Famous dynasties are remembered more often for their male heirs. As kings, conquerors, and founders of mega cities of today. But once in a while there emerge headstrong and courageous, yet compassionate female rulers who leave an indelible influence over a society. Unfortunately, we hardly find a worthy song in the books of history for those noteworthy warriors and queen regents that often. Unless we find a way to commemorate their mention, binding it to their tangible noble deeds present even today.
Hyderabad, my home for last three years, was founded by Quli Qutub Shah, the fourth monarch in Qutub shahi dynasty. His daughter Hayat Bakshi Begum was involved in administrative affairs from an early age. While the monarchs before and after her were more interested in expansion of their state and filling their treasury, this kind and compassionate lady was the lone respite for the subjects in her kingdom. Correcting the follies of her courtiers and an often inebriated son, the future emperor, Ma-saheba as she was often called, lent an ear to the miseries of her people.
One such noble deed she undertook to alleviate the suffering of her dried up state and its subjects was the construction of a water tank, which provided water for irrigation and drinking around Mallepally village of that era. This water body came to be known as "Ma-saheba ka talaab", Ma-saheba's tank as Britishers called it. Today, this locality is known in Hyderabad as Masab tank, bearing perhaps one of the very few souvenirs alive of this remarkable woman ruler and her immortal influence from that era.
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