Begum Hazrat Mahal was a prominent figure in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against British colonial rule. Born in 1820 in Faizabad, she was the wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last ruler of Awadh. After the British annexed Awadh, she played a crucial role in leading the resistance and became a symbol of courage and defiance. She took charge of the rebellion in Lucknow, where she declared her son as the ruler and rallied support from various factions. Despite her efforts, the rebellion was ultimately suppressed, and she fled to Nepal, where she lived until her death in 1879.