A GREAT WOMAN RULER

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1925, Page 4

A GREAT WOMAN RULER

Her Highness Nawab Sultan Jehan, Begum of Bhopal, in Central India, who arrived in London by special train on her second visit to England, is one of the outstanding women of our time. Since the beginning of the century she has ruled Bhopal -with vigour and efficiency, and has worthily maintained the traditions established by her famous grandmother. Silranda Begum. For nearly eighty years Bhopal hasbeen the only State in India to be under the rule of a woman, and today it has reason to rejoice at tlic distinction. The Begttin Sahiba is a devout Moslem, and many years ago made the pilgrimage to Mecca and .Medina; but she is both original and progressive in thought and outlook.

Her first visit to this country was in the year of the Coronntin of King George, and we may he sure that no feature of the great social and political changes which separate us front 1911 will attract the interest of her Highness more titan the advance of women in so many directions. She is an eager supporter of female education in her •State, and though she has not finally renounced purdah she does not wear the veil with any strictness. Only a few weeks ago she allowed herself to be photgrnphed with face unveiled for newspaper reproduction, when engaged in tho favourite pastime of watercolour painting. Tho Begum has had a full measure of domestic vicissitude. She was kept under a system of jealous suppression hv her mother; she lost her husband six months after her accession in 1901 ; and last year her heir, Nawab Nasrullalt Khan, and her second son Nawab Obnidulla Khan, died within a few weeks of each other, both leaving two hoys. Her only surviving child i.s Sailibzaila Mahomed Tlamidulln Khan, who lias two daughters, and by whom sho is accompanied on her present visit. It is understood that the Begum has made representations to the Government of India asking for the Saliilisunlu to be recognised as her heir instead of the elder boy of the late Nawab Xasrullah Khan. It is believed that she has based the application partly on Islamic law and partly on local family custom, as against- the ordinary rules of primo-genittire. 'The issue is a complicated one and is under consideration hv the Vicerov.