The Washington times., 1922-04-30
was one privilege which the
Prince of Wales desired more than

Prince of Wales desired more than
any other during his recent tour Of
India, but which he could not obtain.
That was to see the face behind the veil
of the mysterious Begun of Bhopal, the
veiled woman ruler of a great Indian prin.
cipality.
They say that the young Prince was
sOrely tempted to syly pull aside the veil
of the woman ruler but he was warned by
his English advisers of the terrible conse-
Quences that might ensue from such an
act, both TO himself and the British power
in India. That simple and natural act NJ
youthful curiosity might have entailed the
deepest curses that fanatical priesthood
could utter, a worldwide campaign of te:-
rorism, and perhaps a terrible war.
Every privilege that could be offered to
the popular young heir to the British throne
had been his Every honor that could be
paid him had been freely given. Every
treasure that the vast land of India could
produce had been laid al his feet. Every
enjoyment that the country could offer
was his.
Inc "IlIlb tltphdhbS hdh 'VVh p'oNSN ~
his disposal. He had been invited to enter
the holy of holies of the great temple OF
Benares He had been entertained by the
most beautiful, sacred dancing girls OF
India whose performances are ordinarily
reserved for the innermost circle OF the
priesthood He had been requested by the
great princes Of India to fill his pockets
with priceless diamonds and rubies.
But he could not see behind the veil Of
the Begun of Bhopal There he came up
against an impenetrable wall OF supersti'
tion and ranaticism.
The Begun OF Bhopal is perhaps tho
most extraordinary figure in the modern
world She is the only woman ruler IN
Iud.a .' in all Asia. In land where
crd.a..iy women have scarcely the right
to look at a man, she exercises absolute
movers of life and death over all human
beings.
ON every side her country is surrounded
Inv States where men are rulers and where
only men can hold office in the rulers
service.
An extraordinary combination OF events
was necessary to put woman on the
Begum's throne, and extraordinary meth
ods are necessary to keep her there. She
nust pass her entire life veiled. No man
must see her face from birth to death
She exercises all the functions Of govern
,nent Ihus veiled She sits in judgmen',
nronounces sentences of execution. com
mands armies and makes speeches With
out raising her veil.
II is even whispered that her husband
never sees her face. but In Bhopal II Is
punishable with death to discuss this suo
jeCt.
English travellers report that the sound
of her voice coming from behind the veil
produces much deeper impression on het
hearers than a voice from an uncovered
face would do. This is thought to explain
some Of the strange power exercised by
her and her ancestresses
What would happen II any man saw he'
face This again is part OF the mystery
that cnvelops her. Some Hindus think
that death and ruin would fall on the NOR
tails who beheld her uncovered features
Others think that her great and wonderful
mower would come to an end, but the in
habitants of her dominions believe that ir
either case ruin would fall upon them.
During his tour OF India the Prince o
Wales paid very ceremonous visit o.
state to the Begun Of Bhopal in her capita
of Bhopal The Begun, clad In costume
of white silk and silver, with veil to match
met him at the station and escorted hiT
to the royal palace, which she had placed
at his disposal. An escort of the Begun
bodyguard. mounted soldiers wearing chair
ar.nor Of medisevsl design and carrying