history of bhopal

7/28/2019 History of Bhopal

1/12

BHOPAL HISTORY

According to folklore, Bhopal is said to have been founded by the kingBhojaof theParamaradynasty(10001055 CE), who ruled from his capital atDhar. This theory states that Bhopal was

originally known as Bhojpal after the king and the dam ("pal") constructed by him. No available

archaeological evidence, inscriptions or historical texts support the claim about an earliersettlement founded by Bhoja at the same place, although a temple complex constructed by him

exists atBhojpur, which is located 28 km from Bhopal. An alternative theory says that the name

of the city was coined from the name of another king called Bhupala (or Bhupal).[7][8]

(During

theBritish Raj, the railway tickets printed in the city and the signboards on the railway stationmentioned the name of the city as "Bhupal" inHindi-Urduand "Bhoopal" in English.)

In the early 18th century, Bhopal was a small village in the localGondkingdom. The modernBhopal city was established byDost Mohammad Khan(16721728), anAfghanPashtunsoldier

in theMughalarmy.[9]

After the death of the emperorAurangzeb, Khan started providing

mercenary services to several local chieftains in the politically unstableMalwaregion. In 1709,

he took on the lease ofBerasiaestate, and later annexed several territories in the region toestablish theBhopal State.

[10]Khan received the territory of Bhopal from the Gond queen Rani

Kamlapati in lieu of payment for mercenary services, and usurped her kingdom after her

death.[11]

Hamidullah Khan, lastnawabof Bhopal

During the early 1720s, Dost Mohammad Khan transformed the village of Bhopal into a fortified

city, and acquired the title ofNawab.[12]

Khan's support to theSayyid Brothersearned him the

enmity of the rival Mughal noblemanNizam-ul-Mulk, who invaded Bhopal in March 1724,forcing Khan to cede much of his territory.

[13]Dost Mohammad Khan and hisPathanassociates

brought the Islamic influence on the culture and architecture of Bhopal, the ruins of which can be

found atIslamnagarnear Bhopal. After Khan's death in 1728, the Bhopal state remained underthe influence of the Nizam. The state also paid tribute to theMarathas, who defeated the

Mughals at theBattle of Bhopalin 1737.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhojahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhojahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhojahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramara_dynastyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramara_dynastyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramara_dynastyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramara_dynastyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhojpur,_Madhya_Pradeshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhojpur,_Madhya_Pradeshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhojpur,_Madhya_Pradeshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rajhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rajhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rajhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindi-Urduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindi-Urduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindi-Urduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gondi_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gondi_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gondi_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dost_Mohammad_Khan,_Nawab_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dost_Mohammad_Khan,_Nawab_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dost_Mohammad_Khan,_Nawab_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_%28ethnonym%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_%28ethnonym%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtun_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtun_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtun_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurangzebhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurangzebhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurangzebhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malwahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malwahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malwahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berasiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berasiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berasiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal_Statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal_Statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-Shaharyar_Begums_2000-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-Shaharyar_Begums_2000-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-Shaharyar_Begums_2000-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-KamlaMittal_1990-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-KamlaMittal_1990-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-KamlaMittal_1990-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamidullah_Khanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamidullah_Khanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-Somerset_states-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-Somerset_states-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-Somerset_states-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayyid_Brothershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayyid_Brothershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayyid_Brothershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamar-ud-din_Khan,_Asif_Jah_Ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamar-ud-din_Khan,_Asif_Jah_Ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamar-ud-din_Khan,_Asif_Jah_Ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-William_Hough_1845-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-William_Hough_1845-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-William_Hough_1845-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtun_culturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtun_culturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtun_culturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamnagar,_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamnagar,_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamnagar,_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maratha_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maratha_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maratha_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nawab_hmidulla_khan.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nawab_hmidulla_khan.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nawab_hmidulla_khan.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nawab_hmidulla_khan.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maratha_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamnagar,_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtun_culturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-William_Hough_1845-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamar-ud-din_Khan,_Asif_Jah_Ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayyid_Brothershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-Somerset_states-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamidullah_Khanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-KamlaMittal_1990-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-Shaharyar_Begums_2000-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal_Statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berasiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malwahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurangzebhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtun_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_%28ethnonym%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dost_Mohammad_Khan,_Nawab_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gondi_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindi-Urduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rajhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhojpur,_Madhya_Pradeshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramara_dynastyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramara_dynastyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhoja


