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The Noor-Us-Sabah Palace was built in the 1920s by Jahan BegumAbida Sultan, who was the eldest daughter of H.H. Hamidullah Khan. It is known for its elegance and rich heritage and is a visitor’s delight. It has now been converted into a hotel and is one of the most popular destinations to visit for people travelling to Bhopal.
Bhopal is regarded as the “city of lakes”. Its name is derived from Bhoj Tal (“Bhoj’s Lake”), a lake built in the 11th century by Bhoj, a Hindu ruler. Bhopal used to be home to a plethora of architectural marvels, including wealthy palaces, formidable forts, and lovely kothis. The Noor-Us-Sabah Palace is one of them. It has been restored and rebuilt and now stands as one of the most beautiful heritages in the nation.
The hotel has been carefully renovated to maintain its heritage and beauty while providing modern amenities such as a conference space, multicuisine restaurants, and a well-stocked bar for visitors. The palace has over 100 rooms to accommodate visitors, delivering the most contemporary conveniences while maintaining the original ambience.
Bhopal and the Noor-Us-Sabah Palace
By order of the M.P. state government, the Bhopal district was created from the former Sehore District of Bhopal division. It is said that the name Bhopal originated from Bhoj’s dam or Bhojpal.
The Begum governed the Indian Princely State of Bhopal, which is now part of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, from 1901 to 1926. The Begum, who has been described as fiercely pro-British, proudly displays the medals for her contributions to the British Empire. Jahan Begum also founded the All India Conference on Education, where she was the first president. Moreover, she was also the first chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University.
Jahan Begum had her own palace known as Sadar Manzil, but she preferred the solitude and tranquillity of the city’s outskirts. She built several monuments throughout her reign, and the ‘Noor-Us-Sabah’ palace was one of them.
About Noor us Sabah Begum
Noor-Us-Sabah Begum was born on April 2, 1908, into a Yusufzai Pathan family in Rampur State, in the then United Provinces.
She married Mohammad Zaheeruddin Khan, a descendant of the illustrious Sherpur dynasty, on December 24, 1925. As a result, she became a member of UP’s governing aristocracy – undivided India’s ruling elite in UP. He joined the Congress and eventually the Khilafat Movement in 1911, drawing the Sherpur family into the Freedom Movement.
In 1922, Noor-Us-Sabah Begum underwent a significant transformation when, at her husband’s suggestion, she joined the Khilafat Movement and met Abadi Bano Begum, also known as Bi Amman, who was a well-known representative in the Indian Independence Movement.
After joining the movement, her life drastically changed. Everything was above and beyond her personality, from how she dressed to how she represented the movement. It has been said that her clothing, shoes, perfume, jackets, and other accessories were imported from London as she led the life of a Sherpur Princess. But, after joining the Khilafat Movement, she transformed her whole lifestyle and began wearing Khaddar attire and started living a minimalist lifestyle.
She travelled to Lahore in February 1947 to join the anti-khizar Hayat Movement but was soon imprisoned. On July 14, 1978, she died at Karachi’s Sherpur House. On her death, Raees Amrohvi composed a “Qata,” which was published the next day in Jang (Urdu news channel), Karachi.
To conclude
The Noor-us-Sabah palace is an elegant heritage hotel spread across 18 acres facing Bhopal Lake. It is 3 km from the Taj-ul-Masajid mosque and 8 kilometres from Van Vihar National Park. The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast buffet for all guests staying at the hotel and houses restaurants providing pan-Asian, Peshawari, and Mughlai cuisine. An outdoor pool, a spa, and a fitness centre are among the other attractions at the property.
