Bhopal state was an independent state of 18th century India, a princely state of British India from 1818 to 1947, and an Indian state from 1949 to 1956. (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... A princely state or native state was a feudal monarchy in British India ruled by a hereditary ruler, who was nominally sovereign. ... The British Raj is an informal term for the period of British rule of most of the Indian subcontinent, or present-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (previously known as Ceylon). ... 1818 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... India is subdivided into twenty-eight states, six union territories and the National Capital Territory. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) is a common year starting on Saturday. ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Establishment

The state was established in 1724 by the Afghan Sardar Dost Mohammed Khan, who was a commander in the Mughal army posted at Mangalgarh (which lies to the north of the modern city of Bhopal). Taking advantage of the disintegration of the Mughal empire, he usurped Mangalgarh and Berasia (now a tehsil of the Bhopal District). When Dost Mohammed Khan's nephew assassinated the Gond Queen Kamalapati's husband, he executed his own nephew and restored the Queen's little kingdom back to her. The Queen gave him a princely sum of money and the Mouza village (which is situated near the modern Bhopal city). Events January 14 - King Philip V of Spain abdicates the throne February 20 - The premiere of Giulio Cesare, an Italian opera by George Frideric Handel, takes place in London June 23 - Treaty of Constantinople signed. ... Sardar in Marathi language means an army chieftain (who may own a Jagir). ... The Mughal Empire (alternative spelling Mogul, which is the origin of the word Mogul) of India was founded by Babur in 1526, when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans at the First Battle of Panipat. ... Bhopal is a city in central India. ... A tehsil or taluk is an administrative subdivision or tier found in several South Asian countries. ... Bhopal District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. ... Gondi refers to a people and their language in Central India. ...

After the death of last Gond queen, Dost Mohammed Khan took and seized the little Gond Kingdom and established his capital 10 km away from modern Bhopal, at Jagdishpur. He named his capital as Islamnagar (meaning the city of Islam). He built a small fort and some palaces at Islamnagar, the ruins of which can be seen even today. After few years, he built a bigger fort situated on the northern bank of the Upper Lake. He named this new fort as Fatehgarh (the fort of victory). Later the capital was shifted to the current city of Bhopal. Islām is described as a dÄ«n, meaning way of life and/or guidance. Six articles of belief There are six basic beliefs shared by all Muslims: 1. ... Fortifications (Latin fortis, strong, and facere, to make) are military constructions designed for defensive warfare. ... The quintessential medieval European palace: Palais de la Cité, in Paris, the royal palace of France. ... The Bhoj Wetland consists of two lakes located in the city of Bhopal, the capital of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. ...

Early rulers

Although Dost Mohammed Khan was the virtual ruler of Bhopal, he still acknowledged the suzerainty of the declining Mughal Empire. His successors however, acquired the title of "Nawab" and declared Bhopal an independent state. By the 1730's the Marathas were expanding into the region, and Dost Mohammed Khan and his successors fought wars with their neighbours to protect the small territory and also fought among themselves for control of the state. The Hindu Marathas conquered several nearby states, including Indore to the west and 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. A Nawab was originally the provincial governor or viceroy of a province or region of the Mughal empire. ... Events Pope Clement XII elected September 17 - Change of emperor of the Ottoman Empire from Ahmed III (1703-1730) to Mahmud I (1730-1754) Anna Ivanova (Anna I of Russia) became czarina Births April 16 - Henry Clinton, British general (d. ... Maratha is an Indo-Aryan, kshatriya (warrior) caste of Marathi language speaking people primarily residing in the plains and hills of Indias western state of Maharashtra. ... A Hindu is an adherent of Hinduism, the predominant religious, philosophical and cultural systems of Bharat (India) and Nepal. ... Maratha is an Indo-Aryan, kshatriya (warrior) caste of Marathi language speaking people primarily residing in the plains and hills of Indias western state of Maharashtra. ... Indore is the commercial capital of the Malwa region and the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh (MP). ... Teli-ka-Mandir Gwalior is a city in Madhya Pradesh, India. ...