2/12

Nawab Faiz Muhammed Khan (17421777) moved the capital from Islamnagar to Bhopal. The

state became aBritishprotectoratein 1818. Between 1819 and 1926, it was ruled by four women

Begumsunique in the royalty of those days. Qudsia Begum was the first woman ruler, whowas succeeded by her only daughter Sikandar Begum, who in turn was succeeded by her only

daughter,Shahjehan Begum. Sultan Jahan Begum was the last woman ruler, who after 25 years

of rule, abdicated in favour of her son,Hamidullah Khan. The rule of Begums gave the city itswaterworks, railways, a postal system and a municipality constituted in 1907.[14]

Bhopal was the second largest Muslim state in pre-independence India afterHyderabad. Aftertheindependence of Indiain 1947, the last Nawab expressed his wish to retain Bhopal as a

separate unit in March 1948. Agitations against the Nawab broke out in December 1948, leading

to the arrest of prominent leaders includingShankar Dayal Sharma. Later, the political detainees

were released, and the Nawab signed the agreement for Bhopal's merger with the Union of Indiaon 30 April 1949.

[15]

TheBhopal statewas taken over by the Union Government of India on 1 June 1949.Sindhi

refugees fromPakistanwere accommodated in Bairagarh, a western suburb of Bhopal (nowrenamed to Sant Hirdaram Nagar). According to theStates Reorganization Act of 1956, the

Bhopal state was integrated into the state ofMadhya Pradesh, and Bhopal was declared as its

capital. The population of the city rose rapidly thereafter.

Bhopal state was an independent state of 18th

century India, a princely state of India from 1818 to1947, and an Indian state from 1949 to 1956. Its

capital was the Bhopal city.

Early rulers (Nawab of Bhopal):-

S.No. Name of the Bhopal Nawabs

01. Nawab Dost Muhammad Khan Bahadur ru

02. Nawab Sultan Muhammad Khan Bahadur ru

03. Nawab Faiz Muhammad Khan Bahadur ru

04. Nawab Hayat Muhammad Khan Bahadur ru
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princely_statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princely_statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princely_statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begum_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begum_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begum_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Shah_Jahan,_Begum_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Shah_Jahan,_Begum_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Shah_Jahan,_Begum_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamidullah_Khanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamidullah_Khanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamidullah_Khanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderabad_Statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderabad_Statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderabad_Statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_of_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_of_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_of_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shankar_Dayal_Sharmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shankar_Dayal_Sharmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shankar_Dayal_Sharmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-SRBakshi_OPRalhan_2007-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-SRBakshi_OPRalhan_2007-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-SRBakshi_OPRalhan_2007-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal_State_%281949-1956%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal_State_%281949-1956%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal_State_%281949-1956%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sindhi_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sindhi_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sindhi_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_Reorganization_Act_of_1956http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_Reorganization_Act_of_1956http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_Reorganization_Act_of_1956http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhya_Pradeshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhya_Pradeshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhya_Pradeshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_%28political%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_%28political%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_%28political%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhya_Pradeshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_Reorganization_Act_of_1956http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sindhi_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal_State_%281949-1956%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-SRBakshi_OPRalhan_2007-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shankar_Dayal_Sharmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_of_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderabad_Statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamidullah_Khanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Shah_Jahan,_Begum_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begum_of_Bhopalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princely_statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_India


3/12

05. Nawab Ghaus Muhammad Khan Bahadur ru

06. Nawab Muiz Muhammad Khan Bahadur ru

07. Nawab Jahangir Muhammad Khan Bahadur ru

08.

Al-Haj Nawab Sir Hafiz Muhammad Hamidullah Khan

Bahadur

ru

The rule of the Begums:-

The Begum of Bhopal who ruled

the princely state of Bhopal inCentral India in the 19th and

20th centuries. They include:

S.No. Name of the Bhopal Begums Ruled Tim

01. Qudsia Begum, Regent of Bhopal ruled from 1819-1837

02. Nawab Sikandar Begum ruled from 1860-1868

03. Begum Sultan Shah Jehan ruled from 1844-1860 and 186

04. Begum Kaikhusrau Jahan ruled from 1901-1926

05. Begum Sajida Sultan ruled from 1961-1995

Establishment


4/12

The state was established in 1724 by the

Afghan Sardar Dost Mohammed Khan, who was

a commander in the Mughal army posted atMangalgarh, which lies to the north of the

modern city of Bhopal. Taking advantage ofthe disintegration of the Mughal empire, he

usurped Mangalgarh and Berasia (now a tehsil

of the Bhopal District). Sometime later, he

helped the Gond Queen Kamalapati by

executing her husband's assassins and

restoring the little Gond kingdom back to her.

