A murder that shook British India and toppled a king

On January 12, 1925, a shocking event took place in Bombay, which is now known as Mumbai, during the time of British India. Abdul Kadir Bawla, a wealthy and influential textile businessman, was murdered in a brutal attack that would capture the attention of the entire nation and beyond. Bawla, who was only 25 years old, was driving in a car with his companion, Mumtaz Begum, a 22-year-old courtesan who had recently escaped from a harem in a princely state. They were in the upscale neighborhood of Malabar Hill, a place known for its affluent residents and beautiful views of the Arabian Sea. At that time, cars were a luxury that only the rich could afford, making the couple's outing a notable event. Suddenly, their car was rammed by another vehicle, and a group of men emerged, shouting threats and demanding that Mumtaz be taken out of the car. In the chaos, Bawla was shot, and he succumbed to his injuries a few hours later. The attack was witnessed by a group of British soldiers who happened to be nearby, and they rushed to the scene, managing to apprehend one of the assailants. However, the situation escalated when one of the attackers opened fire on the soldiers, injuring one of them. The incident quickly became a sensational story in the newspapers, with many describing it as one of the most shocking crimes in British India. The media was captivated by the details of the case, especially the involvement of a beautiful woman and the implications of royal connections. Mumtaz Begum, known for her striking beauty, had been living with Bawla for several months, and the circumstances surrounding their relationship raised many questions. The newspapers speculated that the attackers were likely trying to abduct her, as Bawla had received threats for sheltering her. The Illustrated Weekly of India promised exclusive photographs of Mumtaz, and the police began issuing daily updates to the press. The case was so compelling that it inspired a silent film in Bollywood within months of the murder. The investigation revealed that the attackers had ties to the princely state of Indore, where Mumtaz had previously lived in the harem of Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar III. The Maharaja had tried to control her life, preventing her from seeing her family and keeping her under constant watch. Mumtaz testified in court about her experiences, explaining how she felt trapped and unhappy in Indore. After giving birth to a daughter who tragically died shortly after birth, she decided to escape to Amritsar, her mother's birthplace. However, she continued to face challenges and was still under surveillance. The trial that followed the murder was highly publicized and attracted top lawyers from both sides. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who would later become the founder of Pakistan, defended one of the accused men, a high-ranking officer in the Indore army. Despite the evidence pointing towards a conspiracy involving the Maharaja, the court ultimately sentenced three men to death and three others to life imprisonment, but did not hold the Maharaja accountable. The judge noted that there were likely individuals behind the attack who could not be identified. The British government found itself in a difficult position, as the murder had implications for their relationship with the princely state of Indore, which was an important ally. They were pressured to act quickly, and the Maharaja was given a choice: face an inquiry or abdicate. He chose to step down, stating that he would abdicate in favor of his son, provided there would be no further investigation into his connection to the murder. After his abdication, the Maharaja stirred more controversy by insisting on marrying an American woman, which went against the wishes of his family and community. Meanwhile, Mumtaz Begum received offers from Hollywood and eventually moved to the United States, where she sought to make a new life for herself. However, she eventually faded from the public eye, leaving behind a story that had captivated a nation and highlighted the complexities of love, power, and crime in colonial India.