The Haunted Legacy of Malcha Mahal: Myths, Lies, and Tragedy

Malcha Mahal’s haunting tale is one of grand claims, isolation, and ultimate tragedy. This 14th-century hunting lodge in Delhi Ridge, built by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq, became the backdrop for a family that lived a life shrouded in secrecy, surrounded by myths of royal descent, and eventually exposed as impostors. The story, when unraveled in its entirety, reveals a complex interplay of historical trauma, personal identity, and societal neglect.

The Background: Partition and Displacement

The roots of this story lie in the upheaval caused by the Partition of India in 1947. During this turbulent time, millions of families were uprooted, forced to migrate to either India or Pakistan based on their religious identities. One such family was that of Wilayat Butt, who would later adopt the name Begum Wilayat Mahal. Originally from Kashmir, the Butt family relocated to Pakistan during the Partition.

It was here, amidst the chaos of a divided subcontinent, that the seeds of this elaborate story were sown. Wilayat, facing hardships in Pakistan, returned to India in the 1950s with her younger children, Ali Raza (Cyrus) and Sakina, leaving behind her elder son, Salahuddin Butt, who became a Wing Commander in the Pakistan Air Force. This return to India marked the beginning of their attempts to establish a new identity as displaced royalty.

The Rise of a Royal Persona

To gain sympathy and recognition, Wilayat crafted a narrative claiming that she was the great-granddaughter of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last ruler of Awadh (modern-day Uttar Pradesh). This claim placed her among the most illustrious Muslim aristocracy in India’s history, positioning her as a victim of colonial injustice.

Her protests began in the 1970s when she and her children took up residence in the VIP waiting room of New Delhi Railway Station. This dramatic protest, with the family living amidst ornate furniture, pet dogs, and remnants of “royal” artifacts, became a spectacle. Newspapers and the public became fascinated by their story, seeing them as tragic remnants of a bygone era, dispossessed of their rightful heritage.

The Indian government, under pressure to resolve the situation, offered the family Malcha Mahal, an abandoned Tughlaq-era hunting lodge in Delhi Ridge, in 1985. This move, though appearing generous, was also a way to sideline their demands without fully addressing them.

Life in Malcha Mahal: Isolation and Mystery

Malcha Mahal, a crumbling structure surrounded by dense forest, lacked basic amenities such as electricity and running water. The family, however, moved in and turned it into their fortress of isolation. Their lives within the Mahal were marked by secrecy and eccentricity:

• Strict Privacy: The family prohibited outsiders from entering the premises. Guard dogs roamed the property, and a sign at the entrance ominously declared: “Entry Prohibited. Intruders Will Be Shot.”

• Limited Public Interaction: Prince Ali Raza, or Cyrus, was the only member who occasionally ventured out. He would cycle into the city to purchase food, primarily for their dogs, and was known for his gaunt appearance and regal yet tattered attire.

• Eerie Silence of Sakina: Princess Sakina was never seen in public after moving to Malcha Mahal. Her complete withdrawal added to the mystique surrounding the family.

• Rumors of Treasures and Hauntings: The family’s enigmatic existence led to urban legends. Locals whispered about hidden treasures within the Mahal, and the dilapidated structure’s eerie ambiance fueled stories of hauntings.

Tragedy Strikes: The Death of Begum Wilayat Mahal

In 1993, Begum Wilayat Mahal reportedly died by suicide. According to her children, she consumed powdered diamonds, a supposed ritual reserved for royalty. Her body was not buried or cremated immediately; instead, it was kept inside the Mahal for days before being interred within the compound.

The death of the matriarch left Prince Ali Raza and Princess Sakina to fend for themselves. With no connection to the outside world, they became even more reclusive.

The Decline of the Family

As the years passed, the siblings lived in near-total isolation. Prince Ali Raza was occasionally spotted, cycling to purchase supplies, but interactions were rare. Princess Sakina remained hidden, leading many to believe she may have died earlier or left the Mahal.

Their deteriorating physical and mental health was evident. The harsh living conditions in Malcha Mahal, coupled with their refusal to integrate into society, took a toll on their well-being.

The Revelation: The Jungle Prince of Delhi

In 2019, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ellen Barry published an exposé in The New York Times titled “The Jungle Prince of Delhi.” Barry’s investigation unraveled the elaborate myth constructed by the family:

1. Real Identity:
   Begum Wilayat Mahal was born Wilayat Butt, the widow of Inayatullah Butt, a registrar at Lucknow University. Her family’s roots were traced to Kashmir, not Awadh.

2. Connection to Pakistan:
   Wilayat’s eldest son, Salahuddin Butt, served as a decorated Wing Commander in the Pakistan Air Force. This starkly contradicted her claims of royal heritage and victimhood, as her family had strong ties to Pakistan.

3. The Role of Trauma:
   The family’s fabricated narrative appeared to be a coping mechanism for the trauma of displacement during Partition. Wilayat’s attempts to claim royalty may have been a desperate bid to find identity and security in post-Partition India.

The Final Chapter: Death of Prince Ali Raza

In 2017, Prince Ali Raza was found dead in Malcha Mahal, his body undiscovered for days. This marked the end of the family’s presence in the Mahal. Princess Sakina had disappeared long before, and her fate remains unknown to this day.

Malcha Mahal Today

Malcha Mahal stands abandoned, a decaying relic of history and mystery. Urban explorers and paranormal enthusiasts frequent the site, drawn by its eerie ambiance and the tragic story of its occupants. The Delhi government has expressed interest in restoring the structure, but efforts remain limited.

Legacy of Malcha Mahal and the Imposter Begum

The story of Malcha Mahal and Begum Wilayat Mahal is a tragic reflection of displacement, identity, and human resilience. While their claims of royal lineage were debunked, their story continues to captivate the imagination of those who encounter it. It is a tale of how history, myth, and personal trauma intertwine, leaving behind a haunting legacy.

Malcha Mahal remains more than just a historical monument—it is a symbol of a family's struggle to belong and the myths they wove to survive.