Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/29



BHOPAL is an important Mahomedan State in Central India next in importance to The southern State of Hyderabad physically as well as politically. The Bhopal dynasty was founded by Dost Mahamad an Afgan who came to Delhi in 1708 A.D. in quest of employment. In 1709 A.D. he obtained a lease of the Berasia district; while in charge of it he took advantage of the revolution which followed the death of the Mogul Emperor Bahadur Shah, and established his own independent authority in Bhopal and the adjoining, country.

Dost Mahamad died in 1704 A.D. and was succeeded by his younger but legitimate son Mahamad Khan who, however, was soon ousted by the elder but illegitimate son Yar Mahamad with the help of the Nizam of Hyderabad. Yar Mahamad had three sons—Faiz Mahamad, Yaseen Mahamad, and Hayat Mahamad of whom the first succeeded to the throne after the demise of the father in 1754 A.D. After an almost uneventful reign he died childless in 1777 A.D. and was succeeded by his brother Hayat Mahamad who was as weak a ruler as his predecessor.

During the time of Hayat Mahamad, i. e. during the latter part of the 18th century, Bhopal was a scene of internecine feuds and was, in consequence of the ruler's imbecility, invaded by the Mahrattas and overrun by marauding hoards of Pendharees. Although Hayad Mahamad was the de-jure ruler of the State till 1807 A.D. the actual control was in the hands of Mamullah, the widow of Yar Mahamad, who was a lady of remarkable power and ability, and ranks with her contemporary Ahilyabai of Indore. She was assisted by her son Ghaus Mahamad. Both of them selected Murid Mahamad Khan as their minister. He was thoroughly unprincipled and had ho sense of justice or mercy in him. His administration not only disgusted the nobles and the subjects of Bhopal but brought the State to the verge of destruction and bankruptcy. He was seized by the Sindhia of Gwalior for not keeping his word with him and taken away prisoner. At this critical period in Bhopal there appeared on the scene Wazir Mahamad Khan, a relative of the ruling family, who assumed the direction of affairs and by his judicious and firm policy retrieved the fallen fortunes of the State. Moreover, he reconquered most of the districts which had been seized by the Mahrattas. His power and abilities roused the jealousy of Ghaus Khan who intrigued with the Pendharee leader Karim, the Sindhia of Gwalior, and the Bhonsle of Nagpur. Wazir Mahamad who was imbued with a genuine spirit of patriotism struggled on, patiently but silently with a singleness of purpose and heedless of all intrigues against him, till the day of his death in 1816 A.D. He was a man of remarkable character, gifted with unrivalled valour and a stern determination of purpose; besides, he possessed such pleasing and fascinating manners that he inspired respect and confidence in the hearts alike of his friends as well as of his foes.

Wazir Khan was succeeded by his second son Nazar Mahamad who married Khudisa Begum daughter of Ghaus Mahamad. In 1817 A.D. the British Government formed an alliance with Nawab Nazar Mahamad to put down the Pendharees. He met his death from an accidental discharge of a pistol-shot. He left an only infant daughter Sikandar Begum. It was arranged during his lifetime that he should be succeeded