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 Remembering Mah Laqa Chanda Bai

 

April 7 is a historic day. India must commemorate today for today was the day Mah Laqa Chanda Bai was born. She was the first woman to have published a book of poems and was also the wealthiest woman of her time. However, Indian history barely has any mention of her. What an overlook! Closer home, it is only art enthusiasts who are familiar with the icon that Chanda Bai was. The rulers she served are world famous. It is the Nizams I am talking about. But the woman who was instrumental in guiding them in public policies or being alongside them at the battlefront is forgotten. It is surprising that a country like India which does not surpass names of people associated with wealth is also ignorant of Mah Laqa Chanda Bai’s existence.

Born on April 7, 1768, Chanda Bai was raised by a courtesan mother. Following in the footsteps of her mother, she also became a courtesan in the Nizam’s court. Growing up she was offered the best trainers to train her in various forms of art and skills related to state affairs. The young child blossomed into a woman of such talent that the Nizams sought her advice to manage the state.

The first book of poems the country saw was Chanda Bai’s ‘Gulzar-e-Mahlaqa’ with 39 ghazals in it. God almighty and life in deccan were the themes the poems followed. The opulent Nizam had gifted Chanda Bai with so many jagirs (properties) that she became the wealthiest woman of her time, which was distributed amongst homeless/destitute women, as she had wanted, after her demise.

Perhaps, it was her being a courtesan that the Indian sub-continent chooses not to give her an honourable position. At least, the poet community of the country should acknowledge her existence. Besides, language books that have a mandatory chapter on Shakespeare, Rudyard Kipling, and so many foreign authors must also introduce Chanda Bai to the students. So must History/Economics books talk about the wealthiest woman of her times, in India.

A fine poetess, even finer warrior

Chanda Bai was the jewel amongst courtiers

The Nizams sought her advice

For she had better understanding of the nuances of life

Archery, javelin, spear throw

She mastered all in a row

Her wealth exceeded like her glow

For Mah Laqa Chanda Bai

Was a woman of status high.

8.4.2026

I stayed indoors all day today. The good thing about staying indoors is that my skin feels better. By the way, I may soon have a grammar tutor to help me get thorough with the finer aspects of writing. He has scheduled a meeting with me tomorrow afternoon at the Country Club. I feel like King Geroge from The King’s Speech, but of course, I am announcing to the world of the upcoming classes.

Summer is catching on, unlike last years when it did not feel summer at all. In fact, there were a few days I didn’t realize I hadn’t turned the fan on. The year before the last year was terribly hot. It had begun soon in March. April was crazy. So was May. I liked the winter of 2025. It felt winter, unlike most years. I got to wear some warm clothes. Overcoat as well. I like winter for the clothes I get to wear, I used to like summer until some years ago because it soothed the unrest within me.