India Heads

Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
Heads of State of India/ Bharat
(Female suffrage 1947) Since 1784 the British gradually took control of the subcontinent, it became independent 1948 and a republic 1950

See also Substates and India Ministers

1236-40 Sultan Regnant Galalat ad-Din Begum Radiya of the Delhi Sultanate (Most of Northern India)

1556-58/60 Co-Regent Dowager Empress Hamida Begum of The Mughal Empire
After the death of Emperor Humayun (1530-1556), who spend 15 years in exile from 1540-55 his 14 year old son, Akbar, succeeded to the trone, and Hamida Begum (perhaps also known as Maliam Anga) was part of the regency.

1662 De-facto Ruler Imperial Princess Rashanara Begum
of the Mughal Empire

She siezed the power during the ilness of the brother, Emperor Aurangzer.

1562-1622 Politically Influential Empress Mariam uz-Zamani Begum Sahiba of the Mughal Empire
As one of Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar's three chief queens, she was politically involved in the court until Nur Jahan became empress. Like other few women at the Mughal court, she could issue official documents (farman), which was usually the exclusive privilege of the emperor. She used her wealth and influence to build gardens, wells, and mosques around the country. In 1586, she arranged a marriage of her son, Prince Salim (later Jahangir), to her niece, Princess Manmati (Manbhawati Bai), who was the mother of Prince Khusrau Mirza. Even though she remained a Hindu after her marrage, she was buried according to Islamic custom and was not cremated. Born as Rajkumari Hira Kunwari Sahiba - or Harkha Bai, she was the eldest daughter of Kacchwaha Rajput, Raja Bharmal, Raja of Amber, and lived (1542-1622).


1748-54 De-facto Ruler Baiji Sahiba Nawab Qudisa ahiba uz-Zamani Beum Sahiba (Udham Bai) of the Mughal Empire
Influential during the reign of her son,
Emperor
Ahmad Bahadur (1725-48-54-75), she was imprisoned together with him after he was deposed, blinded and imprisoned.

1876-1901 Empress Victoria of India (28.4.1876-22.1.1901)
Her Indian title was Kaisar-i-Hind, the Empress of India.She was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith (20.6.1837 - 22.1.1901). She lived (1819-1901)

2007-12 President
Pratibha Devisingh Patil
Deputy Minister 1967-72 and Cabinet Minister 1972-83 and Congress Leader and Leader of the Opposition 1979-80 in Maharastra, Deputy Chairperson of the Union Upper House, the Rajya Sabha 1986-88, Governor of Rajasthan 2004-07. (b. 1934-).
 

 

Last update 27.07.12