Audio: Sikander Begum
Benazir Mahal [Palace] and Nawab Sikander Begum, Ruler of Bhopal State, 1819-37 and 1844-68
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"It is said that he came trembling. And his officer even said 'Tum nay kya kiya, tum Sarkar ko naheen paichantay? [What have you done? You didn't recognize Sarkar?].' He said how can I recognize Sarkar when she is dressed like a beggar and has a bowl in her hand?
She didn't observe purdah. Never. Anyway, this person arrived at the darbar trembling and thinking that something dreadful is going to happen to him.
She put on a very stern look and said 'What happened last night? Why did you not let me in?'
'Your Highness, you didn't know the password, I was on duty and I didn't recognize you.'
He got a jagir [a land grant] which his descendants still enjoy, and he was thoroughly rewarded and she told him that he had done his duty very well and that she was very satisfied and she hoped that he would do the same thing again. You see, these are the things that matter."
February 15, 1991
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Bhopal
Great-great Grandmother
Grandmother
Pickles
Sarojini Naidu
Jinnah
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