Nawab Jehangir Mohammed Khan established a cantonment at a distance of one mile from the fort. This was called Jehangirabad after him. He built gardens and barracks for British guests and soldiers in Jehangirabad. A cantonment is a temporary or semi-permanent military quarters, typically in South India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. ... Part of a garden in Bristol, England A flower bed in the gardens of Bristol Zoo, England Checkered flower bed in Tours, France Youll find it near, youll find it far. ...

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 of Bhopal 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. 1778 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The First Anglo-Maratha War was the first of three Anglo-Maratha wars fought between the the United Kingdom and Maratha Empire in India. ... 1809 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803 - 1805) was a second conflict between Britain and the Maratha empire in India. ... A Nawab was originally the provincial governor or viceroy of a province or region of the Mughal empire. ... 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817 - 1818) was a final and decisive conflict between Britain and the Maratha empire in India, which left Britain in control of most of India. ... The British Raj (also simply known as the Raj) was a historical period during which most of the Indian subcontinent, or present-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, were under the colonial authority of the British. ...

In 1818, Bhopal became a princely state in British India. Bhopal state included the present-day Bhopal, Raisen, and Sehore districts, and was part of the Central India Agency. It straddled the Vindhya Range, with the northern portion lying on the Malwa plateau, and the southern portion lying in the valley of the Narmada River, which formed the state's southern boundary. Bhopal Agency 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. 1818 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... A princely state or native state was a feudal monarchy in British India ruled by a hereditary ruler, who was nominally sovereign. ... The British Raj is an informal term for the period of British rule of most of the Indian subcontinent, or present-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (previously known as Ceylon). ... Raisen is a town in Madhya Pradesh state of central India. ... Sehore, a town that is also the district headquarters of Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh state, India, is located on Bhopal-Indore highway, 39 km away from Bhopal. ... The Central India Agency was a political unit of British India, which covered the northern half of present-day Madhya Pradesh state. ... The Vindhya Range is a range of hills in central India, which geographically separates The Indian subcontinent into northern India and Southern India. ... Malwa (माळवा in Malvi) is a region of western India, occupying a plateau of volcanic origin lying in the western part of Madhya Pradesh state and the southeastern part of Rajasthan state. ... In geology and earth science, a plateau (alternatively spelt in a false French spelling plâteau, the real spelling in French being plateau) is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat open country if the uplift was recent in geologic history. ... Fljótsdalur in East-Iceland A valley is a landform, which can range from a few square miles (square kilometers) to hundreds or even thousands of square miles (square kilometers) in area. ... The Narmada or Nerbudda is a river in central India. ... Khilchipur is a town in Rajgarh District of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. ... Raigarh is part of Chattisgarh. ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Dewas is a city in western Madhya Pradesh state of central India. ... The Governor-General of India (or Governor-General and Viceroy of India) was the head of the British administration in India. ...

The rule of the Begums

Qudsia 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 reigns 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 purdah tradition. 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. 1819 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Purdah (Urdu, Persian: پردہ ; transliterated as purda) is the practice of requiring women to cover their bodies so as to cover their skin and conceal their form. ... 1837 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

Sikander Begum

In 1844, Sikander Begum succeeded her mother as the ruler of Bhopal. Her name means Alexander the Great in Arabic. She was indeed, as brave her Greek namesake. She too never observed purdah. She was trained in all the martial arts and she fought many battles. During the Indian rebellion of 1857, she sided with the British and crushed all those who revolted against them. She did a lot of public 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). 1844 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Alexander the Great fighting the Persian king Darius (Pompeii mosaic, from a 3rd century BC original Greek painting, now lost). ... Purdah (Urdu, Persian: پردہ ; transliterated as purda) is the practice of requiring women to cover their bodies so as to cover their skin and conceal their form. ... 1857–1858 was a period of armed uprising as well as rebellions in mostly northern and central India against British occupation of the subcontinent. ...

