A Begum and A Rani

A Begum and a Rani

Hazrat Mahal and Lakshmibai in 1857

Rudrangshu Mukherjee

This book explores the roles played by Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh and Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi in the 1857 revolt against the British. It focusses on their lives and afterlives, examining why Lakshmibai became a celebrated nationalist icon while Hazrat Mahal, who had led the uprising in Awadh, died in relative obscurity became largely forgotten in public memory.