THE FINAL RESTING (NOT) PLACE OF PRINCESS ZEBUNNISA;
SO UPROOTED BY THE TYRANNICAL BRITISH ADMINISTRATION.

It was mid 1950s, the family landed at the Delhi Old Railway Station, and while luggage was being collected, I was running about the large main hall of the station. It was a huge railway station, painted in bold red, and with white arches all around. Little did I know that I was running on the lost grave of Princess Zebunnisa. It is a long time back, and the memory is still fresh in my mind. This ruthlessness was spread all over, till Lord Curzon rescued the monuments later on, and the British awakened to the concept of retaining past cultures.

Princess Zebunnisa was the favourite daughter of Emperor Aurangzeb. When she completed the Holy Quran as Hafiz ul Quran, she was only seven years old. The Emperor had her weighed in gold. Relations were intact for years. Then the brother of Zebunnisa rebelled against his father, and she went on communicating with her beloved brother. Emperor Aurangzeb found out and had her freedom curtailed by assigning her in Salimgarh fort for a long time. Certainly it was not a prison but forced confinement, otherwise she was at liberty in doing most things. An intellectual Princess with books at her hand, what more she could ask. Till situation got better, and the rebellion of the son was crushed by the father. When the death of Princess Zebunnisa reached Aurangzeb, he literally wept, and ordered the building of her mausoleum in Tees Hazari garden in Delhi. Orders were given to three individuals, that meant Sayyid Amjad Khan, Attaullah Rushdi and his son Hafiz Hafeez, also known as Nur Muhammed Mimar. The official history Maaserai Alamgeeri records the order, and few historians have been able to decipher the order, for lack of identification of the three officials. The reason is simple: Attaullah son of Ustad Ahmad Mimar was a very old man by this time, and nobody knew who Hafiz Hafeez was in that context. The discovery of a Holy Quran written in the times of Emperor Farrukh Siyar cleared that. Double confirmation is that name and famous name, both are mentioned in official order, that is Hafiz Hafeez Urf Nur Muhammed.

It must have been a beautiful monument in line with other monuments built by Attaullah Rushdi for Emperor Aurangzeb, like the Mausoleum of Rabia Durrani, wife of the Emperor, in the city of Aurangabad, where the name is mentioned on the gate sill of the monument itself. History records movement there of intellectuals and poets, who used to rest there for its peaceful environment. Everything was smooth till the British administration decided to build the Rajputana Railway Station of Delhi on the monument itself. This was done in 1867 and the beautiful monument was razed to the ground by bulldozers. Only the inscription of the grave was left and it is still housed there in the Fort Museum, Delhi. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was the first to give an image of same. It is easy for us to include the same here, and no actual photograph is known to us.

This should clear the fazed minds of the moronic writers who continue to stick to the fantasy of the Mausoleum of Princess Zebunnisa at Nawankot Lahore. Some stupid clerk made the mistake a long time back and the official circles are stuck with same, including writers like Muhammed Lateef.  The Mausoleum in Nawankot is not the resting place of any lady, it is the resting place of a man. Historians like Dr Abdullah Chaghatai have isolated the name of the person buried there as Haji Abdul Kareem son of Saint Abdullah Sultanpuri . Research is available in his book Imakan Lahore. But even otherwise the grandeur of the place raises speculation. Some truths are never uncovered or by some freak of a chance. Certainly the place has nothing to do with Princess Zebunnisa.

A number of references are known about this mausoleum. Mirza Sabukatageen in his Sehr Manazil clarifies same in clear cut way. The writer Beale says same again. Mentioned in Punjab notes and queries. But one interesting reference is Shamas Ulama Muhammmed Hussain Azad who mentions spending time in the mausoleum with his tutor Maulana Zauq and his own father. But one step further they even had a portion of BALA KHANA repaired at their expense, for it was so peaceful and serene there. Amazing reference of olden times. Maulana terms it as a beautiful structure. Now gone without trace.

In Lahore we have a letter written by Zebunnisa in the Archives of Punjab Government. And various books in printed and manuscript form of scholars dedicating their literary efforts to Princess Zebunnisa. Abu Fatehs work image enclosed. And the remnants of her palace and garden at Aurangabad (known as Zenana Mahal), portion of which is now an Arts College these days. And ofcourse her hand written bayaz of poets with Chughtai Museum. But most of all her memory is ingrained in the hearts and souls of our people.

CONFUSION SURROUNDS PRINCESS ZEBUNNISA IN MOST WAYS;
NEW DISCOVERY BECOMES PHENOMENAL BAYAZ OF ZEBUNNISA.

