Nizam of Hyderabad

"Nizam" redirects here. For other uses, see Nizam (disambiguation).
Nizam of Hyderabad

Coat of Arms

Mir Osman Ali Khan
Details
Style His Exalted Highness
First monarch Qamar-ud-din Khan
Last monarch Osman Ali Khan
Formation 31 July 1724
Abolition 17 September 1948
Residence Falaknuma Palace
Pretender(s) Mukarram Jah

The Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad, popularly known as the Nizam of Hyderabad, was a monarch of the Hyderabad State, now divided into Telangana state, Hyderabad-Karnataka region of Karnataka and Marathwada region of Maharashtra. Nizam, shortened from Nizam-ul-Mulk, meaning Administrator of the Realm, the title of the sovereigns of Hyderabad State, was the premier Prince of India, since 1724, belonging to the Asaf Jah dynasty.

The Asaf Jah Dynasty was founded by Mir Qamar-ud-Din Siddiqi, a viceroy of the Deccan under the Mughal Empire from 1713 to 1721. He intermittently ruled after Aurangzeb's death in 1707. In 1724, Mughal control lapsed, and Asaf Jah declared himself independent in Hyderabad.

Following the decline of the Mughal power, India saw the rise of Maratha Empire. The Nizam himself saw many invasions by the Marathas, which resulted in the Nizam paying a regular tax (Chauth) to the Marathas. The major battles fought between the Marathas and the Nizam include Palkhed, Udgir, Rakshasbhuvan, and Kharda, in all of which the Nizam lost.[1][2]

In 1903 the Berar region of the state was separated and merged into the Central Provinces of British India, to form the Central Provinces and Berar.

In 1947, at the time of the partition of India, Britain offered the 566 princely states in the sub-continent the option of acceding to either India or Pakistan, or remaining independent.

Hyderabad was the largest and most prosperous state of all princely states in India. It covered 82,698 square miles (214,190 km2) of fairly homogeneous territory and had a population of roughly 16.34 million people (as per the 1941 census), of which a majority (85%) was Hindu. Hyderabad State had its own army, airline, telecommunication system, railway network, postal system, currency and radio broadcasting service. In spite of the overwhelming Hindu majority, Hindus were severely under-represented in government, police and the military. Of 1765 officers in the State Army, 1268 were Muslims, 421 were Hindus, and 121 others were Christians, Parsis and Sikhs. Of the officials drawing a salary between Rs.600-1200 per month, 59 were Muslims, 5 were Hindus and 38 were of other religions. The Nizam and his nobles, who were mostly Muslims, owned 40% of the total land in the state

The Nizam decided to keep Hyderabad independent, unlike the other princely states, most of which acceded to India or to Pakistan voluntarily. The leaders of the new Indian Union did not want an independent - and possibly hostile - state in the heart of their new country, and were determined to assimilate Hyderabad into the Indian Union, by force if necessary. In September 1948, in Operation Polo, the Indian Army marched into Hyderabad, deposed the Nizam, and annexed the state into the Indian Union.[3][4]

Seven Nizams ruled Hyderabad for two centuries until 1947. The Asaf Jahi rulers were great patrons of literature, art, architecture, and culture, and rich food. The Nizams patronised foreign Persian art, Persian architecture and Persian culture, which became central to the Hyderabadi Muslim identity. The last Nizam had been the richest man in the world in his time.[5] The Nizams also developed the railway, and the introduction of electricity; developed roads, airways, irrigation and reservoirs; in fact, all major public buildings in Hyderabad City were built during his reign under the British Raj. He pushed education, science, and establishment of Osmania University.

Hyderabad State in 1909

Origin of the title

Nizām-ul-mulk was a title first used in Urdu around 1600 to mean Governor of the realm or Deputy for the Whole Empire. The word is derived from the Arabic language, as in Abu Ali Hasan ibn Ali Tusi (April 11, 1018 – October 14, 1092), better known by his honorific title of Nizam al-Mulk (Arabic: نظام‌الملک, "Order of the Realm"), Nizām (نظام), meaning order, arrangement. The Nizam was referred to as Ala Hadrat / Ala Hazrat or Nizam Sarkar, meaning His Exalted Highness.

