The Begums of Bhopal by Shaharyar M. Khan

The Begums of Bhopal is the unique story of a succession of powerful women rulers in a male dominated world.

A story woven into the rich tapestry of Indian history, Bhopal was carved out of the deadly chaos that followed the collapse of the Mughal Empire by Dost Mohammed Khan, whose dash, bravery, ruthlessness and desire for good government are all reflected - like the romance and good fortune of his story - in the rule of the Begums who followed.

Bhopal became a major princely state in British India and, early in its turbulent history, the role of its women rulers was vital. Mamola Bai (1744-95), a Hindu Rajput, married the Muslim Dost's son, Yar Mohammed Khan. Though never recognized as a Begum, for 50 years she ruled from 'behind the curtain' (purdah) on behalf of Yar's ineffective sons.

The accepted rule of the Begums dates from the accession of the formidable Qudsia (1819-37), who seized control on behalf of her 15 month old daughter Sikander, warding off competing male claims. She ruled effectively while preparing Sikander for power and so laid the foundations for Bhopal's golden age. Sikander (1844-68) was fearsome in her Amazonian physical power and a typical 19th century modernist and reformer. She presided over administrative, social and educational reform and made Bhopal a haven for scholarship and culture and a centre for building, arts and crafts.

Shahjehan (1868 - 1901) proved a marked contrast to her powerful mother but, although her long reign saw constant opposition from both the British and her Indian subjects to the influence of her unpopular husband, she left a considerable mark in architecture, music, poetry and the arts.

The last Begum, Sultan Jahan (1901-26) stamped her rule with her own powerful image, despite personal tragedy and long legal wrangling over the succession of her son, Hamidullah, whose reign marked the end of Bhopal's rule by the famous Begums. Sultan Jahan combined Muslim piety with ardent reform and became an international figure as first president of the All India Conference on Education and the first chancellor of the Muslim University of Aligarh. She was a tireless worker for women's emancipation and education, publicly abandoning purdah two years before her death.

The Begums of Bhopal offers the first balanced history of the state and in discussing the Begums' policies in dealing with the British, also provides a fascinating account of British imperial relations with the princely states.

The Begums of Bhopal was launched officially from the House of Lords, England on 27th June, 2000 in a cermony attended by a distinguished gathering including Prince Hasan bin Talal of Jordan, Lord Bernard Wetherill (former Speaker of the House of Lords), Lord Nazir Ahmed of Rotheram, Mr. Aziz Munshi, Minister for Law, Mr. Javed Jabbar, Minister for Information and Mr. Sharifuddin Pirzada, member National Security Council and former Pakistan Foreign Minister were present as speakers.

The author, Mr. Shaharyar M. Khan, a direct descendent of the Royal family of Bhopal and his mother, Princess Abida Sultan, signed books at the end of the function. An official launch will follow in South Asia where the book will soon be available. The book is available to order through Amazon.com.