The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-12-26
RULED BY WOMEN.
India Seems to be 0utstripping
Europe-The Empress Of
BhOpal,

NAO
the most important Mahometan states
in India, and which has been fol
three generations under female rule
was founded by Dost MahomeJ Khan
| Tan Afghan) during the reign OF the
Emperor Furruck Shair, says the
GentteaOoman. But the State rose to
prominence during the reign OF the
mother of the present ruler, ID. H.,
the late Nawab Sekander Begun, u.
G. S. l. 1t would be impossible, in a
brief sketch, to dwell on her extraor-
binary abilities, transcepdent virtue
and the numerous administrative re-
forms she effected during her glorious
| career. Within the short space of six
years all the debts against the State
were liquidated, the system OF farm
ing the revenues (rent paid in kind
and monopolies of trades and handi-
crafts were abolished. The police
were recognized and various other i'm
provements introduced.
Colonel Malleson writes that Fl. II.
displayed IAN energy, an assiduity
and an administrative ability such as
would have done credit to a trained
statesmen and further. when allud-
ing to the troublous times of the
Indian mutiny of 1857, he states
'She was equal to the occasion, true
to the traditions of her country, to
her plighted word, to the sentiments
of truth and honor. She caused the
British to be conducted in safety to
Hoshangabad, then with infinite tact
allayed the excitement in her capital,
put down the mutinous contingent
with a strong hand and finally re-
stored order in every part of her do
m1nions. When the tide turned and
British supremacy began to vindicate
itself, she was as prompt in another
way with her aid. Supplies, soldiers,
all that she had that could be useful
she gave with a liberal hand"
On October 80. 1868, this truly noble
woman died and vas succeeded by her
daughter, the Nawab Shah Jehan, the
present ruler, then a widow thirty-one
wears of age. When she was ten years
of age ION the death of her father she
was proclaimed ruler OF Bophal. but
owing to her minority her mother, the
late Nawab Sekandar Begun, became
regent.
So great was the love and venera-
ton of the daughter for her illustrious
mother that on May l she abdicated
the throne in her favor and assumed
the position of heir apparent, which
position she retained until her moth
er's death, and assembled the throne
for the second time on March 2, 1865.
Her highness inherits all her mothers
firmness and administrative powers,
combined with great g~entleness OF
manner and. strong intellectual pow
ers. She is a tiny little lady, with
small features and large and wonder
fully brilliant eyes.
AFrench gentleman thus graphical
ly describes the Newab Shah lehman
as he saw her during her mothers life
time:-''I had an appointment with
H. H., the Begun, before leaving
Bhopal, so called at the palace, which
is full of European treasures and lux
uries. In the room into which l was
ushered sat a little girl whom l took
to be the daughter Of n of the court
notables, and was on the point of adj
dressing her, when she arose, and
with a very stately inclination of the
head, said:-'I am the Shah Jehan,'
at the same time extending a tiny
hand covered with jewels. When l
had somewhat recovered from my
confusion I noticed that, although of
diminutive stature, she had a hand
some, intellectual face and very large,
piercing ewes. She wore close-fitting
pantaloons Of gold brocade, embroid-
cred jacket and a muslin toque."
From $ a. III. until moor aud from 8
to 6 she attends personally to the bust
ness OF her state, sits in court and die
tates orders on the papers submitted
to her decision. All political CON-
m~unications she opens and reads her.
self. She reads Arabic and Persian
fuently, which she can write fairly,
and is very fond of the society of Eng
lish ladies.
For thirteen years, from 1868 to 1881,
the work of reform progressed
smoothly and steadily, and met with
the approval and praise of the Indian
Government and the Secretary OF State
for India. All her efforts for the well
fare of her subjects were ably second
ed by her consort, the Nawab, who
was a man of sterling merit, sound
Judgment and learning. the author of
several Arabic works, truly loyal to
the British Government and highly
esteemed by Lords Ripon, Lytton,
Northbrook, etc. But, as the serpent
crept into Eden, so did discord. jeal-
ousy and hostility mar the peaceful
ness OF THIS Well-SONeTleQ aIdtc. IlSl
| Highness was wounded by the defiaut
and passionate perverseness of her
| only child, a daughter (by her first
husband), to whom she was devoutedly
attached. the Sultan Jehan Begun,
but whom she fondly called Light OF
My Eyes"
Her Highness was compelled to give
consent 10 her daughter marrying
Ahmed Ali, an ambitious man, who
could boast of neither high rank mol
wealth. He had been brought up or
the charity of the State, and repaid
his obligations by associating will
rebels and traitors and in the mosi
defiant hostility against the ruler,
poisoning the mind of the daughter
against the mother until he succeeded
in entirely separating them; then, en-
couraged by a few of Her Highness
enemies, further increased their ami
mostly and induced the Sultan Jehar
to make insolent demands for titlel
and estates to which she had ne
claim.
Added to these troubles, reports
were circulated concerning the Ma
wab, her consort, and he was deprived
of his titles and forbidden to take an,
part in State affairs, publicly or pri
vateiy. So in her dire trouble the
Begun was deprived of every sup
port aud comfort-she who was once
tho haunv rnler of a State that StOOC