Hyderabad turns 425: From city of pearls to an IT hub
Hyderabad is situated on a hilly terrain around artificial lakes, including the Hussainsagar.
Charminar as seen from Macca Masjid
The historic Hyderabad city, built by Muhammad Quli Qutb, fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, turns 425 on Sunday.
The picturesque city, a successor to overcrowded Golconda fort, grew in the last four centuries from a city of minarets, pearls, diamonds, lakes, architectural beauty, art and culture into a vibrant metropolis and international I-T hub.
It hasn’t lost its cosmopolitan ‘Ganga Jamuna tehzeeb’, the taste of the famed biryani, spicy slang or tasty Gandipet ka paani (sweet water of Osmansagar), though ‘adaab’ has paved the way for ‘Hi!’.
While the Telangana state government doesn’t find it fit to celebrate the occasion for reasons unknown, the Deccan Heritage Trust is organising an exhibition of vintage photographs of Charminar and Mahaboob Ali Pasha, the sixth Nizam, at Urdu Hall in Himayatnagar on Sunday.
There was no looking back. The city grew and grew over the last four centuries especially during the rule of Mir Osman Ali Khan, Nizam VII and thereafter.
“It’s a great city to live. It has unparalleled culture that bonds people irrespective of caste, creed and colour,” says Muhammad Safiullah, honorary managing trustee of the Deccan Heritage Trust.
Hyderabad is situated on a hilly terrain around artificial lakes, including the Hussainsagar.
In 1724, Mughal viceroy Asif Jah I declared sovereignty and set up his own Nizam dynasty. Nizam’s dominion became a princely state during British Raj, and remained so for 150 years, with the city serving as its capital. Relics of Qutb Shahi and Nizam rule are visible even today.
Hyderabad city was the capital of Hyderabad State. It was the capital of Andhra Pradesh after joining Indian Union in 1948 and is now joint capital for 10 years for Telangana and AP.
City grew in 6 phases
How did Hyderabad and Secunderabad grow into a burgeoning metropolis? Historian D.M. Wagh, writing on “Towns and Cities of the Deccan” and quoting Shah Manzur Alam’s “Hyderabad and Secunderabad (twin cities) 1965,” says the development of Hyderabad-Secunderabad took place in six historical stages.
First, the twin city stage (1591-1687) when the city was planned in a grid pattern and became a commercial metropolis of the Golconda kingdom. Second, the transitional stage (1591-1687) when the seat of authority was shifted to Hyderabad from Aurangabad. The city wall was completed in 1740.
Fourth, the subsidiary alliance with British was made in 1798. British cantonment was in the north (Secunderabad). Golconda, the twin city of Hyderabad, was replaced with Secunderabad.
Fifth, the railway stage (1875-1908) which helped cement twin cities further, new industries cropped up and became nuclei of new settlement. Sixth, the modern stage (from 1908), following the catastrophic floods which led to internal reorganisation.
In a lifespan of 357 years from 1591 to 1948, Hyderabad has undergone extensive metamorphosis owing to changing historical, political, economic forces. Its population varied from 150,000 (a rough estimate by the British Resident) in 1839 to 860,000 in 1951.
Since 1901, the population of the city increased more through influx of immigrants than by any other cause — 200,000 immigrants during 1901 to 1931 and from 64,000 in 1941 to 200,000 in 1951.
Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII GCSI GBE, was the last Nizam of the Princely State of Hyderabad, the largest princely state in British India. He ascended the throne on 29 August 1911, at the age of 25 and ruled the Kingdom of Hyderabad between 1911 and 1948.
Quli Qutb Shah Urban Development Authority (QQSUDA) along with Deccan Terrain Heritage, a company with expertise in heritage conservation completed the project at a cost of Rs. 29.50 lakh in four months time.
