51. Nawab Begum Dame Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan

Nawab Begum Dame Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan, GCSI, GCIE, GBE, GCStJ, CI, KIH (9 July 1858 – 12 May 1930) was a notable and progressive Begum of Bhopal who ruled from 1901 to 1926.


Early life
Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan (here Sultan is a name, not a title) was born at Bhopal as the elder and only surviving child of Nawab Begum Sultan Shah Jahan and her husband General HH Nasir ud-Daula, Nawab Baqi Muhammad Khan Bahadur (1823–1867). In 1868, she was proclaimed heir apparent to the Bhopal musnaid following the death of her grandmother, Sikander Begum and her mother's succession to the throne. In 1901, Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan succeeded her mother at her death.

 Nawab Begum of Dar-ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal

A great reformer in the tradition of her mother and grandmother, Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan founded several important educational institutions in Bhopal, establishing free and compulsory primary education in 1918. During her reign, she had a particular focus on public instruction, especially female education. She built many technical institutes and schools and increased the number of qualified teachers. From 1920 until her death, she was the founding Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. Even till today, she is the only lady Chancellor ever served for Aligarh Muslim University.
Not just a reformer in the field of education, the Nawab Begum reformed taxation, the army, police, the judiciary and the jails, expanded agriculture, and constructed extensive irrigation and public works in the state. Also, she established an Executive and Legislative State Council in 1922 and began open elections for the municipalities.
In 1914, she was the President of the All-India Muslim Ladies' Association. Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan's primary legacy, though, was in the field of public health, as she pioneered widespread inoculation and vaccination programs and improved the water supply and standards of hygiene and sanitation. A prolific author, she wrote several books on education, health and other topics, including Hidayat uz-Zaujan, Sabil ul-Jinan, Tandurusti (Health), Bachchon-ki-Parwarish, Hidayat Timardari, Maishat-o-Moashirat. Owing to her numerous activities, she was the recipient of numerous honours and awards.
In 1926, after a reign of 25 years, Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan abdicated the throne in favour of her youngest child and only surviving son, Hamidullah Khan. She died four years later, aged 71.


Personal life

On 1 February 1874, Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan married HH Ali Jah, Ihtisham ul-Mulk, Nasir ud-Daula, Nawab Ahmad Ali Khan Bahadur, Sultan Dulha Sahib, Nawab Consort of Bhopal, KIH (1854–1902), a distant cousin, many times removed, and a member of the senior male-line branch of the dynasty. The couple had three sons and two daughters:

• 1. Sahibzadi Bilqis Jahan Muzaffar Begum Sahiba (25 October 1875 - 23 December 1887)
• 2. Colonel Ali Jah, Nawab Hafiz Sir Muhammad Nasru'llah Khan Sahib Bahadur, Wali Ahad Bahadur, Heir Apparent of Bhopal, KCSI (3 December 1876 - 3 September 1924). Granted a personal salute of 9-guns in 1901; commissioned a Major in 1912, promoted to Colonel in 1918. Named Chief Conservator of Forests in 1924, he was married twice and had two sons and a daughter
• 3. Major-General Al-Haj Mohsin ul-Mulk, Nawab Hafiz Muhammad Ubaidu'llah Khan Sahib Bahadur, CSI (30 November 1878 - 24 March 1924). Brigadier and C-in-C of the Bhopal State Forces and Imperial Service Troops, 1905; promoted to Major-General in 1918. Commissioned a Captain in the Indian Army in 1909; promoted to Major in 1911 and to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1921; married and had four sons and a daughter
• 4. Sahibzadi Asif Jahan Begum Sahiba (5 August 1880 - 22 July 1894)
• 5. HH Sikander Saulat, Iftikhar ul-Mulk, Al-Haj Nawab Hafiz Muhammad Hamidullah Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal

