Page 325 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter XVII. 293
was communicated to the Standing Counsol, who earnestly recommended a
further delay until it was certain that no appeal would bo preferred. Mr. Bell
wrote—
“ Although two years have now elapsed since the jadgment of the Appellate Court was
given I do not think that it would ho wise, in the face of the information given by the
Wasika Officer, to pay over the money, even if the lady be of full age. The absence of the
party from India, and the difficulties tho son might show he had to contend with, might
induce the Pi ivy Council to grant leave to appeal; and I am not sufficiently satisfied with the
judgments to say that, if leave to appeal were granted, a reversal to at any rate the extent of
ordering a remand might not be the consequence.”
G7 In February 1879 tho'Advocate-General was informed that an appli­
cation had been made to the Commissioner of Lucknow for a review of judg­
ment, which had been rejected, and that the defendant’s representatives wero
said to ho taking legal advico. Mr.Paul still held that the Government of India
could not safely pay any money to Kulsumnissa.

68. Kulsum Begum tried now to raise loans on the security of her title to
the cstato of the deceased Taj Mahal. She
General A., April 1879, Nos. 17-SS.
was said to have taken an advance of Rs.
45,000 from one Molisi Hakam Eliahu of Baghdad. The Political Agent
thereupon under orders from Government notified that they would undertake
no responsibility from any such advance. Kulsum Begum thereupon appealed
to Government and solicited that thoy would cither order her debts to be cleared
off or define her rights. The Political Agent was then told by Government to
inform her that they wore unable to pay her any further sums from Taj
Mahal’s estate until her title had been
Ibid, No. 23.
conclusively established by final court of
appeal and that no arrangements for her caro could bo made until she came
to Lucknow and placed herself under tho protection of the Chief Commis­
sioner. The Political Agent was also told to use every endeavour to prevent
Kulsum Begum from contracting an imprudent marriage or incurring debts.
(Telegram dated 14lh June 1878,)

69. In April 1S79 Colonel Nixon reported that Kulsum Begum preferred to
reside in Arabia, now that her rival Ramzan
General A., October 1879, Nos. 1—3. .
Ali had died. She feared also that she
would bo subjected to undue influence to marry a person against her wishes, if
6he went to India. Government informed the Political Agent to inform her
that they did not wish to press the matter further and that they considered
they had discharged in full their duty towards her.
70. In May 1879 Kulsum Begum announced her intention to marry her
first cousin Syud Askar Hossein, to whom
General A., October 1879, Nos. 4—11.
she had been long betrothed. Government
saw no objection to this marriage, which it was understood Colonel Nixon did
not consider imprudent. The marriage took place on 6th June 1879.
71. The Courier d'Orienta of the 27th January 1879 made certain allega­
tions of misappropriation of several orna­
General A., July 1879, Nos. 12—14,
ments belonging to the late Taj Mahal by
one Ahmed Aga, Native Agent of the Residency, said to be an Indian Nawah and
appointed by Colonel Nixon to look aftor the deceased’s property. Nawab
Ikbal-ud-Dowla was also said to he implicated in the affair. It was alleged
that the Ahmed Aga broke the seals of tho boxes in which the valuables were
placed and despatched all of them less some of the best which he appropriated
to himself, to the Consul-General at Baghdad. Colonel Nixons report was
called for.
72. Ahmed Aga was prosecuted and tried. But the result of his trial is
not kuown.