Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy in the cutest way, check it outDeepika Padukone confirmed her second pregnancy with husband Ranveer Singh via an Instagram post. Published on: Apr 19, 2026 10:54 AM IST By Rishabh Suri Share via Copy link Baby Dua Singh Padukone's sibling
Nudging towards the completion of your academic years, you wish time would slow down indefinitely. The looming uncertainty is overwhelming, and you feel unprepared. Seniors and guardians around you are uncertain, even cagey, as you look to them for guidance through this unfamiliar cycle
Olympic heptathlon champion Anna Hall marries NFL star Darius Slayton in fairytale wedding at historic Oheka CastleOlympian Anna Hall marries NFL star Darius Slayton at Oheka Castle in New York, marking a new chapter in their love story. Published on: Apr 19
Javed Sheikh, Pakistani actor known to Indian audiences for playing Shah Rukh Khan’s father in Om Shanti Om, is now facing backlash after clips from his latest show went viral. The actor, who played Om Kapoor’s father in the second half of the film and many other Bollywood movies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned an official address to the nation into a political speech “full of mudslinging and outright lies”, the Opposition said on Saturday. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that Modi must “stop lying to the nation” that the draft legislation defeated by the
The life and lost verses of a 19th century courtesan
In a letter to Malka Jan in 1886, the poet Dagh Dehlvi had many things to say about Na’ala e Malka (Malka’s Lament), her composition in the masnavi form.
“The attribute of your community is ink, and your principle, freedom,” Dehlvi wrote. “You have amazing talent and your writing is as magnificent as your fate. Your masnavi is unique in aspect – brimming with flirtation, conceived in English and worded in Hindustani…”
Dehlvi’s words are evidence of Malka Jan’s renown as a woman of letters of the time. But this composition is now lost.
It isn’t the only one. The 19th century saw the emergence of several women Urdu poets, most of them tawaifs, but the works of these highly skilled courtesans were not preserved the way the verses of their male peers were. Writing spaces in North India were dominated by male poets like Ghalib, Zauq and Dagh while women’s voices went silent over time.
Moreover, women poets were often accused of having their lines ghostwritten by male admirers.
All that survives of their brilliant braiding of words is in tazkiras, or short biographies, which chronicled these women poets and published some of their lines.
Malka Jan’s first volume of poetry, Makhazana e Ulfat e Malka (Treasures of Malka’s Love), published in 1886 with notes of acclaim from prominent poets and tawaifs of the time – Hilal, Muhammad Jan tawaif, Abdul Ghafur Nassakh, among others – is preserved at the British Library and the Khuda Baksh Library, Patna.
Recently, the volume containing ghazals, thumris, holis and nazam compositions was republished by Shahid Saaz.
Malka was born to Eliza and Hardy Hemmings in 1857 and christened as Adeline Victoria Hemmings. No records of Hardy Hemmings, a British gentleman who lived and worked in India, have been found. Eliza was a Hindu woman, Rukmini, who converted to Christianity and became Hardy’s mistress or bibi. Hardy’s untimely death left Eliza and Adeline destitute. Eliza took up work in the dry ice factory in Azamgarh.
At the age of 16, Adeline met Robert William Yeoward, an engineer at the factory. They were married at the Holy Trinity Church in Allahabad. The marriage certificate mentions only Adeline’s mother, which confirms that she was born out of wedlock.
In 1873 a daughter, Eileen Angelina Yeoward, was born to the couple. She would later become Gauhar Jan, India’s first gramophone star.
Though most accounts state that Robert William Yeoward was Armenian, Liz Chater, an Armenian family researcher, asserts that he was actually of British descent. She traces his lineage to a British man, William Henry Yeoward, who came to India in 1809.
Chater writes that the Armenian descent theory comes from Malka Jan’s puzzling deposition in a case in 1890 where she said in English, “I was a Christian first and now I’m Armenian and when I was Christian, my name was Adeline Victoria Hemmings.”
As Armenians are generally Christians, one can speculate that she wanted to say that she lived in the Armenian quarters. The Armenian context also came up in another case involving Gauhar Jan.
