The Nawabs of Bhopal were the Muslim rulers of

Bhopal Bhopal (; ) is the capital city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and the administrative headquarters of both Bhopal district and Bhopal division. It is known as the ''City of Lakes'' due to its various natural and artificial lakes. It ...

, now part of

Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh (, ; meaning 'central province') is a state in central India. Its capital city, capital is Bhopal, and the largest city is Indore, with Jabalpur, Ujjain, Gwalior, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, Sagar, and Rewa, India, Rewa being the othe ...

India India, officially the Republic of India ( Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the ...

. The

nawab Nawab (Balochi: نواب; ar, نواب; bn, নবাব/নওয়াব; hi, नवाब; Punjabi : ਨਵਾਬ; Persian, Punjabi , Sindhi, Urdu: ), also spelled Nawaab, Navaab, Navab, Nowab, Nabob, Nawaabshah, Nawabshah or Nobab, ...

s first ruled under the

Mughal Empire The Mughal Empire was an early-modern empire that controlled much of South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries. Quote: "Although the first two Timurid emperors and many of their noblemen were recent migrants to the subcontinent, the ...

from 1707 to 1737, under the

Maratha Empire The Maratha Empire, also referred to as the Maratha Confederacy, was an early modern Indian confederation that came to dominate much of the Indian subcontinent in the 18th century. Maratha rule formally began in 1674 with the coronation of S ...

from 1737 to 1818, then under

British rule The British Raj (; from Hindi ''rāj'': kingdom, realm, state, or empire) was the rule of the British Crown on the Indian subcontinent; * * it is also called Crown rule in India, * * * * or Direct rule in India, * Quote: "Mill, who was himsel ...

from 1818 to 1947, and independently thereafter until it was acceded to the Union of India in 1949. The female nawabs of Bhopal held the title Nawab Begum of Bhopal.

List of rulers of Bhopal

Nawabs of Bhopal

# Nawab Dost Muhammad Khan (circa 1672-1728); founded the state of Bhopal in 1707 and ruled it until 1728. He also founded the city of Islamnagar, founded by Dost Mohammad Khan in 1716 and early 1720s. # Nawab Sultan Muhammad (1720-?); ruled from 1728 to 1742. #* Nawab Yar Muhammad Khan (1709-1742), Regent of Bhopal; 1728-1742. # Nawab

Faiz Mohammad Khan Faiz Muhammad Khan Bahadur, (r.1742–1777) the third Nawab of Bhopal, was the son of Yar Muhammad Khan, the second Nawab of Bhopal (as a reagent), and the stepson of Mamola Bai a very influential Hindu wife of Y Muhammad and a direct descen ...

(1731-1777); ruled from 1742 to 1777. # Nawab Hayat Muhammad Khan (1736-1807); ruled from 1777 to 1807. # Nawab Ghaus Muhammad Khan (1767-1826); ruled from 1807 to 1826. # Nawab Muiz Muhammad Khan (circa 1795-1869); ruled from 1826 to 1837. He was succeeded by his wife Qudsia Begum. # Nawab Jahangir Muhammad Khan (1816-1844); ruled from 1837 to 1844. He was succeeded by his daughter Shah Jahan Begum.

Nawab Begums of Bhopal

# Qudsia Begum, (ruler from 1819 to 1837) - 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. 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 ruled till 1837 when she died having adequately prepared her daughter for ruling the state. She was succeeded by her son-in-law Jahangir Muhammad Khan who married her daughter Sikandar Begum. # Nawab Sikandar Begum (ruled from 1860 to 1868) # Begum Sultan Shah Jehan (ruled from 1844 to 1860 and 1868 to 1901) - Shahjahan was the only surviving child of Sikandar Begum, sometime Nawab of Bhopal by correct title, and her husband Jahangir Mohammed Khan. She was recognised as ruler of Bhopal in 1844 at the age of six; her mother wielded power as regent during her minority. However, in 1860, her mother Sikandar Begum was recognised by the British as ruler of Bhopal in her own right, and Shahjahan was set aside. During her reign the first postage stamps of the Bhopal state were issued. In 1876 and 1878 there were issues of half and quarter anna stamps. Those of 1876 have text "HH Nawab Shahjahan Begam" in an octagonal frame; the 1878 stamps the same text in a round frame and the Urdu form of the Begum's title. The last stamps bearing her name were issued in 1902 with inscription: "H.H. Nawab Sultan Jahan Begam". # Begum Kaikhusrau Jahan (ruled from 1901 to 1926, died 1930)

