The lonely death of Ali Raza, a prince who died a pauper
A life of isolation
Begum Wilayat Mahal moved into a 14th-century building with her two children in 1985 and chose a life of isolation.
The last member of her family, son Ali Raza, quietly passed away in September, alone and unwept.
The last member of her family, son Ali Raza, quietly passed away in September, alone and unwept.
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Delhi's jungle prince
Lonely in life, 'Prince' Ali Raza was also lonely in death.
As the police found his lifeless form on a couch on September 2, a tumultuous chapter that had inspired many a gossipy tale for over 30 years, came to an end.
As the police found his lifeless form on a couch on September 2, a tumultuous chapter that had inspired many a gossipy tale for over 30 years, came to an end.
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Royals living in a railway station
Raza, his sister Sakina, and their mother Begum Wilayat Mahal, had made it to the headlines in the 1970s by claiming to be the direct descendants of the last king of Avadh, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah.
Mahal had occupied the first class waiting lounge at New Delhi Railway Station along with her two children, a pack of hounds, and a few servants.
Mahal had occupied the first class waiting lounge at New Delhi Railway Station along with her two children, a pack of hounds, and a few servants.
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Nothing less than palace
She had refused to settle for anything less than a palace; and a palace was indeed given to her, only a 14th-century one.
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The Malcha Mahal
Known then simply as Bistadari ruins, it was a 14th-century shikargah or a hunting lodge believed to have been built by Sultan Feroze shah Tughlaq.
Located in the heart of Lutyens' Delhi, it came to be known as Malcha Mahal as it faced Malcha Marg.
But this happened once Wilayat Mahal came to stay there with her kids, dogs and attendants.
Located in the heart of Lutyens' Delhi, it came to be known as Malcha Mahal as it faced Malcha Marg.
But this happened once Wilayat Mahal came to stay there with her kids, dogs and attendants.
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A recluse family
However, the family chose a life of isolation right from the beginning. Protected by the ferocious canines, the family wouldn't let anyone come anywhere near their 'palace'.
A signboard was put up, warning of terrible consequences for any feat of derring-do.
A signboard was put up, warning of terrible consequences for any feat of derring-do.
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Wilayat Mahals' suicide
But life at the ruins was hard without water and power. The family wrote to the authorities several times for repairs and other help.
On September 10, 1993, Mahal committed suicide and her children slipped into depression following that.
Four years ago, Sakina died too, leaving Raza all alone in this world.
On September 10, 1993, Mahal committed suicide and her children slipped into depression following that.
Four years ago, Sakina died too, leaving Raza all alone in this world.
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A mysterious survival
A guard at a nearby ISRO earth station said even policemen were not allowed in.
“He had many dogs earlier, but I saw only one in the last one year,“ he said, adding that he would see Raza cycle towards the main road at times, but never saw him carry groceries.
Nobody knew how Raza survived.
“He had many dogs earlier, but I saw only one in the last one year,“ he said, adding that he would see Raza cycle towards the main road at times, but never saw him carry groceries.
Nobody knew how Raza survived.
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Ruins of Malcha Mahal
Entering the premises of the ruinious Malcha Mahal, the only thing that one can find still in order is a dining table with cups, kettle and plates stacked neatly; and a dying plant by the table.
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The prince who died a 'pauper'
What was more striking was a tall glass filled with water on the table. Maybe dinner was just about to begin when Raza had breathed his last that night.
It was hard to make out, though, if Raza had lost his life, or life had lost him.
He was buried at a cemetery near Delhi Gate with some help from the Waqf Board.
It was hard to make out, though, if Raza had lost his life, or life had lost him.
He was buried at a cemetery near Delhi Gate with some help from the Waqf Board.
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