Political controversy deepens over renaming places tied to Muslim rulers in Madhya Pradesh, as Supreme Court halts government’s plans to target Nawabi heritage
BHOPAL – The ongoing campaign by the Madhya Pradesh government to rename and remove Muslim heritage from the state’s history has sparked fresh outrage among Indian Muslims, especially in Bhopal, once the proud seat of Nawabs. But in a significant development, the Supreme Court has stepped in, providing major relief to actor Saif Ali Khan’s family and delivering a blow to the state’s aggressive renaming drive.
The Supreme Court on Friday heard a petition filed against the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s direction to send back the property dispute related to the ₹150 billion personal property of Bhopal’s last ruler Nawab Hamidullah Khan to the lower court for fresh hearing.
In July, the high court had rejected the lower court’s order to accept actor Saif Ali Khan, his sisters Soha and Saba and mother Sharmila Tagore as heirs to the property. However, a bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Atul Chandurkar issued a notice and stayed the high court’s order.
Within just six months of taking office in December 2023, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav launched his tourism promotion programme, ‘Moh Liya Re,’ featuring destinations such as Ujjain, Khajuraho, and Orchha. However, critics quickly noted the exclusion of historical Muslim sites like Mandu and Bhopal – both deeply linked to Muslim rulers.
The move was followed by the renaming of 54 villages with Muslim names, prompting allegations of a targeted effort to erase the contributions of Muslim rulers. Local historian Mohammad Aslam called the move “a clear attempt to rewrite history to suit political narratives.”
Tensions escalated when State Minister Narendra Shivaji Patel labelled the last Nawab of Bhopal, Hamidullah Khan, a “traitor,” claiming he opposed the state’s merger with India and refused to hoist the tricolour in 1947. Patel demanded that all buildings and places named after Nawabs be renamed.
Bhopal’s well-known Hamidia Hospital and Hamidia School, both named after Nawab Hamidullah Khan, are now on the political radar. BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma claimed that all of Bhopal’s property belonged to Raja Bhoj. In response, Congress MLA Arif Masood defended the Nawabs, calling Patel’s remarks “an insult to our history and heritage.”
Amid this heated political climate, the Supreme Court stayed the 30 June high court order that had reopened a decades-old property dispute involving the Pataudi-Bhopal estate, valued at ₹150 billion. The estate includes palaces and extensive lands.
The apex court’s decision prevents a fresh hearing in the lower court. Legal expert Advocate Imran Qureshi told reporters, “The Supreme Court’s stay is not just a legal victory; it is a safeguard against the political misuse of heritage disputes.”
For centuries, Bhopal thrived under the Nawabs, starting with Dost Mohammad Khan in the 18th century. Muslim women rulers like Begum Shah Jahan and Sultan Jahan introduced modern education, railway networks, and healthcare. The Nawabs built architectural gems such as the Taj-ul-Masajid, Moti Mahal, and Shaukat Mahal – structures that remain symbols of Bhopal’s identity.
The city’s famed Nawabi cuisine, Urdu literature, and musical traditions are living testaments to this heritage. “Erasing Muslim names will not erase the history. It will only expose the prejudice behind these actions,” said local resident and teacher Farzana Khan.
Saif Ali Khan’s lineage traces back to Afghan Pathan ancestry. His great-grandfather, Faiz Talab Khan, became the first Nawab of Pataudi in 1804. Through the marriage of Saif’s grandparents – Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and Sajida Sultan, Nawab Begum of Bhopal – the princely states of Pataudi and Bhopal became linked.
Iftikhar Ali Khan was a celebrated cricketer who captained India in 1946, while Sajida Sultan was known for her patronage of arts and culture. Saif was ceremonially recognised as the 10th Nawab of Pataudi in 2011, though princely titles were abolished in 1971.
The recent legal victory has lifted spirits among Bhopal’s Muslim community, but concerns remain. Many fear the BJP government will continue to push its renaming agenda. “They are not just changing names; they are trying to remove our identity from the map,” said youth activist Aamir Hussain.
