‘Indigenous Critique’ of Raj

Begum Hazrat Mahal’s Rebuttal to Victoria’s Proclamation of 1858

Abstract

This article explores the role of Begum Hazrat Mahal during and after the Revolt of 1857, highlighting her leadership, political agency, and enduring legacy. Although she ruled in the name of her son, Birjis Qadr, the real authority rested with her, as she commanded the loyalty of the talluqdars and zamindars, who fought under her. The widespread phrase “Khalq Khuda ka, Mulk Badshah ka, aur Hukm Rani ka” captures her de facto sovereignty during this turbulent period. Even during the encampment, while fighting the Company government in 1857-58, Begum Hazrat Mahal used other tools of resistance.  Her rebuttal to Queen Victoria’s proclamation reveals the contradictions and deceptions within colonial rhetoric. This paper situates the rebuttal within the larger discourse of anti-colonial resistance, examining its intent and impact. Begum Hazrat Mahal’s voice, through her response, foregrounds the agency of a woman. It challenges the patriarchal narratives that often marginalize women’s voices in histories of rebellion. The significance of her reply and the document lies in understanding both the Revolt of 1857 and the early intellectual resistance to British rule. The paper underscores the enduring relevance of Hazrat Mahal’s challenge to colonial authority and the legacy of her defiance in shaping anti-colonial thought.