When India gained independence from the British, Nawab Hamidullah Khan was the ruler of Bhopal. The following events of this period are noteworthy :-

• In May 1948, an interim government was formed by the Nawab
• The government was called as Praja Mandal
• The Praja Mandal was headed by Pt. Chatur Narain Malviya as Prime Minister
• It was sworn in at Qaser-e-Sultani Mahal by the Chief Justice of the princely state of Bhopal, Justice Salamuddin Khan
• Gradually, the merger movement (for Merger of Bhopal with the Indian Union) gained ground.
• The merger movement was actively supported by the Praja Mandal
• For this reason, the Praja Mandal was dissolved on 29th January 1949 by the Nawab of Bhopal.

Next . . . Commissioner Period