Badshah Begum
Badshah Begum, fl. 1820-37, Princess of Avadh. Wife of Nawab Ghazi-ud-Din Haider (d. 1827) she introduced many innovations in the practice of Shia observances, which caused considerable controversy. She later quarrelled with her son Nasir-ud-Din Haider over the legitimacy of Munna Jan which she claimed was his son and heir. After the death of Nasir-ud-Din Haider (d. 1837) she placed Munna Jan on the throne as his successor, but she and Munna Jan were forcibly evicted by the British forces, and Muhammad Ali Shah was placed on the throne instead. The Begum and Munna Jan were arrested and exiled to Kanpur, and then confined in Chunar Fort near Varanasi.
