Give a brief description of the Bhopal Riyasat.

Brief Account of Bhopal Princely State (भोपाल रियासत):

Bhopal State (1723–1949) was a premier princely state in Central India renowned for its strategic foundation and extraordinary era of female empowerment:

• 1. Foundation: Founded in 1723–1724 by Dost Mohammad Khan (an Afghan Pashtun commander) who established the capital at Islamnagar and later built Fatehgarh Fort at Bhopal.
• 2. Anglo-Bhopal Treaty (1818): Nawab Nazar Mohammad Khan signed the Treaty of Raisen with the British, making Bhopal a protected princely state.
• 3. Era of the Begums of Bhopal (Golden Era: 1819–1926): Ruled consecutively for over a century by four enlightened visionary Muslim queens:
  1. Qudsia Begum (Gohar Begum): First female ruler; built Jama Masjid and Gohar Mahal.
  2. Sikandar Begum: Modernized army and judicial administration; built Moti Masjid.
  3. Shah Jahan Begum: Great builder; commissioned Taj-ul-Masajid and subsidized the preservation of Sanchi Stupas.
  4. Sultan Jahan Begum (Kaikhusrau Jahan): Championed female education, founded AMU Women's College, built Sadar Manzil.
• 4. Merger into Indian Union: Nawab Hamidullah Khan initially resisted, but public agitation led to merger on 1 June 1949.