Titles

• 1858-1868: Nawabzadi Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum Sahiba
• 1868-1877: Nawabzadi Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum Sahiba, Wali Ahad Bahadur
• 1877-1901: Nawabzadi Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum Sahiba, Wali Ahad Bahadur, KIH
• 1901-1904: Her Highness Sikander Saulat, Iftikhar ul-Mulk, Nawab Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal, KIH
• 1904-1910: Her Highness Sikander Saulat, Iftikhar ul-Mulk, Nawab Dame Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal, GCIE, KIH
• 1910-1911: Her Highness Sikander Saulat, Iftikhar ul-Mulk, Nawab Dame Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal, GCSI, GCIE, KIH
• 1911-1917: Her Highness Sikander Saulat, Iftikhar ul-Mulk, Nawab Dame Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal, GCSI, GCIE, CI, KIH
• 1917-1930: Her Highness Sikander Saulat, Iftikhar ul-Mulk, Nawab Dame Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal, GCSI, GCIE, CI, GBE, KIH

 Honours

• Kaiser-i-Hind silver medal (KIH) - 1877
• Delhi Durbar gold medal - 1903
• Dame Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE)-1904
• Dame Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (GCSI)-1910
• Companion of the Order of the Crown of India (CI) - 1911
• Order of Nobility (Nishan-i-Majidi) of the Ottoman Empire - 1911
• Dame Grand Cross of the Venerable Order of Saint John (GCStJ) - 1916
• Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) -1917

Source : Wikipedia


Born: 9th July 1858, Princely state of Bhopal, India
Died: 12th May, 1930
Spouse:H.H. 'Ali Jah, Ihtisham ul-Mulk, Nasir ud-Daula, Nawab Ahmad 'Ali Khan Bahadur of Muzaffar Nagar, Sultan Dulha Sahib, Nawab Consort of Bhopal
Father:General H.H. Nasir ud-Daula, Nawab Baqi Muhammad Khan
Mother:Sultan Shah Jahan Begum (29th July 1838- 16th June, 1901) Ruler of Bhopal from 11th April 1845 to 30th April, 1860 & 2nd November 1868 to 16th June 1901)
Children: Nawab Hafiz Sir Muhammad Nasru'llah Khan Sahib Bahadur, KCSI Al-Haj Mohsin ul-Mulk, Nawab Hafiz Muhammad Ubaidu'llah Khan Sahib Bahadur, CSI Al-Haj Nawabzada Hafiz Muhammad Hamidu'llah Khan (Chancellor of AMU-Aligarh – 21st Sep. 1930 to 17th April 1935), Sahabzadi Bilqis Jahan Begum, Sahabzadi Asif Jahan Begum

Career:

16th June 1901-29th April 926: Nawab Begum of Darul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal, Ruler of Bhopal
17th Dec.1920-12th May 1930:Founder Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
The first Indian woman to become a chancellor of an Indian University
1914: President. All-India Muslim Ladies Conference
1918: Founder, All India Ladies Association

Honors:

1st Jan 1910 :Knight Grand Commander (GCSI)
24th June, 1904: Knight Grand Commander (GCIE)
CI (1st Dec. 1911), GBE (27th Dec. 1917) Delhi Durbar gold medal (1903), Coronation medal (1911 with Durbar clasp), DGBStJ (17.3.1916),
20.8.1911: Order of Nobility (Nishan-i-Majidi) 1st class in brilliants of Turkey

Books Authored:

Bachoon Ki Parvarish, Gohar e Iqbal, Gule Khanda, Hayat e Shah Jahani (Persian), Hayat e Shah Jahani (Urdu), Rouzatur Riyaheen, The Story of a Pilgrimage to Hijaz, Hidayat uz-Zaujan, Sabil ul-Jinan, Tandurusti (Health), Hidayat Timardari, Maishat-o-Moashirat.

Biography:

There is an impression that in India women did not have much freedom and were practically imprisoned in the kitchen.
It is clear from the pages of Indian history that many women were efficient rulers and even led armies on the battlefield and fought valiantly.Take her for example" Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum alias Begum Sultan Jahan. She who advanced the emancipation of women,established a modern municipality and she had her own palace Sadar Manzil as well as developed her own walled mini-city. The Begum installed the first water pump here. She was the first president of the All India Conference on Education and first chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University.

