad Ali Shah had died due to a carbuncle or virulent boil on his shoulder. As usual, eyebrows were raised on his unusual death; assassination was suspected - the needle of suspicion pointing to Alam Ara Begum, chief consort of Wajid Ali Shah, who would later become the Khas Mahal. There had been previous assassination attempts on Malika Kishwar herself: at one point of time, the mouthpiece of her hookah had been found to have been smeared with some poisonous substance. In another incident, a cobra had been found in her bedroom. The comatose snake had been brought in an earthen pot and deposited near the foot of the queen's bed. But who would benefit the most, if Malika Kishwar died or Amjad Ali Shah was removed from the scene? But these remained conjectures. Wajid Ali Shah was anointed as the last king of Awadh on the same day, even as his father's corpse lay in state, awaiting a royal funeral. The sounds of guns firing and people cheering for the new ruler drowned the wails and lamentations for the dead ruler by his queen and her attendants. PC Sarkar, a former scientist, has authored several books on the forgotten heritage of Lucknow...