Bhopal State

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). 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 northern bank of the Upper Lake. He named this new fort Fatehgarh (“the fort of victory”). Later the capital was shifted to the current city of Bhopal.

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 1730s, the Marathas were expanding into the region, and Dost Mohammed Khan and his 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 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. 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.

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.

In February-March 1818, Bhopal became a princely state in British India as a result of the 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 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.

Queens of Bhopal State

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 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 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.

Sikander Jahan Begum

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 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).

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.

Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum ‘Sarkar Amma’

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 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 Aligarh Muslim University.,

Bhopal is the capital of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the largest city in the state and the 17th largest city in India. Bhopal is located on the banks of the Narmada River, at an elevation of 530 meters (1,740 feet). The city has a Population of over 2 million people.

Bhopal was founded in the 11th century by Raja Bhoj of the Paramara dynasty. The city was originally named Bhojpal, after its founder. Bhopal was ruled by a number of different dynasties over the centuries, including the Paramaras, the Mughals, and the Marathas. In 1707, Bhopal was captured by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The city was then ruled by the Mughals until 1723, when it was captured by the Marathas.

In 1733, Bhopal was founded as an independent state by Qutb Shah, a general of the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah. Qutb Shah’s daughter, Qudsia Begum, became the first ruler of Bhopal. The city was ruled by a series of female rulers, known as the Begums of Bhopal, until 1926.

In 1947, Bhopal became a part of the Indian Union. The city was the site of the Bhopal disaster in 1984, when a gas leak from a Union Carbide pesticide plant killed over 20,000 people and injured over 100,000 others.

Today, Bhopal is a major industrial and commercial center. The city is home to a number of industries, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and engineering. Bhopal is also a major educational center, with a number of universities and colleges. The city is also a popular tourist destination, with a number of historical and cultural attractions.

Bhopal is a city with a rich history and culture. The city is home to a number of historical monuments, including the Taj-ul-Masjid, the Moti Masjid, and the Jama Masjid. Bhopal is also home to a number of museums, including the State Museum, the Tribal Museum, and the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya.

Bhopal is a city with a vibrant culture. The city is home to a number of festivals, including the Bhopal Mahotsav, the Vasant Utsav, and the Holi Utsav. Bhopal is also home to a number of art galleries, theaters, and cinemas.

Bhopal is a city with a lot to offer visitors. The city is home to a number of historical and cultural attractions, as well as a number of festivals and events. Bhopal is also a major industrial and commercial center, with a number of universities and colleges.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about Bhopal:

What is Bhopal known for?
Bhopal is known for the Bhopal disaster, a gas leak that occurred at the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant on December 2, 1984. The disaster killed over 20,000 people and injured over 100,000 others.
What is the population of Bhopal?
The population of Bhopal is over 1.5 million people.
What is the Climate of Bhopal?
The climate of Bhopal is tropical savanna. The summers are hot and humid, while the winters are mild.
What is the language spoken in Bhopal?
The main language spoken in Bhopal is Hindi.
What is the religion of Bhopal?
The majority of people in Bhopal are Hindu.
What is the economy of Bhopal?
The economy of Bhopal is based on Industry, agriculture, and tourism.
What are some of the tourist attractions in Bhopal?
Some of the tourist attractions in Bhopal include the Taj-ul-Masjid, the Bharat Bhavan, and the Van Vihar National Park.
What are some of the famous people from Bhopal?
Some of the famous people from Bhopal include Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Kamal Nath.
What is the best time to visit Bhopal?
The best time to visit Bhopal is during the winter months (November to February), when the weather is mild.
What is the best way to get around Bhopal?
The best way to get around Bhopal is by car or taxi. There is also a public bus system, but it is not very reliable.
Where can I stay in Bhopal?
There are a number of hotels and guesthouses in Bhopal. Some of the more popular hotels include the Taj-ul-Masjid Hotel, the Bharat Bhavan Hotel, and the Van Vihar National Park Hotel.
What is the food like in Bhopal?
The food in Bhopal is a mix of Indian and Persian cuisine. Some of the popular dishes include biryani, kebabs, and tandoori chicken.
What is the nightlife like in Bhopal?
There are a number of bars and clubs in Bhopal. Some of the more popular bars include the Blue Frog, the Hard Rock Cafe, and the Mojo’s Bistro.
What is the cost of living in Bhopal?
The cost of living in Bhopal is relatively low. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $200 per month. A meal at a mid-range restaurant costs around $5.
What is the currency in Bhopal?
The currency in Bhopal is the Indian rupee.
What is the voltage and frequency of the electricity in Bhopal?
The voltage in Bhopal is 220 volts and the frequency is 50 Hz.
What is the time zone in Bhopal?
The time zone in Bhopal is UTC+5:30.
What is the emergency number in Bhopal?
The emergency number in Bhopal is 100.

The capital of India is:
(A) New Delhi
(B) Bhopal
(C) Mumbai
(D) Chennai
The Official Language of India is:
(A) Hindi
(B) English
(C) Tamil
(D) Telugu
The population of India is over:
(A) 1 billion
(B) 2 billion
(C) 3 billion
(D) 4 billion
The currency of India is:
(A) Rupee
(B) Dollar
(C) Euro
(D) Pound
The national animal of India is:
(A) Tiger
(B) Lion
(C) Elephant
(D) Rhinoceros
The national bird of India is:
(A) Peacock
(B) Parrot
(C) Eagle
(D) Swan
The national flower of India is:
(A) Lotus
(B) Rose
(C) Jasmine
(D) Sunflower
The National Flag of India is:
(A) Orange, white, and green
(B) Saffron, white, and green
(C) Red, white, and blue
(D) Blue, white, and red
The National Anthem of India is:
(A) Jana Gana Mana
(B) Vande Mataram
(C) Saare Jahan Se Accha
(D) Hum Hindustani
The national motto of India is:
(A) Satyameva Jayate
(B) Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
(C) Jai Hind
(D) Bharat Mata Ki Jai
The first Prime Minister of India was:
(A) Jawaharlal Nehru
(B) Lal Bahadur Shastri
(C) Indira Gandhi
(D) Rajiv Gandhi
The current President of India is:
(A) Ram Nath Kovind
(B) Pranab Mukherjee
(C) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
(D) Pratibha Patil
The current Prime Minister of India is:
(A) Narendra Modi
(B) Manmohan Singh
(C) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
(D) Indira Gandhi
The highest mountain in India is:
(A) Mount Everest
(B) K2
(C) Kanchenjunga
(D) Dhaulagiri
The longest river in India is:
(A) Ganges
(B) Brahmaputra
(C) Indus
(D) Yamuna
The largest state in India by area is:
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Madhya Pradesh
(C) Uttar Pradesh
(D) Jammu and Kashmir
The most populous state in India is:
(A) Uttar Pradesh
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Bihar
(D) West Bengal
The most spoken language in India is:
(A) Hindi
(B) Bengali
(C) Telugu
(D) Tamil
The most popular sport in India is:
(A) Cricket
(B) Hockey
(C) Football
(D) Kabaddi
The national dish of India is:
(A) Chicken tikka masala
(B) Butter chicken
(C) Biryani
(D) Samosa