Adeline’s marriage to Robert ended in 1879. Though there are no records of divorce proceedings, Vikram Sampath writes in his book, My Name is Gauhar Jan, that Robert suspected that Adeline was in a relationship with a neighbor with whom she shared a love of music and poetry. Adeline was possibly suffering from depression after the death of her second daughter, Lily.
According to burial records, the 20-day-old infant was buried at Azamgarh in 1876. Music and poetry were Adeline’s only solace in those days of grief.
Once again Adeline was cast adrift with the added responsibility of a young daughter and her mother. At this point in her life Khursheed, a cloth trader, came into her life and supported them. Adeline and her family relocated to Benaras. She converted to Islam and became Malka. Little Angelina was named Gauhar.
Recognising her talent and sensing the opportunity, Khursheed had Malka trained in music and dance under Ali Baksh, Zeenat Bibi and Kallu Ustad. He set her up on a kotha as Malka Jan tawaif. She came to be known as Badi Malka Jan to distinguish her from another, possibly younger, Malka Jan in Benaras.
Malka’s voice and poetry found recognition in the bustling town of Benaras. She started writing Urdu poetry and became a pupil of a famous poet, Hazrat Hakeem Sheikh “Hilal”. Malka’s almost seamless entry and acceptance into the staunchly guarded world of the tawaif lends credence to the assertion of researchers like Sampath that her mother was a courtesan or tawaif who gave up her profession to become a white man’s bibi.
It is also said that the young Adeline was educated at home, known for her singing, and showed an inclination towards the arts and literature. Tawaifs were the only women equipped to educate a child in dance, singing and literature.
In 1883, Nawab Mir Mehboob Ali Khan Asaf Jah Wali Dakkan invited Malka Jan to Calcutta. This was her chance to make a name for herself in the Fakhr e Hindustan, the shining capital of British India with its glittering salons and literary spaces. Initially, the family took up residence in a small house Colootola – the hub of kothas of tawaifs from Awadh, Benaras and Allahabad. But within three years, Malka Jan was able to buy a house next to the Nakhuda mosque for the exorbitant Rs 40,000.
The address, 49, Chitpur Road, became the measure of her success – it was the haunt of music aficionados, elites, princes and zamindars. She performed at Metiaburj, the palace of exiled Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh, at mehfils hosted by the elite of Calcutta and the bhadralok – the newly emerging educated middle class – as well as at the courts of princely states.
The publication of Makhazan Ulfat e Malka was a literary event and the pinnacle of Malka’s poetic success. She lived a luxurious life. She bought a phaeton and went on long drives with little Gauhar, who was training to step into a glamorous world and take the legacy forward. Khursheed’s murder was a setback for Malka and young Gauhar who believed him to be her loving father.
Fame and money gave Malka comfort and security but very often she would slip into a depressive state and seek solace in alcohol. Her ghazals plumbed the depth of her despair and loneliness. Her writing was appreciated by her contemporaries as well as modern scholars like Ram Babu Saxena for its intricacy of meter and “poetic power and skill”.
Malka’s great joy was Gauhar who was trained under the most illustrious ustads of Calcutta and often sang with her mother. Gauhar’s coming-of-age nath-utrai ceremony, when she would enter the world of tawaifs, ended in the disaster of her rape by an old raja. She became pregnant but the child was still-born – traumatic experiences that shattered the teenager.
Malka stood steadfast with Gauhar. She supported her through her recovery and inevitable rise to fame. But this took a toll on Malka. She sank deeper into depression and alcoholism. Gauhar was a devoted daughter and became Malka’s strength.
Once, while singing at mehfil, Malka started vomiting blood. Gauhar, who was performing in another city, rushed back and nursed Malka back to health. Recognising the precarious state of her health, Gauhar never left Malka’s side, taking her along on all performances outside of Calcutta.
Gauhar was a diva, a star who recorded 600 songs in several languages for the Gramophone Company from 1902 to 1920. Malka’s songs were also recorded. Malka delighted in Gauhar’s fame, laughing at her daugther’s audacity when she drove her phaeton on the British-only side of the road and at her cheeky salute to the “Laat sahab”, the Governor General, who mistook her for a queen and bowed.
