'The Begums of Bhopal: A dynasty of women rulers in Raj India’ : A review

Title: 'The Begums of Bhopal: A dynasty of women rulers in Raj India

Author: Shri Shaharyar M. Khan

Publisher: Viva Books

Year of publication: 2004

Price: Rs 395

ISBN: 978-93-86385-54-3

 

 

It was around the time of November’22 when I was at Noronha Academy, Bhopal and we had gone on to the General Administration Department of Vallabh Bhawan i.e., the state secretariat as part of our secretariat exposure when each one of us from our batch had been gifted this book. The title itself made it pertinent for me to read this book before embarking on a journey in the administrative career in the region. Today, I am penning down my thoughts on the same relating it to the old times when these women rulers reflected competent statecraft.

 

This book has been written by a career diplomat who retired as Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary in 1994 and belonged to the Bhopal royal family. The book narrates the story of establishment of Bhopal by a brave Afghan against all the odds and subsequent succession of women rulers not in the 21^st century Bhopal but the 19^th and 20^th century. 

 

Dost Mohammad Khan, born in Tirah belonged to the Mirzai-khel clan of the Orakzai tribe in Afghanistan. He is considered as the founder of Bhopal. “Being exceptionally gifted in physique, personality and the martial arts, Dost’s only ambition was to enlist in Aurangzeb’s army and make his future, like many others before him, in the service of the Moghul Empire.” Dost came with this intention and acted as a mercenary to various benefactors. However, he realized he needed to carve out a small fiefdom for himself and therefore took the lease of Berasia (a present-day tehsil in Bhopal district). Dost was unstoppable and used every means to enlarge and consolidate his domain. In doing so, he slaughtered a neighboring Rajput chief Narsingh Rao Chauhan on the banks of Kosher River. Legend goes that the river went red and to this date it is known by the name Halali river. 

 

In the final leg of consolidation and annexation of Bhopal, Dost came across Rani Kamlapati, a woman of luminous beauty, wife of Gond raja Nizam Shah who ruled his Gond kingdom from the Ginnor fort. Her husband was poisoned by a Gond rival and had bad eyes on the Rani. It was then that Rani kamlapati sought Dost’s help and later gifted the village of Bhopal in lieu of protecting her kingdom where she ruled peacefully for a decade. After her death, Dost conquered the Gond kingdom and consolidated his own. 

 

    About the Begums: The first woman ruler Mamola Bai, a Hindu Rajput, was married to the son of Dost Mohammad and she was not formally recognized as a begum but ruled from behind the curtain on behalf of her husband’s sons. The first formally accepted Begum was Qudsia in 1819 who also ruled on behalf of her 15-month-old daughter putting to rest the competing male claims to the throne. Her daughter Sikandar Begum, who was raised to become a ruler, took over from her mother in 1844 and it is said that she outcompeted male counterparts in all aspects including her physical power. Bhopal sailed through the turbulent times during her reign as she, by her brilliant statecraft and political prowess, was able to leave a mark. Shahjehan, daughter of Sikandar Begum, took over in 1868 and contributed to the architecture, music and arts through her stronger feminine persona. The last Begum Sultan Jahan made a mark in the canvas of rulers by her own powerful image and hard work. She was the first chancellor of the Muslim University of Aligarh and was a vocal figure for progressive reforms. 

 

    Why is it a good read? For someone who has interest in history and particularly that of Bhopal region must read it. The book describes the events in a manner that one would start picturizing the same vividly. Some of the important events it captures are the coronation events, Haj yatra by the Begums, royal durbars, upbringing & grooming of the royal children and village tours by the rulers. It also meticulously captures the national realities of the time and survival challenges of a small state like Bhopal from powerful rivals.