Death
Begum Samru died at the age of 90 in 1836. Since the Begum was a Muslim before transformation, she was denied to be buried at the Sardhana Church but a monument for her tomb was allowed in her honour. Then her close friend Begum Umdaa who was born in the Jagirdar family of Sardhana and married to Zafte Khan, then Jagirdar of Meerut, gave land for her cremation from her property which is now situated near the NAS College, Meerut.
Her grandson, through her stepson, David Ochterlony Dyce Sombre, died in 1851 at London from where his body was brought to Sardhana and buried beside the Monument of Begum's Tomb in the imposing church she had built there.
It is now known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Graces, and is the centre of two annual pilgrimages in March and November when thousands come to bless the Begum and pray to the Virgin Mary. Begum Samru set an astonishing example of feminism and religious freedom in her own person at a time when there was no public conception of these values. She also inspired large numbers in her kingdom to adopt the Roman Catholic faith.
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Famous quotes containing the word death:
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