As colonial powers muscled in on 18th century India, one woman rose from obscurity to become the leader of a powerful and formidable mercenary army. From the life of a dancing girl to life on the battlefields, the Begum Samru was feared and respected not just by her troops, but also by those who held the highest power. But she loved just as boldly as she fought, and her heart led her to desperate measures of Shakespearean proportions. Follow us into the wild and vibrant streets of the Mughal Empire as we trace the legendary life of the Begum Samru. Keay, Julia. Farzana: The Woman Who Saved an Empire. I.B. Tauris, 2014. Sleeman, William, 1788-1856.Rambles and Recollections of an Indian Official. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/15483?msg=welcome_stranger#Ch75 If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on:  Patreon www.patreon.com/user?u=6251394 twitter @DeviantWomen Facebook @deviantwomenpodcast Instagram @deviantwomenpodcast For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy