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Bhopal: Sharmila
Tagore's transition from an acclaimed Bollywood actress to the
matriarch of the former royal family of Bhopal was evident during
her recent visit to this City of Lakes, where she settled family
feuds and intervening in issues relating of the Haj.
Sharmila, known as Begum Ayesha Sultan to people here, was in
Bhopal for the first time since the death of her husband, former
India cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, in September.
She stayed here for four days Dec 27-30 and met Pataudi's sister
Saleha Sultan, 71, and Arjuman Ali Khan, husband of another sister
Sabiha Sultan, 69, to settle their decades-old property dispute.
After the death of Pataudi's mother Begum Sajida Sultan, the last
nawab begum of Bhopal, the cricketer was recognised as the head of
the royal house. However, Saleha and Sabiha have been fighting for
what they claim is their share of the ancestral heritage.
Sharmila told reporters that her children, Saif Ali Khan, Saba Ali
Khan and Soha Ali Khan and their cousins were keen on an early and
amicable settlement.
Saleha's son Faiz Bin Jung said: "It (the dispute) is a family
matter and we will sort it out within the family."
Sharmila also came to know that a Saudi Arabian had been appointed
caretaker of two prime properties in Makah and Madina belonging to
the nawabs of Bhopal. She ordered an inquiry and formed a four
member committee to go to Saudi Arabia and find out the details.
In 1819, when a begum of the Bhopal royal family went for the Haj
pilgrimage, she had decided to purchase the houses in Makkah and
Madina. The Saudis then granted nationality to a family from
Bhopal and deputed them to look after the properties.
Till date, most Hajis from Bhopal stay free of cost in these two
buildings that can house 300 people.
"In every issue, Ayesha Sultan (Sharmila) has taken positive and
concrete steps. The most important was the committee formed to
inquire into rubat going into the hands of Saudi nationals. We
hope that all these will bring betterment not only to descendents
of Bhopal's Nawab family but to locals also," historian and author
Sayeed Akhtar Hussain told IANS.
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