HYDERABAD WAS ONCE WALLED CITY WITH HOST OF DARWAZAJAS (DOORS) AND KIDIS (WINDOWS), WHICH HAVE CRUMBLED OVER THE YEARS AND PAVED WAY FOR NEW DWELLINGS
Sultan Abul Hasan Tana Shah, the last Qutb Shahi ruler, started construction of wall around the city of Hyderabad.As part of the construction, the stretch of wall was built from Puranapul to the Delhi Darwaza. Later, Golconda was conquered by Aurangazeb, putting the reign of Qutb Shahi to an end.
With the conquest of Golconda by Aurangzeb, the reign of the Qutb Shahi dynasty came to an end.
Later, in the early 18th century, when Farrukhsiyar was the Mughal emperor, his subedar Mubrez Khan started the construction of a wall around the city of Hyderabad, pulling down the old wall and constructing the new wall.
A part of the wall was the already existing stretch built from Puranapul to the Delhi Darwaza during the reign of Sultan Abul Hasan Tana Shah, the last Qutb Shahi ruler.
Originally, the construction of the wall began during the Qutb Shahi period but it was completed during the reign of Asaf Jah . The wall had 13 gates and windows and the last to be built was the Afzal Darwaza. These gates used to be locked after dusk and opened at dawn. The keys were kept in the custody of a senior administrator.
LIST OF DARWAZAS
In the beginning, this wall had 13 gates (called Darwaza in Urdu).They were:
2.Puranapul-ka-darwaza, (also known as Bahadurpura-ka-darwaza)
3. Aliabad- ka-darwaza
4. Dabeerpura-ka-darwaza
5. Laldarwaza
6. Fathe darwaza
7. Yakutpura-ka- darwaza
8. Gowlipura-ka-darwaza
9. Doodhbowli-ka-darwaza
10. Chadarghat-ka-darwaza
11. Champa darwaza
12.Mir Jumlakatta-ka-darwaza
13. Nayapul-ka-darwaza or Afzal darwaza
14. Muslim Jung darwaza
There were 13 khidkis (windows):
1. 1. Rangalishah- ki- khidki
2. 2. Bood Ali Shah ki khidki
3. 3. Kahar-ki-khidki
4. Doodhbowli-ki -khidki
5. Borah- ki- khidki
6. Mirjumla-ki-khidki
7. Dhobi ki khidki
8. Matha-ki-khidki
9. Kalala-ki-khidki
10. Charmahal-ki- khidki
11. Champa darwaza- ki- khidki
12. Hassan Ali- ki- khidki
13. Darul-shifa ki khidki.
After the end of Nizam rule, under Indian Union, before merging with Andhra in the mid-nineteen century the city improvement board saw it as a hindrance for the movement of people and asked them to get involved in dismantling it and for this purpose advertisements were placed in newspapers, recall some old-timers then gates were demolished in 1954.
Now only Dabeerpura and Puranapul darwaza are left
for one to be transported back into history.
Present
status of Hyderabad city wall
It once used to protect people but now cries for
protection itself. The remains of a granite built fortification wall
constructed around the city some centuries ago to ward of attacks from enemies
is on the verge of being erased.
In fact only a small portion of the six-mile
circumference wall survives now. One can locate its remains at City College, Aliabad
Darwaza, Sultan Shahi, Fateh Darwaza. The biggest stretch exists between Lal darwaza
and Aliabad darwaza, but in a poor state. It can crumble anytime.
Not much has been done to protect the fortification wall despite the fact that it occupies an important place in the history of the city. In fact the older part of the city is still known as “walled city”, generally meaning a fortified area.
Courtesy: Paigahs of Deccan
A Word About The Hyderabad District:
Hyderabad (Urban) District in its present shape has come into existence in August, 1978 consequent on formation of a new District, Ranga Reddy from the erstwhile Hyderabad District.
All the rural areas of erst-while Hyderabad District have been included in Ranga Reddy District, while the area of Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (Exclding a small part), Secunderabad Cantonment, Lalaguda and Osmania University are included in Hyderabad District.
There are 64 villages in the District and they are grouped into erstwhile talukas, Viz., Charminar, Golconda, Musheerabad and Secunderabad.
Hyderabad is the capital of one of the most techno savvy state in India,Telangana. The previous name of this city was Bagyanagaram.
