Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-03-12
WHERE A WOMAN RULES
PROGRESSING FASTER THAN
EUROPEAN NATIONS.
The Triumphs and Trials Of the En-
press of Bhopal In India-Abdi-
eating the Throne TO Let
Her Mother Rule.

Exactly 200 years have elapsed since
the principally of Bhopal--one Of the
most important Mohammedan states in
India which has been for three gen
erations under female rule-was found
ed by Dost Mohammed Khan, an At
CHAN. But the state rose to promi-
hence during the reign OF the mother
OF the present ruler, ii. H.. the late
Nawab Sekander Begun. 1t would
be impossible in brief sketch to dwell
on her extraordinary abilities. says the
London Gentlewoman. transcendent
virtue. and the numerous administra-
tive reforms she effected during her
glorious career. Within the short
space of six years all the debts against
the state were liquidated, the system
of farming the revenues (rent paid in
kind) and monopolies of trades and
handicrafts were abolished. The po-
lice was recognized and various other
important improvements introduced.
Colonel Madison writes that II. IL
displayed ian energy an asslduity
and an administrative ability such as
would have done credit to a trained
| statesman" and further, when allud-
ing TO the troublous times of the In
! dian mutiny OF 1856, hestates: 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 officers TO be conducted in
safety TO Hoshangabad then with in
! finite tact allayed the excitement in
her capital, put down the mutinous
contingent with a strong hand and
finally restored order in every part of
her dominions When the tide turned
and British supremacy began TO vindi-
cate itself she was as prompt 10 an
other way with her aid; supplies SOL
diers all that she had that could be
useful she gave with a liberal hand. "
On October 80. 1868, this truly noble
woman died and was succeeded by
her daughter the Nawab shah Jehan
the present ruler then a widow 81
years Of age. When she was 10 years
OF age ION the death OF her iather}
she was proclaimed ruler Of Bhopal
but owing to her minority her mother.
the late Nawab Sekander Begun be-
came regent
So great was the love and venera-
ton OF the daughter for her illustlious
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.
cr's death. and assembled the throne
for the second time on March .. 1e6S.
Her highness inherits all her mothers
tirmness and administrative powers.
: combined with great gentleness OF
manner and strong intellectual powers,
} She is a tiny little lady. with small
features and large and wonderfully
: brilliant eyes
! A French gentleman thus graph
Z cally desribes the Nawab Shah Jehar
as he saw her during her mothers life
time: Il had an appointment with
II. H. the Begun before leaving
0 BhopaL so called at the palace. which
l is full Of European treasures and lux
: uries. In the room into which wa
q ushered sat little girl whom tool
to be the daughter OF one OF the cour
mobiles, and was on the point of ad
dressing her when she arose, and
with very stately inclination of In
hoad said. j am the Shah Jehan. a
the same time extending tiny han,
2 covered with jewels. When ! hal
somewhat recovered from my confu
sion l noticed that although q
i diminutive stature she had hand
y some, intellectual face and very large
e piercing eyes. She wore closefttin
pantaloons of gold brocade. embroid
d cred jacket and q muslin toque,
II From 2 a. m. until noon and from
= to she attends personally 10 the bus
J, ness OF her state sits in court an
: dictates orders on the papers sui
mitted for her decision. All politics
:. communications she opens and read
# herself. She reads Arabic and Persia
is fluently and has lately made som
ii progress in English which she ca
4 write fairly, and is very fond OF Ii
IS society of English ladies.