Nawab Sultan Jahan Begam: Ex-Ruler of Bhopal

An Account of My Life (Akhtar Iqbal) is second in the series of the memoirs of Nawab Sultan Jahan Begam, the ex-ruler of Bhopal, and carries on from where the first, Gohur-i-Iqbal ends. Originally written in Urdu, it gives the story of her reign from 1908 to 1912, providing a detailed picture of life in Bhopal and its administration. Along with a description of the reformation of the administrative departments, introduction of new agricultural ideas and modernization of education and health facilities, the memoir also gives an account of her personal life. Glimpses of her travels, her relationship with her children and her social life can be seen throughout the book. Translated by CH Payne, the memoir also contains letters written and received by the queen along with pictures and excerpts from various speeches.