Malka died in 1906 at the age of 50. Her legacy was her poetry, her songs and Gauhar Jan.
In Makhazana e Ulfat e Malka, she muses on the transience of existence and uncertainty of life
Ek haal mein insan ki barsar ho nahi sakti,
Ab rang tabiyat ka badal jaye to accha.
To exist in an unchanging state is an impossibility
It is prudent now to change the colours of self.
Tarana Husain Khan is a writer and culinary revivalist based in Rampur. Her latest novel, The Courtesan, Her Lover and I, was longlisted for the AutHer Awards.
Source: Scroll
Related Posts: Why Nepal Sent Gifts To China Every 5 Years – A Forgotten 19th Century Legacy 8 pieces of 19th century royal jewels gone in 7 minutes How 18th-19th century textile labels travelled the world with stories of India UK repeals 19th century law Vairamuthu criticises filmmakers for using his verses without permission India, Nepal To Begin 19th Edition Of Joint Military Exercise Why 16th-Century French Crown Jewels Worth $102 Million May Never Be Recovered Virat Kohli Needs Century In 3rd IND-SA ODI To Equal Babar Azam's Record Of 12th Century Karnataka Temple Is The Inspiration Behind Louis Vuitton’s Iconic Flower Motif Jagadeesan slams century as India A beat USA in T20 World Cup warm-up
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have suffered a major setback with young batter Ayush Mhatre sustaining a hamstring tear during their narrow 10-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). Batting coach Michael Hussey confirmed the injury after the match
2 minutes ago
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” - Mark Twain This is not a contrarian’s bumper sticker. It is a precise diagnostic tool from a man who spent his career watching crowds believe terrible things with complete confidence
2 minutes ago
April 19 Birthday Horoscope: Here's what the tarot cards have in store for youIf your birthday falls on April 19, here’s what your year ahead looks like, as per Tarot. Updated on: Apr 19, 2026 11:00 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link The combination of the Five of Pentacles and Nine of
2 minutes ago
Manchester City vs Arsenal Premier League Live Streaming: When, where and how to watch MCI vs ARS live on TV and onlineMCI vs ARS Live Streaming: Here are all the telecast and streaming details for the Premier League contest between Manchester City and Arsenal. Updated on: Apr 19
2 minutes ago
Global economic outlook faces uncertainty as seven weeks of Middle East conflict impact growth and inflation. Business surveys from Australia to the US will reveal the extent of deterioration, with stagflation risks looming. Policymakers grapple with responses amid persistent global uncertainty
2 minutes ago
West Bengal elections 2026: Political contests in West Bengal's Junglemahal are influenced by ethnic identity struggles. The Kudmi-Mahato community seeks Scheduled Tribe status, expressing disillusionment with the TMC government. Meanwhile, the Santal community prioritizes educational development
2 minutes ago
Several top BJP leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Hema Malini, and Bansuri Swaraj, led a massive crowd of protesters towards Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s residence after the Centre failed to push a Constitutional amendment legislation on women’s quota and two other bills
2 minutes ago
When workers in Noida took to the streets earlier this week, they did more than just focus attention on the unsustainably low wages that many Indian workers are paid. The spontaneous demonstrations across the Uttar Pradesh city also provided the opportunity for the country’s elite to blare out
2 minutes ago
Pakistan deploys 10,000 police as US-Iran talks speculation grows; no official date yetPakistan re-launched its diplomatic efforts to facilitate another round of talks in Islamabad for a final agreement to end the war between Washington and Tehran Updated on: Apr 19
2 minutes ago
Kolkata Knight Riders, struggling with one point from six matches under Ajinkya Rahane, face a strong Rajasthan Royals led by Riyan Parag. The Royals have shown consistent performances, aiming to extend their winning streak. This encounter at Eden Gardens, historically a high-scoring venue
2 minutes ago
In modern times, cancer treatment is not only about sustaining life but also about ensuring its quality. Advances in medical technology have introduced less invasive methods, more precise procedures, and treatment approaches that are increasingly sensitive to patients’ comfort
2 minutes ago
