BHOPAL, Feb. 3 -- Born in exile in the summer of 1838, the story of Nawab Shahjahan Begum-the poet princess of Bhopal-is one wrought with deceit and heartbreak.
Shahjahan was not born in Bhopal. She was born at Islamnagar, a few miles away from the fortress town, after her estranged parents parted ways.
Her mother, Sikander Begum, and her father, Nawab Jahangir Mohammad Khan, had often clashed over control of the state until one day, Mir Mange Khan, a confidante of Jahangir, taking exception to Sikander's public spat with the Nawab, drew his sword and gashed Sikander on the arm. She was pregnant at the time.
Sikander was hurt at the impudence. She packed up and left Bhopal-a city founded and ruled by her forebears-with a few of her loyal...