Dhania Mahrin
Dhania Mahrin, 1827-37, maidservant. One of the most colourful figures in the history of the Nawabs of Avadh, she was originally a maidservant in the imperial household. When Nasir-ud-Din Haider became the king of Avadh in 1827, she became his personal maidservant and later his most trusted confidante. The suspicious King trusted Dhania Mahrin only, and she came to exercise great influence over him. She was also awarded liberally by the eccentric Nasir-ud-Din, and soon became a very rich person. It is believed that she was bribed by the British to poison the King, who died in 1837. She used her wealth for public purposes, and the ‘Bridge of Dhania Mahrin’ still stands in Lucknow. A painting of Dhania Mahrin dressed in gorgeous robes, painted by a contemporary artist, is in Lucknow Museum.