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 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 beautiful buildings 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. During her rule, in 1900, the complete failure of the monsoon rains led to a severe famine in Bhopal. Taj Mahal - the icon of India, was built (1630 - 1653) by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum of his loving wife Mumtaz Mahal Ghiyasuddin Shah Jahan (شاہ جحاں, also spelled Shah Jehan, Shahjehan, etc. ... This topic is considered to be an essential subject on Wikipedia. ... For the band Monsoon see Sheila Chandra Monsoon in the Vindhya, a mountain chain in central India A monsoon is a periodic wind, especially in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia. ...

Sultan Jahan Begum

Sultan Jahan Begum, daughter of Shah Jahan Begum, succeeded her in 1901. She further advanced the emancipation of women and established a modern municipal system. She had her own palace Sardar Manzil (the present headquarters of Bhopal Municipal Corporation). But she preferred the quiet and serene environment at the outskirts of the city. She developed her own walled mini-city, named Ahmedabad after her late husband (not to be confused with Ahmedabad, 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 Muslim University of Aligarh. Ahmedabad (અમદાવાદ in Gujarati) or Ahmadābād is the largest city in Gujarat and the 7th largest city in India with a population of 5 million. ... Gujarat (ગુજરાત in Gujarati) is the most industrialized state in India after Maharashtra and is located in western India, bordered by Pakistan to the northwest and Rajasthan to the north. ... Victoria gate, a part of Aligarh University campus Aligarh (Hindi: अलीगढ़) is a city in the Uttar Pradesh state of India. ...

Sultan Jahan Begum's son, Nawab Hamidullah ascended the throne in 1926. He was Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes. His Heiress Apparent, Princess Abida Sultan, gave up her right to the throne and opted for Pakistan in 1950 and entered Pakistan's Foreign service. Therefore, the Government of India excluded her from the succession and her younger sister succeeded in her stead. Abida Sultaan arrived in the newly created Pakistan when she was 37 and a mother of a young son. She was to spend the greater part of her life in Pakistan (she died in 2002.) Her son, Shaharyar Khan, was to become the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and then the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. If his mother had not given up her claim to the throne, Shaharyar Khan, would have been the Nawab of Bhopal as well as the Nawab of Kurwai, since his father was the Nawab of Kurwai. 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ...

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 a cosmopolitan culture took its roots. Even the Pathans, famous for their roughness and soldier-like nature, acquired a taste of culture and indulged in poetry, arts and literature. The Pashtuns (also Pushtun, Pakhtun, or ethnic Afghan; in referring to the period of the British Raj or earlier, sometimes Pathan) are an ethnic/religious group of people, living primarily in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India who follow Pashtunwali, their indigenous religion. ...

After Indian independence

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. August 15 is the 227th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (228th in leap years), with 138 days remaining. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Various princely states existed in India during the period of the British Raj. ... India is subdivided into twenty-eight states, six union territories and the National Capital Territory. ... May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) is a common year starting on Saturday. ... Sindhi refers to an ethnic group of people originating in Sindh which is part of present day Pakistan. ...

Bhopal state, which included the present-day districts of Bhopal, Raisen, and Sehore, became a "Part C" state, governed by a chief commissioner appointed by the President of India. Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma served as chief commissioner of Bhopal state from 1952 to 1956, and later became President of India from 1992 to 1997. Bhopal District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. ... Raisen District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state of India. ... Sehore District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. ... Standard of the President of India The President of India is the ceremonial head of state and first citizen of India and the Supreme Commander of the Indian armed forces. ... Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (August 19, 1918 - December 26, 1999) was an Indian scholar and politician, most notable for serving as President of India from 1992 until 1997. ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

According to the Act of Reorganization of States in 1956, Bhopal state was integrated into the state of Madhya Pradesh, and Bhopal was declared as its capital. The population of the city rose rapidly. 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Madhya Pradesh (मध्य प्रदेश) is a state in central India. ...