Begum Samru was a fascinating character from 19th century India. A Kashmiri by birth, she led a rather un-conventional life. The Mushairas that she organised at her estate were attended by the stalwarts of Urdu poetry at that time.These poetic symposiums were fantastic gatherings where these poetic giants congregated over delectable food and wine.Scotch had arrived in india by that time and so had the choiciest of French wines which flew freely and so also bar-be-qued meat and tandoori delights.Most often these gatherings were held al fresco with lighting and magnificent awnings erected on silver pillars with Persian carpets and bolsters. These mehfils commenced in the evening and continued into the wee hours of dawn.The Mughal empire in decline was also no less magnificient or lacking in refinement.Urdu was taking shape and was accepted in place of Persian in north India.Momin Khan Momin and Ghalib were house-hold names and were quoted extensively. The sophestication of the Delhiites was par excellence.The last Mughal emperor could himself compose poetry in Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi and Brij Bhasha.

Thank you, Digvijay, for this informative write-up.