Bhopal – City of Begums

Background: The city of Bhopal as we know it today was established in the 1700’s by Dost Mohamed Khan, an Afghan Sardar in the Mughal army. Prior to this, the area was ruled by the Paramaras, the most famous of whom was Raja Bhoja. However, by the time Dost Mohamed arrived in the area, the dynasty had ended and the Paramara fort was in ruins.

Dost’s arrival saw the revival of Bhopal’s fortunes – from a small hamlet to a vibrant city-state with flourishing culture, art and architecture. The dynasty of Dost Mohammed is unique in Indian history because Bhopal was ruled by four successive Muslim female rulers for over a century. Each of Bhopal’s queens (Begums) was unique. The formidable Qudsia Begum first seized power in 1819, and raised her powerful daughter Sikandar Begum to establish a strong state in the face of covetous warring neighbours. Sikandar Begum was followed by the delicate Shahjehan Begum, who oversaw a period of refined cultural development, and then by Sultan Jahan, who publicly abandoned the purdah and worked for women’s emancipation. Under these Begums, Bhopal flourished to became the second largest Muslim princely state after Hyderabad. The Bhopal state lasted for 230 years, until in 1947, the 13th ruler Hamidullah Khan signed the merger agreement with the Indian Union.

About this tour: On this tour, we will explore the highlights of Bhopal city. The coverage includes:

• Taj-Ul-Masajid: The “Crown among Mosques” is the largest mosque in India and also functions as a school. We will see a slice of daily school life in the city.
• Gauhar Mahal, Shaukat Mahal and Sadar Manzil: These palaces and public buildings of Bhopal reflect the personalities and idiosyncrasies of the rulers who built them. Gauhar Mahal is nearly 200 years old and was built by the first woman ruler of Bhopal, Qudsia Begum, who was nicknamed ‘Gauhar’. The palace with its Indo-Islamic architecture has no separate designated parts for women and men (mardana and zanana) since the ruler herself was a woman. Shaukat Mahal was the residence of many generations of Bhopal royalty, and shows strong European influences. Sadar Manzil, built by Shahjehan Begum, is a Public Hall of Audience.
• Chowk Market and Jama Masjid: The colourful Chowk Market near the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) is great for photography. We will explore the lanes of this area on foot. If you are interested, you can visit the Jama Masjid as well.
• Museum Visit: Bhopal has outstanding museums. We recommend visiting either the State Archaeological Museum (stone sculptures, bronzes, paintings, artefacts, coins), or the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalay (“National Museum of Mankind” showcasing aboriginal, nomadic and tribal ways of life).
• Birla Temple: Located on a hilltop, this temple of the Vaishnava faith has beautiful views of the city.
• Lake and Raja Bhoj statue: Bhopal is known as the city of lakes. We will drive past the Bhojtal Lake and the statue of Raja Bhoj.

This is a private tour. If there is anything specific you would like to see, please let us know and we will modify the tour accordingly.

Starts: 9 am from your hotel

Duration: 6-8hrs depending on your interests. There will be a break for lunch

When: All days of the week. Please note museums are closed on Mondays.

Tour Notes: Please wear sensible footwear as there is significant walking involved.