H.H. Sikander Saulat, Iftikhar ul-Mulk, Nawab Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum of Darul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal, was born at Bhopal on 9th July 1858. She was eldest child of the family of H.H. Nawab Sultan Shah Jahan Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum of Dar ul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal, and General H.H. Nasir ud-Daula, Nawab Baqi Muhammad Khan Bahadur, Umrao Dulha, Nusrat Jang. Her younger sister, Sahibzadi Sulaiman Jahan Begum Sahiba was born at Bhopal on 26th November 1860, but died from smallpox on 8th June 1865. So Begum Kaikhusrau Sultan Jahan, popularly known as Begum Sultan Jahan was only surviving child and heir of Darul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal. As per the Islamic and royal traditions of Darul-Iqbal-i-Bhopal, she was privately educated at the place. Her maternal grandmother, Nawab Sikandar Begum Sahiba paid special attention on her education. Qualified teachers and instructors were appointed for Urdu, Persian, Arabic and English. She was trained in horse riding, shooting and archery. She also learned handicraft, traditional arts and Calligraphy. Special attention were paid for Islamic and Quranic studies. On 30th October 1868, Begum Sultan Jahan’s grandmother Nawab Sikandar Begum Sahiba, ruler of Bhopal died due to kidney failure and H.H. Nawab Sultan Shah Jahan Begum took over the rein of Bhopal. Young Sultan Jahan Begum became the Crown Princes of Bhopal. Her strict academic schedule got affected due to her engagements with state affairs being as crown princes but she managed to continue her academic pursuit. She continued to receive Tafseerul Quran lessons from Maulvi Jamaluddin Khan and Persian lessons from Maulvi Mohammad Ayub. In spite of her busy schedules, she never missed her English lessons. Her acceptance speech at coronation ceremony was remarkable and had long lasting impression on the attendees. Begum Sultan Jahan was married to H.H. 'Ali Jah, Ihtisham ul-Mulk, Nasir ud-Daula, Nawab Ahmad 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Sultan Dulha Sahib, Nawab Consort of Bhopal at Shaukat Mahal, Bhopal on 1st February 1874. Nawab Ahmad 'Ali Khan Bahadur was born in January 1854 at state of Jelallabad of Muzaffar Nagar. Allah blessed them with 5 children; Nawab Hafiz Sir Muhammad Nasru'llah Khan Sahib Bahadur, KCSI, Al-Haj Mohsin ul-Mulk, Nawab Hafiz Muhammad Ubaidu'llah Khan Sahib Bahadur, CSI, Al-Haj Nawabzada Hafiz Muhammad Hamidu'llah Khan, Sahabzadi Bilqis Jahan Begum and Sahabzadi Asif Jahan Begum.

