Book to immortalise Gori Bibi's devotion

Lucknow: After four years of rigorous research and going through endless historical records conserved at La Martiniere College, the school is coming up with its first book on Boulone Lise, who was popular as Gori Bibi. "Boulone Lise aka Gori Bibi was Major General Claude Martin's most faithful companion whose affections he acknowledged publicly. The book will be released by the French ambassador Alexandre Ziegler on October 9," said college principal Carlyle McFarland.
Gori Bibi entered Claude Martin's household in 1775 when she was nine. She was a victim of domestic violence and Martin brought her up as a child, loved and educated her with all the tenderness of a father. He suggested she married anyone of her community but she chose never to leave Martin and to be buried on the grounds of La Martiniere College.
The book is a compilation of exclusive pictures of Gori Bibi's tomb at La Martiniere College clicked by a teacher Mohsina Mirza along with a profile of the lady, her tomb and its restoration by the college. It has been compiled jointly by McFarland and Mirza.
"Claude Martin wrote in his will: 'Luck made her fall to my lot'. He wrote about her lovingly and respectfully in his will, leaving instructions for her care and well being after his death," said Mirza, adding that through old records she came to know that Gori Bibi was the daughter of Nawab Fazal Khan Bahadur, the grandson of the Vizier (prime minister) of Emperor Aurangzeb.
"The book will help students learn historical aspects of the school. Drone cameras have been used to capture the Gori Bibi tomb restoration work over four years," she added.