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2 unusual facts about Begum Samru


Begum Samru

She died at Sardhana in January 1837 at the age of 85, bequeathing the greater part of her property to David Ochterlony Dyce Sombre, who descended from Walter Reinhardt Sombre, from his first wife.

Shah Alam, the predecessor and father of Akbar Shah, regarded Begum Samru as his daughter.


David Ochterlony Dyce Sombre

Sombre was great-grandson of a mercenary soldier Walter Reinhardt alias Sombre, whose second wife was the famous Begum Samru who made her grandson-in-law George Sombre, and then his son Dyce Sombre her heirs.

Shah Alam II

After ten horrible weeks during which the honor of the royal family and prestige of the Mughal Empire reached its lowest ebb, loyal subjects and allies of Shah Alam II, led by Farzana Zeb un-Nissa, Ismail Beg, Mirza Shafi, Asaf-Ud-Dowlah and Mahadaji Shinde fought their way into Delhi.

Thankful for her intervention, the blind Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II welcomed and bestowed special honors upon Farzana Zeb un-Nissa in the Red Fort and declared her to be "his most beloved daughter".


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