The Second Begum of Bhopal- My Ancestor

NAWAB SIKANDAR BEGUM (1817-1868)

This is a little blog of appreciation towards Nawab Sikandar Begum.

Shedding light on her work towards destroying patriarchy, women's education, Islam in its real meaning, women's education and her fight against the purdah system.

Nawab Sikandar Begum's reign(1817-1868) is called 'The Golden Age in Bhopal History'.

She was a true leader and feminist.

Queen Victoria awarded Nawab Sikandar Begum the ‘Knight Grand Commander’ with the exalted order of the ‘Star of India’ for her support to the British Empire during World War 1.

She was the only female ‘Knight Grand Commander’(not only in India but the British Empire) besides Queen Victoria, herself.

Nawab Sikandar Begum was a keen educationalist and she set up the Victoria School, named after Queen Victoria. It taught women basic academic skills and technical trainings in various trades. It was set up for poor Hindus and Muslim girls and was in the center of Bhopal. She also established 2 girls schools and 76 primary schools.

Nawab Sikandar Begum refused to corporate with old patriarchal ideal and looked down upon the suppression of women and their independence restricted due to age-old religious beliefs'. She made sure the women of Bhopal knew the difference between what Islam preached and the traditional, patriarchal system.

She had the British re-open The Jama Masjid (1962) which had been closed since the First War of Independence 1857-. She proceeded to clean the mosque herself and later prayed there.

Nawab Sikandar Begum performed Hajj (1863) even though the journey was dangerous and time-consuming, which could be destructive for the kingdom. This not only showed her strong faith in Islam but also displayed her power within society and to all the other male Mughal rulers who would never dare to leave their kingdoms for long periods of time.