Qudsia Bagh: This morning walkers’ paradise was once a symbol of a queen’s ambition, a casualty to 1857 aftermath

Subject: History

Section: Art and Culture

About Qudsia Bagh:

Qudsia Bagh is an 18th-century garden complex and palace located in Old Delhi, India.
The complex was constructed in 1748 for Qudsia Begum, the mother of Mughal emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur.
The garden is situated in North Delhi, a short walk from the Kashmere Gate Metro Station.
It is situated north of the old city.
Formerly a splendid palace, it belonged to the heir apparent before falling into disrepair.
Large parts of it were destroyed during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
The buildings in this garden were severely damaged during the summer of 1857 when they fell in the line of fire that was exchanged between the Indian troops who were holding the city.

About Qudsia Begum:

Qudsia Begum, born Udham Bai was a wife of Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah and mother of emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur.
She was early born an administrator and served as de facto regent from 1748 to 1754
She was introduced to Muhammad Shah’s harem in the beginning of his reign
A Hindu by origin, Udham Bai had been formerly a public dancing girl..
She considered herself the Noor Jehan (wife of Emperor Jahangir) of her times and fashioned herself into a Queen Mother.
She remote-controlled the empire since Ahmed Shah was considered a weak king.
She sought a legacy and, like Noor Jehan, wanted to build monuments that would give people something to remember her by.
Qudsia Begum commissioned various public and private works in Delhi.
The Sunehri Masjid near the Red Fort was constructed between 1747 and 1751 for Nawab Bahadur Javid Khan.