| Oswal Auctions > Auction 100 | Auction date: 8 October 2023 |
| Lot number: 170 Price realized: Unsold | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Miscellaneous Awadh, Queen Taj Mahal begum, Silver Chapras Badge / Medallet, 137.45g, Dated AH 1275 (AD1858-59), with Farsi legend "Chaprasi Mulazim Sarkar Nawab Taj Mahal Sahiba Sanah Hijri 1275" engraved on a bezel bracketed by two fishes holding a crown. Taj Mahal Sahiba was the Queen of Nawab Nasiruddin Haidar of Awadh, crowned as his chief queen at his coronation in 1828 while only fourteen years old. She was famous for her exquisite beauty and the king was madly in love with her. In 1829, she became the recipient of 6000 Rs/ Month out of the interest the East India Company paid to the king on a loan of 62.5 lac rupees that he extended to the British. This gave a very comfortable income and with it followed a life of luxury and decadence even after the death of Nasiruddin Haidar. In 1849 Taj Mahal was put under a house arrest by the orders of Wajid Ali Shah, for having an affair with Kalbe Hussain, the son of the law minister of the state. Taj Mahal requested Wajid Ali permission to visit Shia holy sites in Iraq and soon after her departure Kalbe Hussain also fled to Iraq. The two were married at Najaf and lived happily till her death in 1881, visiting courts of Iran and Turkey. Taj Mahal left a large portfolio of properties back in Lucknow and it is possible that this badge comes from an employee of her household even while she lived abroad. Estimate: 250000-300000 INR |  |
