Jeanne Dupleix
Jeanne Dupleix (1706–1756) (née Albert) was the spouse of Joseph François Dupleix, governor general of the French establishment in India in 1742-1754, and known for her influence during his tenure. She acted as his political advisor and is known to have influenced his policy against non-Christians. She was known to the Indians as Joanna Begum (Jân Begum). Family. She was born in 1706 at Pondicherry to Jacques-Théodore Albert and Élisabeth-Rose de Castro, and baptized on 2 June 1706. Her father was from Paris. He was the surgeon of Company at Pondicherry. Her mother, Rosa  de Castro, was a creole of partly Italian, partly Portuguese and Indian parentage from Madras. Rosa de Castro's father was Portuguese whereas her mother was a local woman. She had five sisters and two brothers. She married a Mr. Vincens, 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 married Dupleix who was President of Superior Council of Pondicherry and General Commandent of French Possessions in India. Children. She had 11 children (5 boys and 6 girls) with Mr.  Vincens. After marriage with Dupleix, she gave birth to her 12th child, a boy. The infant was named Joseph as his father, but he died the same day. Political influence. She was the political adviser of her husband Dupleix during his entire administration of French India. Her antagonism to the native princes of India was seen in action during her husband's negotiations with them. Religious Persecution. 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. Ananda Ranga Pillai quotes about  her in his Private Diary, Death. She died at Paris on 4 December 1756 at the age of 50. Her funeral was performed on next day at the Parish Marie Magdaleine de la Ville l'Évêque.