The Queen gave him a princely sum of money

and the Mouza village (which is situated near

modern Bhopal city).

After the death of last Gond queen, Dost

Mohammed Khan took his chance and seized

the little Gond Kingdom and established his

capital 10 km away from modern Bhopal, at

Jagdishpur. He named his capital Islamnagar,

meaning the city of Islam. He built a small fort

and some palaces at Islamnagar, the ruins of

which can still be seen today. After few years,

he built a bigger fort situated on the northernbank of the Upper Lake. He named this newfort Fatehgarh ("the fort of victory"). Later

the capital was shifted to the current city of

Bhopal.

Early rulers

Although Dost Mohammed Khan was the

virtual ruler of Bhopal, he still acknowledged

the suzerainty of the declining MughalEmpire. His successors however, acquired

the title of "Nawab" and declared Bhopal an

independent state. By the 1730s, the

Marathas were expanding into the region,

and Dost Mohammed Khan and his
http://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htm


5/12

successors fought wars with their neighbors

to protect the small territory and also

fought among themselves for control of the

state. The Marathas conquered several

nearby states, including Indore to the westand Gwalior to the north, but Bhopal

remained a Muslim-ruled state under Dost

Mohammed Khan's successors. Subsequently,

Nawab Wazir Mohammed Khan, a general,

created a truly strong state after fighting

several wars.

Nawab Jehangir Mohammed Khan established

a cantonment at a distance of one mile from

the fort. This was called Jehangirabad afterhim. He built gardens and barracks for British

guests and soldiers in Jehangirabad.

In 1778, during the First Anglo-Maratha War,

when the British General Thomas Goddard

campaigned across India, Bhopal was one of

the few states that remained friendly to the

British. In 1809, during the Second Anglo-

Maratha War, General Close led a British

expedition to Central India. The Nawab ofBhopal petitioned in vain to be received under

British protection. In 1817, when the Third

Anglo-Maratha War broke out, a treaty of

dependence was signed between the British

Government of India and the Nawab of Bhopal.

Bhopal remained a friend of British

Government during the British Raj in India.

In February-March 1818, Bhopal became a

princely state in British India as a result ofthe Anglo-Bhopal treaty between the East

India Company and Nawab Nazar Muhammad

(Nawab of Bhopal during 1816-1819). Bhopal

state included the present-day Bhopal, Raisen,

and Sehore districts, and was part of the
http://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htm


6/12

Central India Agency. It straddled the

Vindhya Range, with the northern portion lying

on the Malwa plateau, and the southern portionlying in the valley of the Narmada River, which

formed the state's southern boundary. BhopalAgency was formed as an administrative

section of Central India, consisting the Bhopal

state and some princely states to the

northeast, including Khilchipur, Narsingarh,

Raigarh, and after 1931 the Dewas states. It

was administered by an agent to the British

Governor-General of India.

The rule of the BegumsQudsia Begum

An interesting turn came in the history of

Bhopal, when in 1819, 18 year old Qudsia

Begum (also known as Gohar Begum) took over

the reins after the assassination of her

husband. She was the first female ruler of

Bhopal. Although she was illiterate, she was

brave and refused to follow the purdahtradition. She declared that her 2 year old

daughter Sikander will follow her as the ruler.

None of the male family members dared to

challenge her decision. She cared very well for

her subjects and took her dinners only after

receiving the news every night that all her

subjects had taken meals. She built the Jama

Masjid of Bhopal. She also built her beautiful

palace - 'Gohar Mahal'. She ruled till 1837.Before her death, she had adequately

prepared her daughter for ruling the state.

Sikander Jahan Begum
http://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htm


7/12

In 1844, Sikander Begum succeeded her

mother as the ruler of Bhopal. Like her

mother, she too never observed purdah. She

was trained in the martial arts, and fought

many battles during her reign (1844

1868).During the Indian rebellion of 1857, she

sided with the British and crushed all those

who revolted against them. She did a lot ofpublic welfare too - she built roads and

reconstructed the fort. She also built the

Moti Masjid (meaning the Pearl Mosque) and

Moti Mahal (the Pearl Palace).