On 16th June1901, H.H. Nawab Sultan Shah Jahan Begum Sahiba, ruler of Bhopal died and Nawab Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum, the only surviving child of Sultan Shah Jahan begum became the Ruler of Bhopal. The official Installation ceremony was held on 4th July, 1901 at the Sadar Manzil, Bhopal. On 4 July 1901, Sultan Jahan assumed the title of ruler of Bhopal at the mature age of 43 after serving 33 arduous, harrowing years under Shah Jahan as heir apparent. All three preceding Begums had mounted the masnad at a young age – Qudsia Jahan was 19 when she became regent of Bhopal, Sikandar Jahan was regent of Bhopal at 26, while Shah Jahan was titular ruler of Bhopal at the age of seven and full fledged Begum of Bhopal at 30. As she was proclaimed ruler of Bhopal, Sultan Jahan looked older then her 43 years. Immediately after Begum Shah Jahan’s death, the British moved quickly to announce her succession as ruler of Bhopal. The Investiture Durbar was held at Sadar Manzil of Bhopal, at which Mr. Wyndham represented Lord Curzon, the Viceroy and Governor-General of India, the first assistant to the resident. Soon after becoming the Ruler of Bhopal, begum Sultan Jahan lost her husband. Nawab Ahmad 'Ali Khan Bahadur died on 4th January 1902 in Bhopal. As Sultan Jahan took over the states administration, she found that the cupboard was bare. Shah Jahan and her henchmen had dissipated the finances to the extent that the state was heavily in debt and only 40,000 rupees were left in the treasury. A fighter by nature, Sultan Jahan resolved to put matters right, rolled up her sleeves and began the uphill task of rehabilitation and revival. For over a year Sultan Jahan built up her own team of upright and conscientious officials who helped her put the ship of state back on an even keel Sultan Jahan’s first task was to gain confidence of her rural subjects and helping Bhopal recover from Shah Jahan’s lax and divisive rule. Sultan Jahan’s visit to the outlying villages was not simply representational tours, but serious attempts at seeking solutions to agrarian problems. The atmosphere was all work and austerity, with long hours spent listening to the plaints of village folks. There was no shikar, polo playing or midnight revelry as in Shah Jahan’s days, but an ambiance of rigorous hard work for herself and her staff. She inducted her grown-up sons, Nasrullah and Obaidullah, into the process of governance and administration and even “little Hamid”, her eight-year-old third son, accompanied his mother to be given a taste of royal responsibility. She further advanced the emancipation of women and established a modern municipality in 1903. By 1911, King Edward VII of England had died and George V was to be crowned. Sultan Jahan was invited to attend the Coronation in London. Sultan Jahan left heir apparent Nasrullah in Bhopal to hold the fort while she took Obaidullah, his wife Shahryar Dulhan, Hamid and his child bride Maimoona Sultan with her on her journey to Europe. She attended the coronation of King George V in 1911 dressed in a burqa with her awards worn on the outside. During the trip, she visited Paris, a spa in Bad Nauenheim in Germany, spent a week in Genève and travelled by the Orient Express to Istanbul, where she met the sultan-emperor, Mehmet Reshad. She also visited Hungary, Italy and Egypt where she embarked on her return journey to a Bhopal struck by plague. Later that year she attended the Imperial Dunbar in Delhi. She introduced free compulsory primary education in 1918. She Established an Executive and Legislative Council in 1922. A great reformer, like her mother and grandmother, she reformed taxation, the army, police, the judiciary and jails, expanded agriculture, and constructed extensive irrigation and public works. She established an appointed state council and legislative assembly, and instigated elections for municipalities. However, her main legacy is public health, by pioneering widespread inoculation and vaccination program, improving sanitation, hygiene and the water supply. On 29th April 1926, while still away from Bhopal in London, Sultan Jahan informed the secretary of state for India, Lord Stamfordham that she was abdicating as Begum of Bhopal in favor of her son, Al-Haj Nawabzada Hafiz Muhammad Hamidu'llah Khan. A decision that stupefied the British ministers. There was another flurry of legal controversy in the Viceroy’s Secretariat questioning the Begum’s right to abdicate as ruler of Bhopal. The Begum refused to accept, and the British eventually accepted on 17th May 1926 accepting Hafiz Hamidullah Khan as the ruler of Bhopal. . After her abdication, she became an advocate of women’s right. 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.

Association with Aligarh Movement:

The royal family of Bhopal was always supportive to Aligarh Movement. H.H. Begum Shah Jahan supported Scientific Society, donated a sum of 10,000 Rupees for M.A.O. College Jama Masjid construction. Begum Sultan Jahan was very much supportive to the vision and mission of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. She took over the rein of Bhopal after the death of Sir Syed, but always helped M.A.O. College with a great generosity. When Nawab Viqarul Mulk was Secretary of College, a better understanding was developed between M.A.O. College and Begum Sultan Jahan. In 1910, she enrolled her son, Hafiz Hamidullah Khan to M.A.O. College Aligarh. This represented an historic step for the Bhopal royal family, as Hafiz Hamidullah Khan was the first of its members to be given a formal university education. She and other members of the family donated a sum of 50000/- Rupees for College building fund. All India Muslim Educational Conference established by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was also receiving regular support from Begum Sultan Jahan. She visited Aligarh on 27th February, 1914 and laid the foundation stone of All India Muslim Educational Conference building. This building is now known as “Sultan Jahan Manzil”. When H.H. Agha Khan stopped his annual financial help to the College, H.H. Begum Sultan Jahan persuaded him to continue his support for the College. H.H. Agha Khan was convinced and restarted his annual generous donation to College Fund. In annual session of Muslim Educational Conference in 1910, the idea of Muslim University was made public and H.H. Agha Khan and Nawab Viqarul Mulk visited H.H. Begum Sultan Jahan in Allahabad. She immediately donated 100,000/- (One Lakh Rupees for the cause of Muslim University). She also promised to donate money for electricity and electrical appliance for the College. She extended her full support for Muslim University and promised to talk to other princely states, landlord and wealth people and specially to H.H. Nizam of Hyderabad for their support for Muslim University. When the fund raising for Muslim University was started, Bhopal was one of the Provincial Center and Begum Sultan Jahan took a lead role to raise funds. She made encouraging speeches at different places including Price of Wales Ladies Club. She accepted the plaque of Honor from The MAO College Trustees and visited Aligarh to inaugurate Sultan Jahan Building in 1915. She had an open discussion with Trustees and MAO College staff. She gave invaluable advises to the students, staff and Trustees. She also fully financed Allama Shibli Nomani’s Seeratun-Nabi publication. Even after the death of Allama Shibli Nomani, H.H. Begum Sultan Jahan supported Allama Shibli’s designated heir and disciple Maulana Syed Sulaiman Nadvi.

