Archival Research on Sultan Jahan Begum

Over the summer I conducted archival research on Sultan Jahan Begum, the ruler of the princely state of Bhopal from 1901­1926. In the British Library, I came across a number of confidential letters and papers discussing the Begum’s involvement in anti­colonialism in India, specifically within the context of World War I and the Khilafat movement. This research helped me complete an article­length research paper that sheds light on the complex nature of Muslim politics and gender in princely India during the early twentieth century. The paper addresses a subversive element in Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum’s performed loyalty to the colonial state, thus complicating the idea of anti­colonialism as a movement supported mainly in colonized India. In fact, semi­autonomous princely states contributed to visions of a non colonized India and even donated to anti­colonial causes.

Additionally, the colonial state afforded much power to Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum because she was the only female, Muslim princely ruler of her day and had an influential role in Muslim politics in Uttar Pradesh. By inserting Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum’s political opinions and actions into current research on Muslim anti­colonial politics, I hope to contradict the widespread notion of Muslim women as static historical figures and as passive elements in the various visions of postcolonial India that filled the Indian discursive scene in the 1920’s and 30’s. My hope is that this research will help me conceptualize a dissertation around this fascinating individual, whose life and actions challenge contemporary notions of good governance, colonialism, gender and religion in early twentieth century India.