Shah Jahan Begum

Sikander Begum's successor Shah Jahan

Begum was quite passionate about

architecture, like her Mughal namesake

emperor Shah Jahan. She built a vast mini-city, called Shahjahanabad after her. She also
http://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htm


8/12

built a new palace for herself - Taj Mahal (not

to be confused with the famous Taj Mahal at

Agra). She built a lot of other beautifulbuildings as well - Ali Manzil, Amir Ganj, Barah

Mahal, Ali Manzil, Be nazir Complex,Khawasoura, Mughalpura, Nematpua and Nawab

Manzils. Today also, one can see the ruins of

Taj Mahal and some of its glorious parts that

have survived the tests of time. Barah Mahal

and Nawab Manzil have also withstood the test

of time..

Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum 'Sarkar Amma' ( ruled during

1901-26)

Sultan Kaikhusrau

Jahan Begum, (9 July 1858-12 May 1930)daughter of Shah Jahan Begum, succeeded her

in 1901, ruling to her abdication in favor of her

son in 1926. She further advanced the

emancipation of women and established a

modern municipality in 1903[1]. She had her own

palace Sadar Manzil (the present headquarters
http://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htm


9/12

of Bhopal Municipal Corporation). But she

preferred the quiet and serene environment at

the outskirts of the city. She developed herown walled mini-city, named Ahmedabad after

her late husband (not to be confused withAhmedabad, Gujarat). This city was situated

at Tekri Maulvee Zai-ud-din, which was at

located a distance of a mile from the fort. She

built a palace called Qaser-e-Sultani (now

Saifia College). This area became a posh

residency as royalty and elite moved here. The

Begum installed the first water pump here and

developed a garden called 'Zie-up-Abser'. She

also constructed a new palace called 'Noor-us-Sabah', which has been converted into a

heritage hotel. She was the first president of

the All India Conference on Education and

first chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim

University.

The peaceful rule of Begums led to the rise of

a unique mixed culture in Bhopal. The Hindus

were given important administrative positions

in the state. This led to communal peace and acosmopolitan culture took its roots.

Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum's son, Nawab

Hamidullah Khan, ascended the throne in 1926.

He was Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes

After Indian independence
http://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htm


10/12

Nawab Hamidullah Khan, 1930

India achieved independence on August 15,1947. Bhopal was one of the last states to sign

the 'Instrument of Accession'. The ruler of

Bhopal acceded to the Indian government, and

Bhopal became an Indian state on 1 May 1949.

Sindhi refugees from Pakistan were

accommodated in Bairagarh, a western suburb

of Bhopal.

The eldest daughter of Nawab HamidullahKhan and presumptive heiress, Abida Sultan,

gave up her right to the throne and opted for

Pakistan in 1950. She entered Pakistan's

foreign service. Therefore, the Government of

India excluded her from the succession and
http://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htm


11/12

her younger sister Begum Sajida succeeded in

her stead. Abida Sultan arrived in the newly

created Pakistan when she was 37 and amother of a young son. She was to spend the

greater part of her life in Pakistan, and shedied in 2002. Her son, Shaharyar Khan, was to

become the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and

then the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket

Board. The last ruling Nawab of Pataudi,

Iftikhar Ali Khan, married Begum Sajida. Upon

the demise of Begum Sajida in 1995, her only

son Mansoor Ali Khan, the titular Nawab of

Pataudi, is regarded by many as being the head

of the royal family of Bhopal.

Chowk (Bazaar)

Chowk (Bazaar) is one of the

best marketplaces which are

located in the heart of the Old

City, Bhopal. It is a fantastic

place to buy something special

such as embroidered velvet

cushions, tussar silk, silver

jewelry, and intricate beadwork

that are made up by Bhopal's

warm, friendly citizens. This

wonderful market offers you a

wide range of unique items with

great bargains and discounts. You can also get some extra

discounts on any occasions like the bead work and the

hand embroidery.

One of the main attractions of this market is The Jama

Masjid which is located in the centre of main market area

which is also famous as chowk bazaar. The erstwhile

ruler of Bhopal Her Majesty Qudsiya Begum was built thismosque in the year 1837. By the erstwhile ruler of Bhopal

Her Majesty Qudsiya Begum. Amongst other historical

sites in Bhopal, this monument is built belonging to Islamic

style.

This monument has a potential to pull number of

worshippers and devotees from across the world. It has
http://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htmhttp://bhopal.nic.in/bplhistory.htm


12/12

fabulous structure that is raised from the ground level and

access to the mosque is from the staircases on three sides.

The mosque has beautiful interiors that are built out of

dazzling white marble. There is a sequence of delightfully

crafted white columned arches and plush interiors with

loads on carvings on it.

history of bhopal

Documents