H.H. Begum Sultan Jahan paid attention to women education and supported Mohammad Girls School of Aligarh started by Sheikh Abdullah (Papa Min). The management of Girls school was looking for an acceptable curriculum but due to lack of funds were a major roadblock. H.H. Begum Sultan Jahan paid special attention and donated generously to develop a proper curriculum for women education. She took personal interest and developed an outline of curriculum and presented it in her Presidential address of the women education session of the annual Muslim Educational Conference on 5th December 1911. She proposed the idea of Home science in the curricula of women education to make it more attractive for majority of the community. In her visit to Aligarh in 1915, she inaugurated the Girls School building laid the foundation stone for girl’s hostel.

On December 17th, the Aligarh Muslim University came into being. According to the act (Section III) the first Chancellor, the first Pro-Chancellor and the first Vice-Chancellor were to be appointed by the Governor General of India. In an Annexure the act gave a list of 124 Foundation members of the First AMU Court. The Governor General of India, Lord Chelmsford appointed H.H. Mohammad Ali Mohammad, Raja Mahmudabad as its first Vice- Chancellor. Her Highness Sultan Jahan Begum of Bhopal and H.H. Sir Agha Khan were respectively appointed as Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University. The inaugural ceremony of University took place on the 17th December, 1920.

In spite of her busy schedule Begum Sultan Jahan used to participate in University Function. She presided over the First Convocation of newly established Aligarh Muslim University on 28th December, 1922. In her presidential address, Begum Sultan Jahan said;
“We meet today to celebrate the First Convocation of our University, the fruit of fifty years of our national exertion and aspirations. To the pioneer of this movement, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Mohsinul Mulk and Viqarul Mulk, who first saw the vision of a common and united centre of Muslim culture, and who devoted their lives to its realization, the nation owes a great debt of gratitude. Great would have been their happiness to see their efforts crowned with success. With this noble system of education at the back, The University will rear the genius of men like, Averroes and Avicenna (Ibn Sina), Sheikh Saadi, Al-Ghazali, Ibne Musa, Abu Maashar-i-Falaki, Shah Waliullah, Shah Abdul Azeez, Haali and Shibli, who will rekindle the spark of Islamic civilization and usher in a brighter and more glorious era in the annals of Islam.”

Begum Sultan Jahan also addressed the annual convocation of 1925. She extended her support and served as Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University till her last breath. After her sad demise on 12th May 1930, her son, ruler of Bhopal and M.A.O. College alumnus, Nawab Hafiz Hamidullah Khan was elected as Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.

Sultan Jahan Manzil, AMU Aligarh India







The Viceroy Lord Minto and the Vicereine with the Begum of Bhopal and her four grandsons 1907







Begum Sultan Jahan leaving-her London hotel while attending the coronation ceremony of King George V in 1911

The Begum of Bhopal Sultan Jahan escorts the Prince of Wales to the Durbar Hall, India, 1921







The Begum of Bhopal Sultan with her office executive and Viceroy of India India, 1921















Young Begum Sultan Jahan







Begum Sultan Jahan










Begum Sultan Jahan