asherxai: Trivial Pursuit 141

Paan Singh Tomar (1932-1981) with his family.

Tigmanshu Dhulia

After the extraordinarily well made and superbly acted "Paan Singh Tomar" (2012),
Tigmanshu Dhulia has announced his upcoming project, a film on the life of 'X'.

About X :

Real Name: Farzana Zeb un-Nissa

Husband's name (First) : Walter Reinhardt 'X'

Name Changed to Joanna Nobilis 'X' after her second marriage to a Frenchman named
Le Vassoult.

A portrait of 'X'

'X' was one of the most powerful women rulers of the 18th and 19th century India. She is regarded as the only Catholic Ruler in India, as she ruled the Principality of Sardhana (located approx. 80 km from Delhi and 20 km from Meerut).

The Church Basilica of Our Lady Of Graces, Sardhana, near Meerut, U.P.

In the year 1822, 'X' assigned an Italian architect called Anthony Reghelini to build the 'Basilica of Our Lady of Graces', a church dedicated to St. Mary.

Today, it is the largest church in North India and has a UNESCO World heritage site status.

X's statue at the church.

The statue of 'X' is raised on a three-tiered pedestal.

On December 13, 1961, Pope John XXIII decided to upgrade the Sardhana Church to the status of a Minor Basilica. It is said that the Pope grants the status of Basilica only to churches that are historically significant and beautiful.

'X' was a very rich and philanthropic lady. She sent the Pope at Rome Rs.1,50,000, a big sum in those days and Rs 50000 to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

She also built another church at Meerut, where the Roman Catholic Bishop was an Italian named Julius Caesar.

Shah Alam II a.k.a. Ali Gauhar

Shah Alam II a.k.a. Ali Gauhar, the predecessor and father of Akbar Shah, regarded 'X' as his daughter. He did so because she had saved Delhi from an army of 30,000 Sikh invaders who tried capturing Delhi, under Baghel Singh in 1783.

They had encamped at Tis Hazari (the name of the place being derived from the number of those who constituted the force, estimated at 30,000).

Thanks to the X's negotiations, the Sikhs did not enter the city and went back to Punjab after getting a generous monetary gift from Shah Alam II.

X's palace in Chandni Chowk, Delhi.

Akbar Shah II (Mirza Akbar)

The palace in Chandni Chowk was built in a garden gifted by Akbar Shah II (Mirza Akbar), to the Begum, when he ascended the throne after the death of Shah Alam II in 1806.

X's Palace / 'X' ki Haveli is now known as Bhagirath Place which houses Central Bank of India’s main Old Delhi branch.

The palatial building still stands in Chandni Chowk, New Delhi. The palace building is now occupied by the Central Bank of India. Soon after, the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II (Bahadur Shah Zafar), was held captive here by the British.

In 1940, the palace was bought by a merchant, Lala Bhagirath Mal, thus giving the building its name.

Today, Bhagirath Place is Asia's largest market for electrical goods and has become India's wholesale medicine supply warehouse for medical equipment and allopathic medicines.

Lord William Bentinck's letter to 'X' :

Lord William Bentinck was an excellent judge of character and the following letter will show how much 'X' had impressed him :

To Her Highness, 'X'.

My esteemed Friend,

I cannot leave India without expressing the sincere esteem I entertain for your highness's character. The benevolence of disposition and extensive charity which have endeared you to thousands, have excited in my mind sentiments of the warmest admiration; and I trust that you may yet be preserved for many years, the solace of the orphan and widow, and the sure resource of your numerous dependants.

Tomorrow morning I embark for England; and my prayers and best wishes attend you, and all others who, like you, exert themselves for the benefit of the people of India. I remain, with much consideration.

Your sincere friend,

(Signed)

M. W. BENTINCK

Calcutta March 17, 1835

Lord William Bentinck served as Governor-General of India from 1833 to 1835.