Zubeida Begum was a name that sparkled in the world of Indian cinema during the 1950s. Known for her talent and beauty, she became a beloved actress in the early years of Bollywood. But behind the glamour of the silver screen, Zubeida’s personal life was filled with tragedy, forced decisions, and a mysterious death that still raises questions today. This is the untold story of a woman who went from being an actress to the Maharani of Jodhpur, only to meet a tragic end that left everyone stunned.
The Early Life of Zubeida Begum, Also Known as Vidya Rani
Zubeida Begum, who later became known as Vidya Rani, was born into a well-known Muslim family. Her father, Qasimbhai Mehta, was a wealthy businessman, while her mother, Faiza Bai, was a singer. Despite coming from a conservative background, Zubeida was drawn to the world of cinema and began her career as an actress. But her family, especially her father, was strictly against her choice.
Zubeida’s father tried to control her life at every turn. When Zubeida converted to Hinduism, taking the name Vidya Rani under the Arya Samaj customs, it was not out of her own choice, but due to external pressure. Later, her father forced her to marry Maharaj Hanwant Singh of Jodhpur. It was a marriage that would change the course of her life forever, but not in the way anyone expected.
Forced into Royalty: Zubeida’s Marriage to Maharaj Hanwant Singh of Jodhpur
On December 17, 1950, Zubeida’s life as an actress came to an abrupt end when she married Maharaj Hanwant Singh of Jodhpur. The marriage was not one of love but one that was forced upon her by her father. Despite this, she became the younger queen of Hanwant Singh and moved to Jodhpur, where her life would be filled with both luxury and heartbreak.
In 1951, Zubeida gave birth to a son, Rao Raja Hukum Singh, marking a new chapter in her royal life. However, this was not her first marriage—Zubeida had previously been married, and she had another son named Khalid Mohammed from that relationship. Khalid Mohammed would later go on to write the script for the film Zubeida, which was based on his mother’s life and starred Karisma Kapoor in the lead role.
The Royal Family’s Rejection and the Life Outside Umaid Bhawan Palace
Zubeida’s entry into the royal family of Jodhpur was anything but smooth. Despite being married to the Maharaja, Zubeida was never accepted by the royal family because of her background as a Muslim and an actress. This led to a significant rift between Maharaj Hanwant Singh and his family.
As a result, Hanwant Singh left the grand Umaid Bhawan Palace and moved with Zubeida to Mehrangarh Fort, where they began a new life away from the royal spotlight. However, this decision didn’t shield them from tragedy. Just a year later, both Zubeida and Hanwant Singh died in a mysterious plane crash.
The Mysterious Plane Crash That Took Zubeida’s Life
The year 1952 marked the tragic end of Zubeida’s life. She and Maharaj Hanwant Singh were both killed in a plane crash that shocked the entire nation. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear to this day. While some say it was an accident, others believe there was foul play involved. The crash didn’t just take their lives but left a cloud of mystery hanging over Zubeida’s legacy.
Their son, Rao Raja Hukum Singh, was just a year old at the time of the crash. After his parents’ untimely deaths, he was raised by his stepmother, Rani Krishna Kumari, whom Hanwant Singh had married in 1943 when she was just 16 years old.
A Tragic End for Zubeida’s Son: The Gruesome Death of Rao Raja Hukum Singh
Zubeida and Hanwant Singh’s tragic end was not the final chapter in this haunting tale. Years after their deaths, a new tragedy struck. In 1974, Rao Raja Hukum Singh was accused of attempting to murder a police officer by pointing a gun at him. The Rajasthan High Court dismissed the charges, citing that it was not an attempt to kill since he had not fired the weapon.
However, just seven years later, in 1981, Rao Raja Hukum Singh’s body was found in a shocking state—his head had been severed, and his body was left on the road. His death remains one of the most gruesome and mysterious cases in the history of Rajasthan. While some say it was a suicide, others believe it was the result of royal rivalry. Even today, no one knows the real reason behind his murder.
The Legend of Zubeida’s Spirit Haunting Umaid Bhawan Palace
Zubeida’s tragic story doesn’t end with her death. According to local legend, her spirit continues to roam the halls of Umaid Bhawan Palace, where she was never truly accepted. Locals believe that Zubeida’s soul is still trapped in the palace, wandering through its grand rooms.
Years ago, it was said that her spirit was locked inside a room at a nearby royal school through the use of occult rituals. Even today, many of the rooms in that school remain sealed, adding to the eerie atmosphere that surrounds her story.
Zubeida’s Career and Struggles in the Film Industry
Before becoming the Maharani of Jodhpur, Zubeida had a budding career in Indian cinema. She was featured in the film Usha Kiran, which was completed but never released due to her father’s disapproval. He was so against her acting career that he once stormed onto a film set with a gun, forcing her to quit the industry. Eventually, Zubeida’s dreams of becoming a renowned actress were shattered, and she was forced into a life she never wanted.
Zubeida’s life is one of the most tragic stories in the history of Indian cinema. From her rise as a star in Bollywood to her forced marriage and mysterious death, her story is filled with heartbreak, mystery, and unanswered questions. Even today, her legacy lives on, not just through the films she left behind but through the haunting tales that surround her memory.