Rise of the Nizams

The first Nizam ruled on behalf of the Mughal emperors. After the death of Aurangzeb, the Nizams split from the Mughals to form an independent kingdom. When the British achieved paramountcy over India, the Nizams were allowed to continue to rule their princely states as client kings. The Nizams retained internal power over Hyderabad State until 17 September 1948 when Hyderabad was integrated into the new Indian Union.

The Asaf Jah dynasty had only seven rulers; however there was a period of 13 years after the rule of the first Nizam when three of his sons (Nasir Jung, Muzafar Jung and Salabath Jung) ruled. They were not officially recognised as the rulers.

A legend about the first Nizam states that, on one of his hunting trips he was offered some kulcha oval bread (an Indian bread) by a holy man and was asked to eat as many as he could. The Nizam could eat seven kulchas and the holy man then prophesied that seven generations of his family would rule the state.

By tradition no Nizam has ever left India no matter how good a reason might exist for doing so, as it was said, "the Sovereign is too precious to his people ever to leave India." After the Nizam family, the next group in the hierarchy was the Paigah family. The royal family had matrimonial relations only with them and were the closest group of nobles during the Nizam's period.

Infrastructure

The Nizam's of Hyderabad throne in Chowmahalla Palace

During the period of Nizam rule, Hyderabad State became the richest. Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII and his family including Salar Jung I were taught by Nawab Sarwar Ul Mulk and Agha Mirza Baig Bahadur, who was his political advisor,[6] and the senior-most salute state among the Indian princely states. It was spread over 223,000 km2 (86,000 sq mi) in the Deccan, ruled by the Asaf Jahi dynasty. The Nizams were conferred with the title of His Exalted Highness, and "Faithful Ally of the British Government" by the imperial-colonial British government for their collaborating role in the wars against Tipu Sultan of Mysore, the Great Revolt of 1857–1858,[7] becoming the only Indian prince to be given both these titles.[8] The rule of the Nizams brought cultural and economic growth for Hyderabad city. One example of the wealth of Nizam rule is the Jewels of the Nizams, which is an international tourist attraction occasionally displayed in Salar Jung Museum. In 1948 Hyderabad state had an estimated population of 17 million (1.7 crore), and it generated an estimated annual revenue of £90,029,000.[7] The state had its own currency known as the Hyderabadi rupee, until 1951.[9] The pace at which the last Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan amassed wealth made him one of the world's richest men in 1937 and he was also known for his miserliness.[8] He was estimated to be worth ₹660 crores (roughly US$2 billion by the then exchange rates).[10] According to the Forbes All-Time Wealthiest List of 2008, Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan is the fifth richest man in recorded history per the figures, with an estimated worth of US$210.8 billion adjusted by Forbes as per the growth of the US GDP since that period and the present exchange-rate of the US dollar against the Indian rupee.[9] The Nizams set up numerous institutions in the name of the dynasty including hospitals and schools, colleges, universities that imparted education in Urdu.[9] Inspired by the Indian Civil Service, the Nizams established their own local Hyderabad Civil Service. They were great engineers: for example, they built large reservoirs. Survey work on the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam was initiated during this time, although the actual work was actually completed under the aegis of the Government of India in 1969.[11][12]

List of Nizams of Hyderabad (1724–1948)

