Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 7.djvu/224

HER HIGHNESS NAWAB SEKUNDER BEGUM G.C.S.L the state Dhar; but Dhar has, by rebellion, forfeited all claim to it, and it is now given in perpetuity to Bhopal for a memorial of loyalty under your wise guidance in a time of trial."

The gift of territory was accompanied by the insignia of the grand companionship of the Star of India. The Begum had indeed been a remarkable woman all her life; she rode well, and used the spear and matchlock; she went abroad freely among her subjects, and denied herself to none. She had paid off all the debts of the state, and with twenty-two lacs of revenue and an expenditure of eleven, she had made Bhopal one of the most flourishing states of India. The Begum Sekunder died in November, 1838, and was succeeded by her daughter, Shah Jehan, in the regular female succession of the state, who now rules Bhopal on the same principles as her honoured mother.