Titular rulers

Al-Haj The Hajj (; ar, حَجّ '; sometimes also spelled Hadj, Hadji or Haj in English) is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried o ...

Nawab Nawab (Balochi: نواب; ar, نواب; bn, নবাব/নওয়াব; hi, नवाब; Punjabi : ਨਵਾਬ; Persian, Punjabi , Sindhi, Urdu: ), also spelled Nawaab, Navaab, Navab, Nowab, Nabob, Nawaabshah, Nawabshah or Nobab, ...

Sir Hafiz Muhammad

Hamidullah Khan Hajji Nawab Hafiz Sir Hamidullah Khan (9 September 1894 – 4 February 1960) was the last ruling Nawab of the princely salute state of Bhopal. He ruled from 1926 when his mother, Begum Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum, abdicated in his favor, until 194 ...

Bahadur

GCSI The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes: # Knight Grand Commander ( GCSI) # Knight Commander ( KCSI) # Companion ( CSI) No appointment ...

GCIE The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria on 1 January 1878. The Order includes members of three classes: #Knight Grand Commander ( GCIE) #Knight Commander ( KCIE) #Companion ( CIE) No appo ...

CVO CVO may refer to: Science and technology * Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver, Washington, US * Chief veterinary officer, the head of a veterinary authority * Circumventricular organs, positioned around the ventricular system of the brain * Co ...

(1894-1960); ruled from 1926-1947, serving as nominal ruler to his death in 1960. Last of the sovereign Nawabs of Bhopal. # Sajida Sultan, Begum of Bhopal (1915 - 1995); ruled from (1960-1971), titular Begum of Bhopal until 1971 when India abolished royal entitlements through the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of India.The 26th amendment of the Indian constitution
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Family tree

The family tree of the ruling dynasty is given below: *Sardar Khair Muhammad Khan

Orakzai The Orakzai are a Pashtun tribe native to the Orakzai Agency and parts of Kurram Agency located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. They speak the language Pashto. Location The Orakzai belong to the Tirah valley located in FATA or ...

of the Mirazi Khel branch of the Orakzais of Tirah **Mir Quli Khan siddiqui *** Mir Hazar Khan siddiqui **** Sardar Muhammad Jalal Khan Lohari (d. 1717) ***** Sardar Muhammad Yar Khan ****** Sardar Dilawar 'Ali Khan ******* Sardar Iman 'Ali Khan ******** Sardar Hasan 'Ali Khan ********* Sardar Mansur Khan ********** Baqi Muhammad Khan (d. 1860s) *********** ''Nawab'' Ahmad 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab Consort of Bhopal (1854-1902) m. 1874. Simple silver crown

X. Nawab Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal

, CI, GBE (1858-1930; r. 1901-1926, when she abdicated in favour of her son) ************ Simple silver crown

XI. Hajji Hafiz Muhammad Hamidu'llah Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal

(1894-1960; r. 1926-1949; titular Nawab and family head: 1949-1960) ************* Simple silver crown

XII. Mehr-i-Taj Sajida Sultan Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal (1915-1995; titular Nawab Begum and family head: 1960-1995 (legal status and recognition as Nawab Begum revoked December 1971). m. ''Nawab'' Muhammad Iftikhar 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Pataudi (1910-1952) ************** XIII. Sahela Sultan, titular Nawab Begum of Bhopal (1940 - 2020), Head of Royal House of Bhopal, m. Bashir Yar Jung and Muhammad Mansur 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Pataudi, (1941-2011; titular Nawab of Pataudi: 1952-2011 (derecognised 1971); *************** XIV. Muhammad

Saif Ali Khan Saif Ali Khan (; born Sajid Ali Khan Pataudi; 16 August 1970) is an Indian actor and film producer who works in Hindi films. Part of the Pataudi family, he is the son of actress Sharmila Tagore and cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. Khan m ...