Image Titular Name Personal Name Date of birth Nizam From Nizam Until Date of death
 Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah I
نظام‌الملک آصف جاہ		 Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan 20 August 1671 31 July 1724 1 June 1748
 Nasir Jung
نصیرجنگ		 Mir Ahmed Ali Khan 26 February 1712 1 June 1748 16 December 1750
 Muzaffar Jung
مظفرجنگ		 Mir Hidayat Muhi-ud-din Sa'adullah Khan ? 16 December 1750 13 February 1751
 Salabat Jung
صلابت جنگ		 Mir Sa'id Muhammad Khan 24 November 1718 13 February 1751 8 July 1762
(deposed)		 16 September 1763
 Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah II
نظام‌الملک آصف جاہ دوم		 Mir Nizam Ali Khan 7 March 1734 8 July 1762 6 August 1803
 Sikander Jah, Asaf Jah III
سکندر جاہ ،آصف جاہ تریہم		 Mir Akbar Ali Khan 11 November 1768 6 August 1803 21 May 1829
 Nasir-ud-Daula, Asaf Jah IV
ناصر الدولہ ،آصف جاہ چارہم		 Mir Farqunda Ali Khan 25 April 1794 21 May 1829 16 May 1857
 Afzal-ud-Daula, Asaf Jah V
افضال الدولہ ،آصف جاہ پنجم		 Mir Tahniyath Ali Khan 11 October 1827 16 May 1857 26 February 1869
 Asaf Jah VI
آصف جاہ شیشم		 Mir Mahbub Ali Khan 17 August 1866 26 February 1869 29 August 1911
 Asaf Jah VII
آصف جاہ ہفتم		 Mir Osman Ali Khan 6 April 1886 29 August 1911 17 September 1948
(deposed)		 24 February 1967

Descendants of the last Nizam, Osman Ali Khan, Asif Jah VII

On 22 February 1937 a cover story by TIME called Osman Ali Khan, Asif Jah VII as the wealthiest man in the world

The last Nizam, Osman Ali Khan, Asif Jah VII, had 28 sons and 44 daughters. The Asaf Jah dynasty followed the Order of Precedence of male primogeniture regardless of the mother's marital status or rank. Among his children were Azam Jah, Prince of Berar (21 February 1907 – 9 October 1970) the eldest son.

