Begum Samuru's Church and Palace

Documenting the Properties of Begum Samru at Sardhana, Meerut Priyankita Pant | Gopika Thapaliyal

Introduction

Begam Samru, who ruled the Principality of Sardhana in the 18th and 19th century, was an important political ďŹ gure of that time. Believed to have started her career as a nautch (dancing) girl, she inherited her power from Walter Reinhardt Sombre (Samru), her European mercenary husband.

She accumulated vast wealth during her lifetime and had properties in Chandni Chawk, Badshahpur-Jharsa and Sardhana. She also built a church in Sardhana.

Basilica of Our Lady of Graces, Sardhana,

Begum Samru’s Palace,

Basilica of Our Lady of Graces, Sardhana, Meerut

Basilica of Our Lady of Graces is a church dedicated to Virgin Mary built

by Begum Samru, regarded as the only Catholic ruler in India.

She converted to Roman Catholicism in 1781 and adopted the name Joanna Nobilis. The Church is the largest in North India and took 11 years of construction work and cost around rupees 4 Lakhs. It was opened in 1822.

The architect of the Church was an Italian called Antonio Reghellini. The Church is based upon St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Palladio and some Indian architectural influence.

The altar is of marble set with colored stones. It is illuminated, through natural light, from an octagon set in the dome.

The church is noted for the use of semi precious stone work, a Greek colonnaded veranda, two spires and three Roman domes, which add to the building’s grandeur.

In 1961 Pope John XXIII upgraded the status of this Church to that of Minor Basilica. The church is only one of 23 minor basilicas in India and is the only one in North India.

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Begum Samru’s Palace, Sardhana, Meerut

The Begum Palace has been converted into a boys’ school, “St. Charles Inter College.” The school is aided by the state government and property and the building is owned and maintained by the church.

The main entrance, “Hathi Jina” and the bathing area/wing of the palace have been preserved, all the other rooms

have been converted to be used as the school: the salon and the dining room are the school library and staff room respectively.

The original roof of the building has collapsed and has been replaced by a temporary roof.