Kannur Dental College denies caste angle in BDS student death, cites loan app issueKannur Dental College denies caste angle in BDS student death, cites loan app issue Published on: Apr 19, 2026 11:32 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link Kannur , The management of Kannur Dental College
2 minutes ago
A plane bound for New York was forced to divert on Saturday due to a bomb scare. According to flight radar data, the United Airlines flight UAL2092 from Chicago was diverted to Pittsburgh after it sent an alert declaring “‘possible bomb" as the reason for its diversion
2 minutes ago
A gunman wielding an automatic weapon killed six people and barricaded himself inside a supermarket with hostages in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Saturday (April 18, 2026), before he was shot and killed by police, authorities said. At least 14 people were wounded and taken to hospital
2 minutes ago
In a letter to Malka Jan in 1886, the poet Dagh Dehlvi had many things to say about Na’ala e Malka (Malka’s Lament), her composition in the masnavi form. “The attribute of your community is ink, and your principle, freedom,” Dehlvi wrote. “You have amazing talent and your writing is as
2 minutes ago
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey has confirmed that Ayush Mhatre has suffered a hamstring injury and added that his absence will be a huge loss for the side. Ayush Mhatre, who scored 30 runs from 13 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2026
2 minutes ago
From New York’s East Village to the wider world, Chef Vikas Khanna has turned Bungalow into more than a restaurant: a place that carries memory, identity, and storytelling in every plate. Fresh off being named in TIME’s 2026 TIME100 , where he appears under the Innovators category
2 minutes ago
The has told it will not help with efforts to investigate tech billionaire 's social media platform X, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing a letter from the DOJ's Office of International Affairs, dated Friday.Paris prosecutors in February raided X's French offices and ordered
2 minutes ago
‘It gave me freedom’: Hyderabad woman defends 9 to 5 job amid ‘quit your job’ trendA Hyderabad woman said her 9 to 5 job gave her freedom, stability and dignity. Published on: Apr 19, 2026 11:30 AM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy link A woman from Hyderabad has struck a chord
2 minutes ago
Trump’s new approach to picking judges: A tighter circle and a personal touchDonald Trump prioritises loyalists and strong conservative voices in second-term picks, signalling a sharper ideological shift. Updated on: Apr 19, 2026 10:57 AM IST WSJ Share via Copy link Jeffrey Kuhlman was treated
2 minutes ago
Value mutual funds are equity mutual fund schemes that invest in stocks considered undervalued compared with their intrinsic worth. These funds aim to buy quality companies at reasonable prices and benefit when the market eventually recognises their true value
3 minutes ago
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday (April 7, 2026) participated in the 39th Convocation of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), where he said the university, which has over 14 lakh learners, including 56% women and 58% from rural and disadvantaged communities
3 minutes ago
Winning is so deeply embedded in our psyche that history is generally considered a chronicle of power; a list of who crushed whom and descriptions of rivalries amongst the strong. The destruction of Troy in 1193 BCE, Alexander’s defeat of Raja Purushothaman in 326 BCE
3 minutes ago
‘I got fired from my job’: Bengaluru woman says her life revolved around stress, deadlinesA Bengaluru woman shared how losing her job exposed burnout and a life consumed entirely by work stress. Updated on: Apr 19, 2026 10:41 AM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy link A Bengaluru woman
3 minutes ago
The UP government has issued a public notice to shops in Greater Noida for allotting them significant platforms in the residential areas of the city. Eligible candidates may start to apply from April 20 to May 4. Following verification, spaces will be allocated to individuals through a draw of lots
3 minutes ago
PM Modi in his address to the nation criticised the Opposition, particularly the Congress party, for allegedly spreading misinformation about the delimitation process and opposing women’s reservation in Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a televised address to the nation on Saturday
2 minutes ago
Category-Wise Expected Cut-Off For JEE Mains 2026: To estimate this year’s expected cut-off marks, candidates can refer to the category-wise cut-off marks of 2025 and 2024. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Paper 1 (BE/BTech) results soon
2 minutes ago