Family tree

  • I. Asaf Jah I, Yamin us-Sultanat, Rukn us-Sultanat, Jumlat ul-Mulk, Madar ul-Maham, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Khan-i-Dauran, Nawab Mir Ghazi ud-din Siddiqi, Khan Bahadur, Fath Jang, Sipah Salar, Nawab Subadar of the Deccan, 1st Nizam of Hyderabad (cr. 1720) (20 August 1671 – 1 June 1748). A senior governor and counsellor in the Imperial government. Defeated the Imperial forces on 19 June 1720 at Hasanpur and formed an independent state of his own. Confirmed in his possessions by Imperial firman and crowned on 31 July. Named Vice-Regent of the Mughal Empire by the Emperor Muhammad Shah on 8 February 1722, secured the province of Berar on 11 October 1724 and formally made Hyderabad City his new capital on 7 December 1724.
    • II. Humayun Jah, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Ahmad 'Ali Siddiqi, Khan Bahadur, Nasir Jang, Nawab Subadar of the Deccan, 2nd Nizam of Hyderabad (26 February 1712 – k. by the Nawab of Kadapa 16 December 1750; r. 1 June 1748–16 December 1750).
    • Sahibzadi Khair un-nisa Begum. Married Nawab Talib Muhi ud-din Mutasawwil Khan Bahadur, Muzaffar Jang:
      • III. Nawab Hidayat Muhi ud-din Sa'adu'llah Siddiqi, Khan Bahadur, Muzaffar Jang, Nawab Subadar of the Deccan, 3rd Nizam of Hyderabad (k. by the Nawab of Kurnool 13 February 1751; r. 16 December 1750–13 February 1751).
    • IV. Amir ul-Mamalik, Asaf ud-Daula, Nawab Said Muhammad Siddiqi, Khan Bahadur, Zaffar Jang, Nawab Subadar of the Deccan, 4th Nizam of Hyderabad (November 1718 – 16 September 1763; r. 13 February 1751–8 July 1762). Deposed by his younger brother on 8 July 1762 and killed in prison the following year, aged 44.
    • V. Asaf Jah II, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Nizam 'Ali Siddiqi, Khan Bahadur, Fath Jang, Sipah Salar, Nawab Subadar of the Deccan, 5th Nizam of Hyderabad (7 March 1734 – 6 August 1803; r. 8 July 1762–6 August 1803)
      • VI. Asaf Jah III, Muzaffar ul-Mamaluk, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Akbar 'Ali Siddiqi, Khan Bahadur, Fulad Jang, 6th Nizam of Hyderabad (11 November 1768 – 21 May 1829; r. 6 August 1803–21 May 1829). The first of the dynasty to be officially granted the title of Nizam.
        • VII. Rustam-i-Dauran, Aristu-i-Zaman, Asaf Jah IV, Muzaffar ul-Mamaluk, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Farkhanda 'Ali Siddiqi, Khan Bahadur [Gufran Manzil], Sipah Salar, Fath Jang, Ayn waffadar Fidvi-i-Senliena, Iqtidar-i-Kishwarsitan Muhammad Akbar Shah Padshah-i-Ghazi, 7th Nizam of Hyderabad (25 April 1794 – 16 May 1857; r. 21 May 1829–16 May 1857).
          • VIII. Asaf Jah V, Nizam ul-Mulk, Afzal ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Tahniyat 'Ali Siddiqi, Khan Bahadur, 8th Nizam of Hyderabad, GCSI (11 October 1827 – 26 February 1869; r. 16 May 1857–26 February 1869). The first of the dynasty to come under British rule.
            • IX. Rustam-i-Dauran, Arustu-i-Zaman, Wal Mamaluk, Asaf Jah VI, Muzaffar ul-Mamaluk, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Mahbub 'Ali Siddiqi, Khan Bahadur, Sipah Salar, Fath Jang, 9th Nizam of Hyderabad GCB, GCSI (17 August 1866 – 31 August 1911; r. 26 February 1869–31 August 1911). Succeeded his father on 26 February 1869, ruled under a regency until 5 February 1884, when he was invested with full ruling powers by the Viceroy of India.
              • X. Rustam-i-Dauran, Arustu-i-Zaman, Wal Mamaluk, Asaf Jah VII, Muzaffar ul-Mamaluk, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Osman ‘Ali Siddiqi, Khan Bahadur, Sipah Salar, Fath Jang, Faithful Ally of the British Government, 10th Nizam of Hyderabad and of Berar GCSI, GBE, Royal Victorian Chain, MP (6 April 1886–24 January 1967; r. 31 August 1911–26 January 1950). Granted the style of His Exalted Highness (1 January 1918), the title of Faithful Ally of the British Government (24 January 1918) and Nizam of Hyderabad and of Berar (13 November 1936). The last of the ruling Nizams; ruled absolutely from his accession until 19 September 1948, when the state was formally annexed to the Union of India. Maintained semi-ruling and semi-autonomous status from then until 23 November 1949, when he accepted the paramountcy of the new Indian government and Constitution and acceded to the Union. Formally lost his sovereignty, ending 230 years of Asaf Jahi rule, upon the formal promulgation of the Constitution on 26 January 1950. Served as Rajpramukh of the new Hyderabad State from 26 January 1950 until 31 October 1956, when the post was abolished. Served as a titular monarch from 26 January 1950 until his death.
                • Azam Jah, Prince of Berar GCIE, GBE (21 February 1907 –9 October 1970). Granted the title of His Highness the Prince of Berar (13 November 1936). Passed over in the line of succession in 1967 in favour of his elder son.
                  • XI. Rustam-i-Dauran, Arustu-i-Zaman, Wal Mamaluk, Asaf Jah VIII, Muzaffar ul-Mamaluk, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Barakat ‘Ali Siddiqi, Khan Bahadur, Sipah Salar, Fath Jang, 11th Nizam of Hyderabad and Berar (b. 6 October 1933; 11th Nizam: 24 January 1967–28 December 1971; dynastic head and pretender since then).
                    • Azmat Jah, Nawab Mir Muhammad Azmat ‘Ali Siddiqi, Khan Bahadur (b. 23 June 1960; appointed Prince of Berar and heir apparent: 2002)

