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Bhopal

Bhopal
1723–1949
Flag of Bhopal
Flag
Coat of arms of Bhopal
Coat of arms
Motto: Nasr Minullah
Status Princely state of India (1818–1949)
Capital Bhopal
Islamnagar (for a brief period)
Common languages Persian (official), Hindustani
Religion
Islam and Hinduism
Government Principality
Nawab of Bhopal  
• 1723–1728
Dost Mohammad Khan(first)
• 1926–1949
Hamidullah Khan (last)
History  
• Established
1723
• Disestablished
1 June 1949
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Mughal Empire
India

Bhopal State (pronounced) was an independent state of 18th century India. It was founded in 1723. It was a princely state of the British Raj from 1818 to 1947. It was an independent country from 1947 to 1949. At first, the capital was Islamnagar. Later the capital moved to the city of Bhopal.

Rule of the Begums

Bhopal was the second largest Muslim state in pre-independence India, after Hyderabad. Between 1819 and 1926, it was ruled by four women – Begums – unique in the royalty of those days. Qudsia Begum was the first woman ruler, who was succeeded by her only daughter Sikandar Begum, who in turn was succeeded by her only daughter, Shahjehan Begum. Jahan Begum was the last woman ruler, who after 25 years of rule, abdicated in favour of her son, Nawab Sir Hamidullah Khan. The rule of Begums gave the city its waterworks, railways, a postal system and a municipality constituted in 1907. 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.

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