Yangon (Myanmar), Feb. 8 : Vice President M. Hamid Ansari paid a visit to the mausoleum of former Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar here on Saturday.

Acknowledging Zafar's contribution to India''s first war of independence in 1857, Ansari said: "Bahudar Shah Zafar occupies a place in our history and played a prominent role in the First War of Independence in 1857 and every citizen in the country (India) knows about it. It is a matter of great regret that he had to spend the last days of his life away from his own country."

Ansari is on a four-day official visit to Myanmar.

During the visit, India also handed over 250 solar lanterns to Myanmar as humanitarian aid to assist in the ongoing relief process for people affected by Cyclone Nargis. (ANI)