Esra Birgen
{{Short description|Hyderabadi Noble (born 1936)}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox royalty
| title =
| name = Princess Esra Birgin
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name = Esra Birgen
| spouse = Mukarram Jah, Crown Prince of Hyderabad
(1959–1974; divorced)
| issue = {{plainlist|
- Azmet Jah, Crown Prince of Hyderabad
- Princess Shehryar}}
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1936}}
| birth_place = Turkey
| death_date =
| death_place =
}}
Princess Esra Birgen (born Esra Birgen; 1936) is a Hyderabadi Noble from Turkey, who was once married to Crown Prince Mukarram Jah, the Head of the House of Asaf Jah of the Kingdom of Hyderabad.{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-10-31/hyderabad/28239540_1_taj-group-guests-royal-palace|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103214415/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-10-31/hyderabad/28239540_1_taj-group-guests-royal-palace|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 November 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|title=Nizamian grandeur to Taj Falaknuma|accessdate=29 April 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-10-08/hyderabad/27792369_1_princess-esra-swords-nizams|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103214420/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-10-08/hyderabad/27792369_1_princess-esra-swords-nizams|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 November 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|title=Esra to brandish Nizams' swords|accessdate=29 April 2016}}
Personal life
Princess Esra married Prince Mukarram Jah in 1959. They were married for 15 years. They have a son Azmet (born 1962) and a daughter Shekhya (born 1964). She lives in London.
Palace restoration
Princess Esra is credited with the restoration of Chowmahalla Palace{{when|date=March 2022}} and Falaknuma Palace.{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/unesco-heritage-conservation-award-for-chowmahalla-palace/317463.html |title=UNESCO heritage conservation award for Chowmahalla Palace, IBN Live News |website=ibnlive.in.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013140250/http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/unesco-heritage-conservation-award-for-chowmahalla-palace/317463.html |archive-date=13 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{better source needed|date=March 2022}} The former was opened to the public while the latter was leased as a luxury hotel to the Taj Group.
She appointed architect Rahul Mehrotra to restore the Chowmahalla Palace.{{Cite news |last=Gudrais |first=Elizabeth |date=2012-04-25 |title=Designs for a New India |url=https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2012/05/designs-for-a-new-india |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=Harvard Magazine |language=en}}
She initiated a project for the royal palaces in August 2000. The restoration project for Chowmahalla Palace involved tasks ranging from stabilising the existing structural components to reconstitution of collapsed and dilapidated sections of the complex, restoration of external and internal spaces and decorative elements and finishes.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
Donation to Yadadri temple
On behalf of the Nizam Family,{{cite news |last1=Service |first1=Express News |title=Nizam’s relatives donate necklace to Yadadri temple |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2023/Feb/27/nizams-relatives-donate-necklace-to-yadadri-temple-2551241.html |work=The New Indian Express |date=27 February 2023 |language=en}} she donated a gold chain worth Rs 6 lakh to the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Yadadri. The gold necklace was handed over to the temple Executive Officer Geetha by Yadagirigutta Temple Development Authority (YTDA) vice-chairman Kishan Rao.{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2023/Feb/27/nizams-relatives-donate-necklace-to-yadadri-temple-2551241.html | title=Nizam's relatives donate necklace to Yadadri temple | date=27 February 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://telanganatoday.com/brahmotsavam-yadadri-sri-lakshmi-narasimha-swamy-appears-in-attire-of-govardhana-giridhari | title=Princess Esra donates gold jewellery to Yadadri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy | date=26 February 2023 }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?236736 Princess to the Rescue - William Darlymple on Princess Esra]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Birgen, Esra}}
Category:Women from Hyderabad State
Category:Date of birth missing (living people)
Category:People from Hyderabad State