The last prince of Oudh died a lonely and forgotten man

Prince Riaz Oudh was laid to rest on September 5 at the burial grounds near ITO.

New Delhi: Prince Riaz Oudh died a forgotten and lonely man on September 3. His body was discovered was discovered three days after he died.

There were no external injury marks on his body and any suspicion of foul play was also ruled out. Police claimed that he died of natural causes. 

The last prince of the royal house of Oudh was laid to rest without anyone being told about it as he had no surviving relatives.

Police did try to call some phone numbers but they were switched off.

Following are some of the details of Prince Riaz's life story:

- His body was found outside his home, the 700-year-old dilapidated Malcha Mahal.

- Prince Riaz's sister Sakina had died a few months ago. Their mother, the Begum of Oudh had poisoned herself in 1993.

- As per reports, the prince used to pour water into a glass kept on the table, where his mother used to sit.

- The prince's mother called herself Begum Wilayat Mahal and claimed to be the direct heir to the Oudh kings.

- Once upon a time, his family used to have vast estates and huge palaces.

- The last Nawab of Oudh ruled till 1856 following which the family lost their fortune.

- In 1970s the Begum camped herself in the first class waiting room of the Delhi railway station together with her young son and daughter, seven liveried Nepali servants, some 15 ferocious bloodhounds, and a collection of huge and beautiful Persian carpets.

- There she insisted she and her retinue would stay until the Indian government recognised the sacrifice she claimed her family had made during the uprising against the British in 1857.

- In May 1985, Malcha Mahal was allotted to the royals of Oudh.

- In return of their ancestral property in Lucknow, the Begum had got the Malcha Mahal and a monthly allowance of Rs 500.

- The place had no electricity, no doors, no windows and no water.

- After his mother's death, the Prince used to live there with his sister Princess Sakina.

- It was when his sister too died that Cyrus became terribly lonely.

- After his death, the prince was laid to rest on September 5 at the burial grounds near ITO. Later the Waqf board was informed.