India, Oct. 5 -- We find ourselves fascinated by the tale of Begum Hazrat Mahal, who valiantly opposed the British in Lucknow during the tumultuous years of 1857-58. However, another remarkable figure emerges from the annals of Nawabi history- a Begum who rebelled against Nawabi rule itself. This lesser-known chapter of Awadh history is intriguing. In the year 1775, Asaf-ud-Daula ascended the masnad (administrative seat) of Awadh, having already wed Shams un-Nisan, known later as Dulhan Begum, in a grand ceremony held in 1770, when he was a young prince. This momentous union had been marked by opulence, with Rs 24 lakh invested in the wedding festivities at Faizabad, graced by the presence of the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and his entourage. Unfortunately, Shams un-Nisan, who later stayed in the Macchi Bhavan fort at Lucknow, after shifting of the capital city from Faizabad, had a failed marriage with Asaf-ud-Daula - the latter showing no interest in her. But even greater misfortunes were in store for her. Following the death of Asaf-ud-Daula in 1797, Wazir Ali Khan briefly took the helm for a mere six months before being deposed, paving the way for Sa'adat Ali Khan in 1798. As this new Nawab Wazir asserted his power, he took it upon himself to confiscate a portion of Shams un-Nisan's revenues-whom he referred to as Bhabhi Begum-while disregarding her entreaties. In the face of such indignities, Shams un-Nisan sought recourse from the British Resident, laying forth her grievances and expressing her desire to abandon Awadh for the Company's territories, with Allahabad as her preferred destination. On September 1, 1812, John Baillie, the British Resident, apprised Neil Edmonstone, the Chief Secretary, that Shams un-Nisan had finally departed from Lucknow, making her way to her jagir (estate) at Pertaubghur (Pratapgarh), situated approximately 12 kos from the city (with 1 kos being roughly equivalent to 3.2 km). Her intention was to remain there briefly before venturing into British territory, where she could establish her subsequent residence. Notably, Sa'adat Ali Khan had sent her a conciliatory letter, which she had resolutely chosen to ignore. The Begum remained adamant with her demands, but on Baillie's request, she agreed to postpone her journey, when actually, she proceeded anyhow. Edmonstone pointed out that the feud between the two had been going on for a long time, and the prospect of any reconciliation between Sa'adat Ali and the Begum appeared to be remote; earlier the Begum had proposed that she may be allowed to proceed on pilgrimage to Karbala, and that the earnings from her jagir should be remitted to her, after collection by her own servants. Another long-standing demand of the Begum was that the provisions supplied to her from the Nawab's kitchen be commuted for an annual payment to be remitted to her. By October 1812, Shams un-Nisan upped the ante by demanding that the dues accruing to her be remitted to her regularly through the British government, irrespective of where she finally resided. And more importantly, these dues should also include the incomes from her hereditary properties in Delhi. She also submitted a list of houses and estates in and around Delhi, which, she claimed, should be restored to her. The British capitulated to her wishes and agreed to provide her with the necessary protection and regard befitting her rank and status, but more was yet to come. Sa'adat Ali demanded a true valuation of the Begum's jagir, for determining the revenue generated from it. After Shams un-Nisan finally arrived in Allahabad on December 16, 1813, she protested vehemently against this clause of Sa'adat Ali, and threatened to proceed to Calcutta and petition the Governor General in person. In fact, she had already sent a detailed prayer addressed to the Governor General, in which she had given details of the persecution and maltreatment meted out to her. In the meantime, Sa'adat Ali also hardened his stand, by flatly refusing to personally placate the estranged Begum; he also reported to the Resident that his own son-in-law had met the Begum and implored her to return, but was ignored. The Nawab stated that his responsibilities towards his sister-in-law ceased on the day she crossed over to live in the company's territory. Sa'adat pointed out that he was not in possession of the Begum's properties in Delhi; also the claim for those properties would legally rest on her brother, Imam-ud-Din Khan, now deceased, and after him, to her nephew Hussain-ud-Din Khan. The Nawab further asserted that the Begum was being misguided by certain vested interests and the decisions taken by her were not her own. Shams un-Nisan a.k.a. Dulhan Begum died in Allahabad, shortly after settling there. Her remains were brought to Lucknow and interred in the Asafi or 'Bada' Imambara, adjacent the grave of her husband, Asaf-ud-Daula. The credit for this final act of sentiment goes to Ghazi-ud-Din Haider, who succeeded Sa'adat Ali Khan as Nawab Wazir in 1814. The writer, a former scientist, has authored several books on the forgotten heritage of Lucknow...