Sikandar Begum: The Fearless Architect of Bhopal’s Golden Era
By Afroz Khan, New Age Islam
4 October 2025
Nawab Sikandar Begum, born in 1817, ruled Bhopal from 1844-1868, first as regent, then independently. A visionary leader, she advanced education, healthcare, justice, and infrastructure. Her historic Haj pilgrimage and book Tarikh-e-Safar-e-Makka marked her as Bhopal’s trailblazing woman ruler.
Main Points:
1. Sikandar Begum ruled Bhopal (1844-1868), first as regent, then independently.
2. Established schools, medical department, and postal service.
3. Reformed justice with appellate court and Majlis-e-Shura.
4. Built Moti Masjid and Shaukat Mahal.
5. First woman ruler to undertake and document Haj pilgrimage.
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From the 18th century to the 19th century, Bhopal State was the only princely state in the whole of India ruled by four women Nawabs, and their reign was unprecedented.
They took every possible step for the development of the state, presenting evidence of their administrative capabilities.
Nawab Sikandar Begum was born on 10 September 1817 in Gauhar Mahal, Bhopal. Her mother was Nawab Qudsia Begum (the first woman ruler of Bhopal), and her father’s name was Nasir Mohammad Khan. In 1835, Sikandar Begum was married to Nawab Jahangir Mohammad Khan.
Sikandar Begum was an ambitious woman ruler with a commanding personality and trained in martial arts. She mastered swordsmanship, horse riding, spear throwing, and games like polo. Sikandar Begum led the army and was also very fond of hunting.
Power Struggles
The first woman ruler of Bhopal, Nawab Qudsia Begum, successfully ruled the Bhopal State from 1819 to 1837. After her, the throne of Bhopal was to be transferred to her daughter Sikandar Begum’s husband, Jahangir Mohammad Khan. However, Qudsia Begum had doubts about her son-in-law’s competence and concerns regarding the welfare of Bhopal, which led to some differences between Qudsia Begum and Jahangir Mohammad Khan.
Resolving all disputes, Qudsia Begum finally transferred power to her son-in-law in 1837.Nawab Jahangir Khan ruled Bhopal from 1837 to 1844.
In 1844, he passed away at the young age of 28 due to a serious liver disease. Before his death, Nawab Jahangir Mohammad Khan declared his only daughter,
Shahjahan Begum, as his successor. After her husband’s death, Sikandar Begum began ruling Bhopal State in 1844 as the regent for her daughter.
From 1844 to 1860, she ruled as a regent, and her excellent governance during this period compelled the British rulers to grant her recognition as an independent ruler.Finally, from 1860 until her death, she remained in power as the ruler of Bhopal.
Contributions to Bhopal’s Development
Sikandar Begum, who began her rule as a regent, was an extremely ambitious ruler like her mother. She undertook every possible effort for the development of Bhopal.
In 1854, Sikandar Begum established a Medical Department in Bhopal and appointed trained Unani physicians in it.
She also completed a comprehensive survey of Bhopal.
Recognizing the importance of girls’ education, she established special schools for girls and ensured the establishment of Urdu and Hindi medium schools in every district of the state.
To improve the tax system and establish a better financial framework, she set up a customs office and a secretariat. To strengthen her hold over the state, she established an intelligence department. Additionally, she set up a postal service to improve communication, which facilitated better connectivity between Bhopal and other Indian states.
In the field of justice, Sikandar Begum took commendable initiatives. She established an appellate court to ensure better justice for the people.
In 1847, Sikandar Begum established a Majlis-e-Shura (Parliament). Comprising nobles and intellectuals, this parliament aimed to pass laws, make recommendations, and suggest reforms.
In 1862, Sikandar Begum declared Urdu as the official language of the state, replacing Persian.
Sikandar Begum personally visited villages to survey the work and changes she had implemented.
Architecture
Sikandar Begum commissioned the construction of the Moti Masjid (mosque) made of red sandstone, as well as Moti Mahal and Shaukat Mahal.
Shaukat Mahal was a blend of European and Indo-Islamic architecture, featuring Gothic elements.
Haj Pilgrimage
Sikandar Begum resolved to undertake the Haj pilgrimage, which was considered extremely challenging at that time due to limited facilities and difficult travel conditions. She was the first woman ruler to undertake this journey.
In 1863, accompanied by her mother, Qudsia Begum, and a group of about one thousand people, she embarked on this journey.
When she began her pilgrimage, two close British women friends requested her to document her experiences, as no one had yet described the Haj pilgrimage from a woman’s perspective.
Upon completing her Haj pilgrimage in 1863 and returning to Bhopal, Sikandar Begum fulfilled her British friends’ request by documenting her experiences in a book titled Tarikh-e-Safar-e-Makka.
She dedicated this book to her British friends. This book was the first of its kind, as no Indian ruler before her had undertaken the Haj pilgrimage or documented its details.
Sikandar Begum died on 30 October 1868 due to kidney failure. She was buried in Farhat Afza Bagh.
Sikandar Begum was a visionary and courageous woman who prioritised the comprehensive development of Bhopal and made no compromises. It was due to her capability and foresight that the British rulers were compelled to grant Bhopal the status of an independent princely state. In a male-dominated environment, the women rulers of Bhopal State stand out like a lush forest in a desert, carving a distinct and remarkable identity on the global stage.
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Afroz Khan is a teacher by profession, focusing on writings about women and Islam. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/sikandar-begum-architect-golden-era/d/137097
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