Siobhan Lambert-Hurley - Muslim Women, Reform and Princely Patronage

This talk will introduce you to a remarkable Muslim woman ruler: Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum (1958-1930, ruled 1901-1926). She was the last in a dynasty of four women who ruled the princely state of Bhopal in central India in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Distinguishing her reign was her determination to be an effective ruler and reformer while still maintain strict seclusion or purdah. Not only did she introduce administrative changes intended to form an efficient and merit-based bureaucracy in her state, but she also dedicated herself to social reform.

In Bhopal, she founded schools, hospitals, clubs, libraries, magazines and museums. She also patronised Muslim education, health programmes and women’s organisations throughout India as a whole.

A keen traveller and a prolific author, she has over a dozen Urdu books to her name (some of which are also available in English translation). Join this event to find out more about her life, reign, journeys and writings.

Hosted by: Shamim Choudhury, award- winning Media correspondent and writer

Host or Publisher MACFEST - Muslim Arts and Culture Festival.