Maqbara Mah Laqa Bai Chanda — Local services in Hyderabad

The Mausoleum of Mah Laqa Bai

Gulzar-e-Mahlaqa” is a collection of 39 Urdu ghazals composed by Chanda Bibi, also known as Mah Laqa Bai. This marks the first ‘Diwan’ authored by a woman. Her life and dedication to Maula Ali are truly captivating.

Chanda Bibi not only received an extensive education but also served as a warrior in the Nizam’s army, donning male attire. The Mausoleum of Mah Laqa Bai, situated in Secunderabad at the base of the hill leading to the Maula Ali shrine. She found her final resting place beside her mother in a garden complex known as Ailchi Baig. This compound, following the chaar bagh system, features a central pavilion and four surrounding gardens. The walled enclosure includes an Ashurkhana, a caravanserai, two stepwells, and a mosque. She had this pavilion built for her mother in 1792, and the Nizam later built her tomb beside her mother in 1824. Her extensive library in her Nampally residence was later merged with the collection of the Salar Jung Museum.

The Nizams awarded her with Jagir (lands) on various occasions, that include the neighborhoods of Hyderguda, Chanda Nagar, Syed pally and Adikmet.

The huge chunk of land, on which the Osmania University was constructed in late 1930s, belonged to Mah...

I am being a proud Hyderabad born Canadian. I went up Moula Ali hill scores of time but I don’t know the gem of Urdu literature is buried just beside Moula Ali Alaisalaam hill. I got my education in English medium but due to my mother tongue and my own appreciation to urdu poetry I salute this great personality of Mah Laqa Bai Chanda. History shows Osmania University land and property once belonged to her and millions of people getting educated from this great University where I am also a small drop of water from this vast Educational ocean. Thanks...

One of the few places in Hyderabad commemorating the legendary courtesan, poet and devout Shi'a, Mah Laqa Bai 'Chanda' who is famous for being one of the first women to be a sahib-i diwan (author of a poetry collection) in Urdu. The site was renovated a decade ago, and the tomb itself is situated inside a Persian-style chaharbagh with two pavilions flanking the main structure. A functioning mosque is also present at the back. Mah Laqa Bai is buried alongside her mother,...