Chottey Khan Of Bhopal

Mamola Bai adopted, converted and groomed four Hindu boys shortly after she became consort of Yar Mohammad Khan. The first was a Gond and the other two were Aheers. The fourth, a Brahmin, was given the name of Chottey Khan. By 1780, he was an adult and beholden to Manji Sahiba, as Mamola Bai was also known in Bhopal. After the violent deaths of three ministers in quick succession, Manji Sahiba appointed Chottey Khan as her Chief Minister on 17 November 1780. Chottey Khan proved to be an able administrator, an astute, crafty and unscrupulous political tactician. He reorganized the army and recruited an effective police force, which included an intelligence department that kept the Chief Minister fully informed of threats and intrigues. He built roads, extended Bhopal’s suburbs and built a dam on Banganga River, which resulted in what is today known as the Chota Talab, the smaller lake. The lower lake is also known as 'Chhota Talaab'. Chhota in Hindi means Small. Many people confuse that the name Chhota Talaab is because the lake smaller in comparison to the upper lake. But it is not so. The name 'Chhota' in actuality is the name of Chhote Khan, who built this lake in late 16th century.

Chotey Khan’s ruthless but effective administration was seen as a major challenge by Bahu Begum who taunted Shareef Mohammad Khan, grandson by stating “If I was a man, I would never allow this Brahmin slave to rule over the family of Dost Mohammad Khan.” She then promised him funds to raise an army against the Mamola-Hayat-Chottey axis. Sharif set to work in earnest, galvanizing his cousins and urging the Barru-Kat pathans to demonstrate their loyalty to Dost and rallying Pathan recalcitrant to overthrow the Hindu Raj being supported by Mamola Bai and her protégé, Chottey. Having raised an army of 5000, Shareef asked Bahu Begum for the promised financing. She failed to deliver. Shareef withdrew in disgust and with this non-event; Bahu Begum’s alternative government began to falter until it no longer posed a threat to Hayat.

Shareef had seven brothers and a brave, handsome adolescent son, Wazir Mohammad Khan. Shareef was duly banished from Bhopal. He withdrew to adjacent Rajput territory where he was welcomed and given supported. Shareef came back after raising an army and captured the Ginnor fort. The showdown was eminent in 1787.