Women From History BOT~ Courtesans, Mah Laqa Bai ~
Mah Laqa Bai (1768–1824) was an Indian 18th century Urdu poet, courtesan (tawaif) and philanthropist.
In 1824, she became the first female poet to have a diwan (collection of poems) of her work, a compilation of Urdu Ghazals named Gulzar-e-Mahlaqa, published posthumously. She lived in a period when Dakhini (a version of Urdu) was making its transition into the highly Persianized Urdu. Her literary contributions provide insight into such linguistic transformations in southern India.
Mah Laqa Bai was an influential courtesan of the Deccan; the Nizam, ruler of Hyderabad, appointed her to the omarah (the highest nobility), and as a close affiliate at the court, she was discussed on state policies and accomplished assigned diplomatic engagements. An expert in spear throwing and archery, she accompanied Nizam II in three battles, hunting expeditions and camping.
Painting : Mah Laqa Bai dancing in the court of Raja Rao Rambha Bahadur, by Khushhal Khan
#art #arthistory #history #womenshistory #womenofhistory #historyofwomen #womenfromhistory #painting
Mah Laqa Bai (1768–1824) was an Indian 18th century Urdu poet, courtesan (tawaif) and philanthropist.
In 1824, she became the first female poet to have a diwan (collection of poems) of her work, a compilation of Urdu Ghazals named Gulzar-e-Mahlaqa, published posthumously. She lived in a period when Dakhini (a version of Urdu) was making its transition into the highly Persianized Urdu. Her literary contributions provide insight into such linguistic transformations in southern India.
Mah Laqa Bai was an influential courtesan of the Deccan; the Nizam, ruler of Hyderabad, appointed her to the omarah (the highest nobility), and as a close affiliate at the court, she was discussed on state policies and accomplished assigned diplomatic engagements. An expert in spear throwing and archery, she accompanied Nizam II in three battles, hunting expeditions and camping.
Painting : Mah Laqa Bai dancing in the court of Raja Rao Rambha Bahadur, by Khushhal Khan
#art #arthistory #history #womenshistory #womenofhistory #historyofwomen #womenfromhistory #painting
