This actress, killed due to 'conspiracy', still haunts the Umaid Bhawan Palace; her son was beheaded on Jodhpur's street

The story of actress Zubaida Begum and Maharaja Hanwant Singh is seen as a tragic part of history. While most believe they died in a plane crash, some people suspect their deaths may have been part of a bigger conspiracy.

In 2001, a movie called Zubaida was made about her life, written by her son Khalid Mohammed. The film suggested that there might have been another reason for her death. Even today, the mystery around their deaths remains, with some claiming to feel Zubaida’s presence at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, where it is said her spirit still haunts the royal family.

Zubaida Begum’s father was against her pursuing a career in acting and took control of her major life decisions, including arranging her marriage and eventually her divorce. Despite being mostly kept at home, she found comfort in the company of her son and enjoyed socializing at gatherings with her aunt. During a royal wedding in Jodhpur, Maharaja Hanwant Singh was mesmerized by her elegance and charm.

On January 26, 1952, Zubaida and Maharaja Hanwant Singh tragically died in a plane crash, with some speculating it was part of a larger conspiracy. In 2001, her son, Khalid Mohammed, directed a film about her life, which suggested that Zubaida’s love for the Maharaja was so deep that she chose to die alongside him. Many claim that her spirit continues to haunt the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur.

Following her death, Zubaida’s son, Rao Raja Hukum Singh, also known as Tutu, was brought up by the Rajmata of Jodhpur and later went on to study at Mayo College in Ajmer. He married Rao Rani Rajeshwari Kumari, the daughter of Rao Raja Daljit Singh of Alwar. Together, they had a son, Parikshit Singh (born in 1974), and a daughter, Jainandini Kanwar (born in 1975).

On April 17, 1981, a tragic incident occurred when Tutu was found beheaded on the streets of Jodhpur. Folklore suggests that Zubaida's restless soul still roams the Umaid Bhawan Palace and the royal family’s nearby school. It is believed that certain rooms are locked with strong chains, as her spirit is said to haunt them.