Joanna Begum

Jeanne Dupleix (1706–1756) (née Albert) was wife of Joseph François Dupleix, governor general of the French establishment in India in the 18th century.

She was born in 1706 at Pondicherry to Jacques-Théodore Albert and Élisabeth-Rose de Castro. Her father was surgeon of Company at Pondicherry. she was baptized on 2 June 1706, as Jeanne. She had five sisters and two brothers.

Her mother also known as Rosa de Castro was a creole of partly Italian, partly Portuguese and Indian parentage from Madras. Her father was from Paris.

She was married to Mr. Vincens who was one of the superior councillors of the Company on 5 June 1719. He died at Chandannagar 26 September 1739 at the age of 60. On 17 April 1741, she at the age of 33 married Dupleix who was President of Superior Council of Pondicherry and General Commandent of French Possessions in India. Mme. Dupleix was known to the Hindus as Joanna Begum (Jân Begum).

She bore 11 children (5 boys and 6 girls) to Mr. Vincens.

After marriage with Dupleix, she finally gave birth to her 12th child, a boy . The infant was named Joseph as his father, but he died the same day.

She used to offer advice to her husband Dupleix. She was with him completely during his administration of French India. Her antagonism to the native princes of India was seen in action during her husband's negotiations with them. Her cruelty and corrupt measures were strongly approved by Dubash Ananda Ranga Pillai and he took pains to chronicle them in his diaries.

From the Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai, it can be confirmed that she indulged in religious persecution against local Hindus. Few extracts from his diary confirm this.

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