Marks she made: The art and Aarchitecture of Begum Samru is a biography of an Indian woman patron of art and architecture. Begum Samru (b. circa 1750–d. 1836) rose from the ranks of courtesans in Mughal Delhi to become the commander of her own mercenary army and ruler of the independent territory of Sardhana, 60 km northwest of Delhi. The begum (Urdu/ Hindustani title for noblewoman) was a trusted ally to the Mughal emperor and the English East India Company, two of the dominant political powers in north India at the time. As a sovereign ruler and devout Catholic, she corresponded with two popes and King Louis Philippe of France, exchanging portraits, architectural drawings, and letters with these and other powerful men. Art and architecture played a key role in establishing Begum Samru as a powerful but non-threatening ruler; as an upholder and patron of the Catholic faith in India; and as a political ally to the European and Indian factions vying for power in the Indo-Gangetic belt. Begum Samru’s art and architecture reflected the cosmopolitanism of her household, court, and army, which included those who identified as Italian, English, Armenian, Portuguese, Irish, or mixed race.

This book is included in DOAB.