It is strange that an iconic character like Princess Zebunisa, known to most people, should also include many references on which nothing can be said with full assertion. The so-called garden in Lahore is not hers, the Mausoleum in Lahore is not hers, the famous Diwan Makfi is also not hers. The doldrums of a segment of Indians to paint a nasty image of hers is absolutely wrong, as the accusations. We have already written a blog on her, which clarifies many things. It is time to talk of  phenomenal discovery of the centuries old lost Bayaz of Zebunnisa, which seems never got totally lost. History has to be retracted by now,

Legend and historical references assure us that Princess Zebunnisa was very fond of poetry and poets, and probably had one of the best libraries in the region. She was a woman of literary thoughts, and many men of letters dedicated their books in her name, and many of them still exist. For example her court supported Imamuddin Riazi, son of Lutufullah Ahmad Muhandis, and he was asked to write for her the ability to balance stanzas in poetry. That still exists in documentation form of manuscripts. A study of the Bayaz is required in depth.

The Bind
It is old but not of the time of Princess Zebunnisa. The Board inside the black leather is quite thick and hard, not the Mughal type. Gold bordered for importance. But bind made in relation to importance of manuscript.

The dates
Many dates are on the front and last page. It starts from 1112 AH to 1123 AH to 1185 AH to 1186 AH.

The place
The location is shown as Kabul, very clearly.

The title
Shown as Kitab Tazkirah Shaura Zebunnisa.

The condition
It is water drenched from all sides and full of small holes. But the holes are not of the type of termites. Very strange condition of manuscript. Ink spread at many places, more so of the red colour.

Contents
It has various verses totalling 500 with repetition of many poets. But still it is a long list.

Poets
Various poets of that period, including Begum, Tughra, Amir Khusro, Ghanimat, Sahib, Muhandis, Brahman, Faizi,Ghani Kashmeeri , Jalal Aseer, Shah Lutufullah, Ali Raza Tajali, Qasim Mashadi, Nasir Ali, Fani, Talib Qaleem, Hisari, Munir Lahori,. Khaki, Urfi, Baba Sinai, Mir Afzal Lahori, Nazeeri, and hundreds of others. 
However the list includes some of the rarest poets ever found in a Tazkirah of this kind. It is not the usual kind of compilation.

The Calligraphy
Most exquisite calligraphy with the hands of an accomplished calligrapher. In our view the calligrapher is Princess Zebunnisa herself.

The Inscriptions
Obviously a small pasting on the bind says it is Bayaz Zebunnisa Begum, but is there proof inside too. The earliest inscription says:
KITAB TAZKIRAH SHAURA 18TH SHABAN, 1112 HIJRI, MOAKAR ZEBUNNISA MUKAM KABUL.

Translated as:
BOOK COMPENDIUM OF POETS 18TH SHABAN, 1112 HIJRI, OVERDUE ZEBUNNISA PLACE KABUL.

It must be kept in mind that Princess Zebunnisa died in Delhi in 1114 AH, and was buried in the Tees Hazar garden of Jahan Ara. Princess Zebunnisa was certainly alive in 1112 AH, and who brought the Manuscript to Kabul. She herself or someone else.

Kabul was an important gateway for the Mughals. Governors ruled the place on behalf of Emperor Aurangzeb. Governor Amir Khan ruled that place till 1698 AD. The manuscript’s earliest date is 1700 AD. Princess Zebunnisa was alive at that time. She died in 1702 AD. The passage, in Delhi of the Bayaz from Aurangabad to Delhi to Kabul can only be imagined so far. Aurangzeb died in 1120 Hijri, or six years after his daughter’s death.

Postscript 
At times things are amazing. Around 24th September, 2025, the amazing things happened.  I woke up half asleep or awoke, really could not judge. Near the window with a Bayaz in her hands, Princess Zebunnisa sat on a bed looking out of the window. Sideways to me. She wore a pajama type of Mughal dress with a waist coat in half. She was not very fair, more brownish but with her presence I shuddered and awed at her presence. Did my research and presence moved her out of her dimension? A Hafizul Qur’an at age of seven years and with a tafseer to credit. Inspired by her aunt Jahan Ara. A literary figure in many ways. As a student of the Quran, she talks even of astronomy and ALIENS (will write later). As a lover of aesthetics, poets praise the Aineh Mahal of her movable TENT. She is many times blessed. Bigoted Hindus painted a blasphemous image  of the purest soul of our history.