The Begum of Bhopal Who Ruled on Her Own Terms

After the collapse of the Mughal Empire, Dost Mohammad Khan (1657-1728) established the princely state of Bhopal. It became an important princely state under Colonial rule following the Anglo-Bhopal Treaty of 1818. Although Bhopal had a turbulent history, the Begums ushered in a period during which the state flourished. The Begums were Qudsia Begum (1819-1837), Sikandar Begum (1844-1868), Shah Jahan Begum (1868-1901) and Sultan Jahan Begum (1901-1926). There was a brief interruption between the reigns of Qudsia and Sikandar, when Jahangir Muhammad Khan ruled Bhopal from 1837 to 1844. After his death, the state returned to female rule, which continued until 1926.

source

Leave a Reply