Shah Jahan Begum
Shah Jahan Begum, 1838-1901, Begton of Bhopal. Daughter of Sikandar Begurn and Nawab Jahangir Muhammad Khan, she was recognized as the ruler in preference to her illegitimate brother, Dastigir, in 1844. Her mother Sikandar Begum became the regent in 1847. In 1855, she married Bakshi Baqi Muhammad Khan who was given the title of Nawab-Consort. As the mother did not approve of her daugker becoming the ruler duting her lifetime, Shah Jahan Begum voluntarily resigned her claims. Her mother died in 1868, and Shah Jahan Begum was, again, formally installed as the ruler. Her husband died in 1867 and in 1871 she married Maulvi Sidiq Khan which led to much dissensions between the Begum and her daughter, Sultan Jahan. The viceroy intervened in 1884 ; her second husband (d. 1890) was deprived of all titles and rank, and the Begum continued to administer the State herself. She was a woman of great administrative ability ; she came out of purdah after the death of her first husband, but retired again on her second marriage. She was succeeded by her daughter Sultan Jahan.