, Nawab of Pataudi (b. 1970; titular Nawab of Pataudi: 2011–present **************** ''Sahibzada'' Muhammad Ibrahim 'Ali Khan (b. 2001.) ** Sardar Khan Muhammad Khan *** Sardar Jan Muhammad Khan **** Sardar Nur Muhammad Khan (d. 1714) *****''Sardar'' Aqil Muhammad Khan (d. 1742) ''Wazir'' to Nawab Dost Muhammad Khan. Joint Nawab Regent of Bhopal: 1728-1742 ***** Simple silver crown

I. Dost Muhammad Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal (1672-1728; Nawab of Bhopal: 1723; r. 1723-1728) ******''Nawab'' Yar Muhammad Khan Bahadur, Nawab Regent of Bhopal (1709-1742). Joint Nawab Regent of Bhopal: 1728-1742 ******* Simple silver crown

III. Faiz Muhammad Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal (1731-1777; r. 1742-1777) ******* Simple silver crown

IV. Hayat Muhammad Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal (1736-1807; r. 1777-1807) ******** Simple silver crown

V. Ghaus Muhammad Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal (1767-1826; r. 1807-1826) ********* Simple silver crown

VI. Muiz Muhammad Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal (c. 1795?-1869; r. 1826-1837) ********* ''Nawab Begum'' Qudsia Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum Regent of Bhopal CI (1801-1881; Nawab Begum Regent of Bhopal: 1819-1837). m. ''Nawab'' Nasir Muhammad Khan Bahadur, Nawab Regent of Bhopal (1793-1819; Regent of Bhopal: 1816-1819) and had issue - see below. ****** Simple silver crown

II. Sultan Muhammad Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal (1720-after 1742; r. 1728-1742) ****** ''Nawabzada'' Fazil Muhammad Khan ******* ''Mian'' Sharif Muhammad Khan (d. 1787) ******** ''Nawab'' Wazir Muhammad Khan Bahadur, Nawab Regent of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal (1766-1816; Regent of Bhopal: 1808-1816) *********''Mian'' Amir Muhammad Khan (d. 1854) ********** Simple silver crown

VII. Jahangir Muhammad Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal (1816-1844; r. 1837-1844). m. Simple silver crown

VIII. Sikander Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal (1817-1868; Nawab Begum Regent of Bhopal: 1847-1860; Nawab Begum of Bhopal: 1860-1868) *********** Simple silver crown

IX. Nawab Sultan Shah Jahan Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal

, CI (1838-1901; r. 1844-1860, 1868-1901) ************ Simple silver crown

X. Nawab Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal

, CI, GBE (1858-1930; r. 1901-1926, when she abdicated in favour of her son) m. ''Nawab'' Ahmad 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab Consort of Bhopal (1854-1902) - see above ********* ''Nawab'' Nasir Muhammad Khan Bahadur, Nawab Regent of Bhopal (1793-1819; Regent of Bhopal: 1816-1819). m. ''Nawab Begum'' Qudsia Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum Regent of Bhopal (1801-1881; Nawab Begum Regent of Bhopal: 1819-1837). and had issue: ********** Simple silver crown

VIII. Sikander Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal

(1817-1868; Nawab Begum Regent of Bhopal: 1847-1860; Nawab Begum of Bhopal: 1860-1868) Bhopal postage - HH Nawab Shahjahan Begam

Bhopal Stage Postage and Revenue - 1 anna

References

{{reflist

External links

The Begums of Bhopal

People from Bhopal History of Bhopal 1707 establishments in India