New Delhi: Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, who has survived a knife attack at his Bandra home in Mumbai, comes from the royal Pataudi family, which provided the erstwhile nawabs of the former princely state of Pataudi from which the family takes its name. Notably, the last ruling nawab in the family was Saif’s grandfather Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and the last recognised titular nawab was Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Iftikhar’s son and Saif’s father. Among the illustrious ancestors of Saif Ali Khan, the name of Begum Sultan Jahan shines like a bright star. Somewhat forgotten, the Begum was the rulers of Bhopal and is considered one of the greatest rulers of the erstwhile princely state.
Who was Begum Sultan Jahan?
Begum Sultan Jahan was the ruling Begum of Bhopal between 1901 and 1926. Born as Sarkar Amman in July 1858, the was Nawab Begum Sultan Shah Jahan and her husband Baqi Muhammad Khan Bahadur’s only surviving child. After the death of Sikander Begum, her grandmother, she was proclaimed heiress apparent to the Bhopal musnaid in 1868. In 1901, Sultan Jahan became the Nawab Begum of Bhopal.
The reforms of Begum Sultan Jahan
Begum Sultan Jahan was a great reformer who established several educational institutions in Bhopal. She was a member of the Bharat Stree Mahamandal (The Great Circle of Indian Women) which promoted education of girls. In 1918, she made education free and compulsory in Bhopal. She was the founding Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and in 1920, she became the first woman Chancellor in India.
She also reformed taxation, the police, the judiciary and the jails. She led to the expansion of agriculture, and constructed extensive irrigation in Bhopal. In 1903, during her reign, Bhopal got its first budget and she established dozens of factories among other things. She also imposed a liquor ban and built the Yacht Club to give Bhopal a European-style makeover. Begum Sultan Jahan also left her mark in the public health sector as she pioneered widespread vaccination and inoculation programs. Also, for the development of public health, she improve hygiene, sanitation and water supply. She was a prolific author who wrote seveal books on health, education and other topics. According to reports, she also loved Rolls Royce cars, and owned three of these expensive vehicles.
How is Begum Sultan Jahan connected with Saif Ali Khan?
Begum Sultan Jahan was Saif Ali Khan’s great-grandmother. Her only surviving son and successor, Hamidullah Khan had a daughter named Sajida Sultan, who got married to Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan, Saif’s grandfather. Thus, Saif has the heritage of one of the greatest female rulers this country has ever seen.
Begum Sultan Jahan, Saif Ali Khan’s great-grandmother, was the remarkable ruling Begum of Bhopal from 1901 to 1926. A pioneering reformer, she implemented widespread educational reforms, including making education free and compulsory. She also modernized Bhopal’s infrastructure, judiciary, and public health, leaving an enduring legacy as one of India’s greatest female rulers. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