Although many Muslim princes would have welcomed a matrimonial alliance with the Nizam's family, the Nizam's daughters had been married traditionally to young men of the Paigah family. This family belonged to the Sunni sect, and from the second Nizam's time they had been personal bodyguards of the Nizam.

italics – Considered pretenders by most historians; refrained from exercising traditional authority during their reigns.[13]

Palaces of the Nizams

Chowmahalla Palace

The Asaf Jahis were prolific builders. Several palaces of the Nizams were:

Other landmarks include the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad, City College, Public Gardens, also known as Bagh-e-aam, Jubilee Hall, Asafia library, The Assembly building, Niloufer Hospital, the Osmania Arts College and the Osmania Medical College are among their notable constructions.

The Nizams liked the European style of architecture and created a fusion of European traditions with Hindu and Islamic forms and motifs.

End of the Dynasty and Removal of the Last Nizam

General El Edroos (at right) offers his surrender of the Hyderabad State Forces to Major General (later General and Army Chief) Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri at Secunderabad.

After the British left India in 1947, the Nizam of Hyderabad initially chose to join neither India nor Pakistan. He later declared Hyderabad a free, self-governing independent state but the Government of India, desirous of ending marginalization of the population under Nizam, refused to accept his point of view citing as reasons: Hyderabad being surrounded by India on all sides and not having an access to the sea. After extensive attempts by India to persuade the Nizam to accede to India failed, the Indian government finally launched a military operation named Operation Polo to overthrow his rule. When the Indian Army invaded his princely State on 13 September 1948, his overwhelmingly untrained forces were unable to withstand the Indian army and were defeated. The Nizam capitulated in surrendering his forces on 17 September 1948; that same afternoon he broadcast the news over the State radio network. The Nizam was forced to accept accession to the new Republic of India. His abdication on 17 September 1948 marked the end of the dynasty's ambitions. Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam, died on Friday 24 February 1967. All the Nizams are buried in royal graves at the Makkah Masjid near Charminar in Hyderabad excepting the last, Mir Osman Ali Khan, who wished to be buried beside his mother, in the graveyard of Judi Mosque facing King Kothi Palace opposite, befitting the rulers in time and place.

Places and things named after the Nizam

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: P-Z". google.com.pk.
  2. ↑ "The State at War in South Asia". google.com.pk.
  3. ↑ "Official Website of Indian Army". Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  4. ↑ "Hyderabad on the Net". Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  5. ↑ "Top 10: Richest Men (of All Time)". inStash. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  6. ↑ "Hyderabad:silver jubilee durbar". Time (magazine). 22 February 1937. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  7. 1 2 "Hyderabad:the holdout". Time (magazine). 30 August 1948. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
  8. 1 2 "Richest Indian in history!". Daily Star (United Kingdom). 23 July 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2011. "Making money the royal way". The Economic Times. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 "Jewel in the crown: a palace fit for a Nizam". The Guardian. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  10. ↑ History of the rupee
  11. ↑ Mahmood Bin, Muhammad (1999). A policeman ponders: memories and melodies of a varied life. A.P.H.Publishing Corporation. p. 19. ISBN 978-81-7648-026-0.
  12. ↑ Rann Singh, Mann (1996). Tribes of India:ongoing challenges. MD Publication Pvt Ltd. p. 310. ISBN 81-7533-007-4.
  13. ↑ "hyder". Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  14. ↑ http://joyhyderabad.com/web/history-of-hyderabad/
Secondary sources

External links

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