muslimwomeninhistory:

Begum of Bhopal at the 1911 Delhi Durbar. Photo: The Alkazi Collection photography

The Four Begums of Bhopal - Rulers

Between 1819 and 1926 four Muslim women rulers reigned over Bhopal, the second largest Muslim state of India, despite staunch opposition from powerful neighbors and male claimants. Even the British India Company initially opposed female rule in Bhopal until the Begums quoted Queen Victoria as their model and inspiration. Each Begum—or Queen—impressed her own personality on the role and succeeded in reigning over a mostly Hindu population. Qudisa, the first Begum, was supported by her powerful French-Bourbon Prime Minister in her departure from the traditional. She was succeeded in 1844 by Sikandar, her only daughter, who was also followed by her only daughter, the highly controversial Shahjehan. The story ends with the last Begum, Sultan Jehan, and her abdication in favor of her son, the first male ruler (Nawab) of Bhopal in five generations. (Via “The Begum of Bhopal”)

Begum Jahan, a highly educated woman, financed one of the most respected Urdu biographies of the Prophet Muhammad written by Sulaiman Nadwi. (via) She also wore a full niqab while attending the coronation of King George V in 1911. Shah-Jahan Begum was known for commencing the construction of the Taj-ul-Masjid mosque in Bhopal and for other public work projects such as subsidising the cost of a railway to be constructed between Hoshangabad and Bhopal. (Via Old Indian Photos)

More Information

1.) The Begums of Bhopal: A History of the Princely State of Bhopal (Book)

2.) Begums Of Bhopal (Book)

3.) VEILED BEGUM OF BHOPAL.; Indian Ruler In London Says She Liked Mme. Tussaud’s. (New York Times Article dated October 8, 1911)

4.) Photos

5.) Wikipedia Page (Can also learn a lot from Google searches)