The Eternal Abode of a Valiant Queen
Hindustani Masjid - Baghbazar
Kathmandu - Nepal

1959
Photo Courtesy:
Prince Nayyer Quder

1959
Prince Nayyer Quder with G.N.Koirala - PM of Nepal

1978
Photo Courtesy:
Website Author

2001
Photo Courtesy:
Dr. Javed Iqbal - M.B.B.S Kathmandu

Begum Hazrat Mahal refused to give up her right to the kingdom of Oudh and spurning all tempting offers of amnesty, pension and royal status, she retreated in stages towards the northern frontiers of Oudh with her son king Birjis Qadr and thousands of faithful freedom fighter's in tow. Soon after Queen Victoria's proclamation of Nov 1, 1858, she issued a counter proclamation exposing the deceit and diplomacy of the mighty usurpers of the native states of India and encouraged her followers to carry on the struggle. She organized protracted guerilla war against the british throughout the districts of Oudh. Relentless pressure however obliged her to seek political asylum in Nepal. It was readily given with a palace in Burf Bagh, Kathmandu, and a military commission to Birjis Qadr in exchange of the jewellery and treasure that the Queen had with her, She had a mosque built for her faithfuls on the main boulevard of the city. This came to be known as Hindustani Masjid and it was in the courtyard of the mosque that she was buried in April 1879. There was a public clamour on the occasion of the centenary of 1857 War of Independence deploring that the mosque and the graves were uncared for. Prince Nayyer Quder, the Queen's great grandson visited Kathmandu to meet the dignitaries there to draw their attention to it and on a representation from him and others, Late Pandit Nehru, then Prime Minister of India assured the Indian Parliament that the Government of India would look in to the matter. Now we hear that the Government of Nepal has taken over the mosque complex, retained and maintained the historic structure and built a 3 story mosque known as the Jama Masjid of Kathmandu.

1959
Photo Courtesy:
Prince Nayyer Quder

1978
Brig S.A.H. Rizvi &
Prince Anjum Quder

1978
Photo Courtesy:
Website Author

2001
Photo Courtesy:
Dr. Javed Iqbal - M.B.B.S Kathmandu