This city is also called the ‘city of pearls’ because of the major dealing of pearls that is done from this part of the state. Hyderabad was founded in 1591 and planned as a grid with the Charminar at its centre. It has now grown well beyond the confines of the original walled city,to include a new town north of the Musi river, the Military Cantonment at Secunderabad and a burgeoning high-tech Estate, nicknamed “Cyberabad”.
The State capital being in this District, it is highly developed in all aspects. With a view to bringing up the administration to the door steps of the people to solve their problems upliftment of the people, the Government as a policy took a decision to restructure the Lower level administrative set-up in the state consequently, Revenue Mandal were setup.
Hyderabad District is a city-district in the state of Telangana which includes a part of the metropolitan capital city area of Hyderabad. It is the smallest in terms of area, among all the districts in the state, but has the highest human density.
Old MCH area, which forms the central region of Hyderabad city falls under this district. Hyderabad district was formed initially in the year 1948 followed by Police Action by merging the Atraf-a-Balda District and Baghat Districts. In the year 1978, Hyderabad district was later split into Hyderabad Urban District and Hyderabad Rural. Currently, Hyderabad Urban district is known as the Hyderabad district.
Hyderabad district occupies an area of approximately 217 square kilometers. According to the 2011 census the population of this district was 3,943,323. Hyderabad is known as the City of Pearls, as it had once flourished as a global center for trade of rare diamonds, emeralds as well as natural pearls.
Mecca Masjid, Charminar, Golconda fort, QutubShahi tombs, Paigah tombs are some of the historic structures. There are many other structures like Falaknuma Palace, Chowmohalla Palace, TaramatiBaradari etc., which are quite famous attracting tourists from all over. Birla Mandir, Jagannath temple, Salarjung Museum, Mahankali temple, Hussain Sagar lake, Mir Alam Tank, Nehru Zoological park, KBR park , Mrugavani National Park, are some of the other major tourist attractions.
Geography:
- Area: 217 Sq Km.
- Altitude: 536 Meters.
- Climate: Tropical Wet and Dry.
- Summer: Max 40 C and Min 22 C.
- Winter: Max 22C and Min 13.8C.
- Rainfall: 89cm (June to Sept).
- Best Season: June to February .
- STD Code: 040
- State: Telangana.
- Currency: The unit of currency in Hyderabad is the ‘Rupee’.
- Attractions: Char Minar, Golconda Fort, Qutbshahi Tomb, Mecca Masjid, Osmania University and HITEC City.
- Languages Spoken: Urdu, Hindi, Telugu and English.
- Tipping: Tipping is usually 10% to 15% of the charge.
- Airport: The airport at Shamshabad, 22Km south of the Hyderabad city.
- Electricity: 220v, 50Hz.
- Religion: About 50% of the population consists of Muslims; there are Hindus and Sikhs also.
- Exports: Software, Basmati rice and spices, medical transcription and oil exports.
- Industries: Electrical fans, cooling systems, software industries, jewelers, pharmaceuticals and automotive industries.
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This is 1915 magnificent "Hillfort Palace" belonged to and constructed by SIR NIZAMAT JUNG .
Brief History - Nawab Sir Nizamat Jung was son of Nawab Rafath Yar Jung , Subedar( Commisioner) of Warangal.
In the year 1891 Sir Nizamat Jung graduated in law from Trinity College , Cambridge , England , he was the first person from Hyderabad to achieve this law degree, later he became a Barrister.
He joined civil service during time of Nizam's rule and rose to positions of Home Secretary, judge , held important postions , finally served as a Chief Justice Of Hyderabad State High Court , he was one of the greatest and able person Hyderabad State has seen.
He was an outstanding poet of par excellence, which was recognised by British Empire for his contribution to English literature , service and loyalty .
Recieved the knighthood from British Empire K.C.I.E. ( Knight Commander of Indian Empire) in 1929, thus "sir" was added to his name.
His poetries and Sonnets are world famous .
He was the first President Of Poetry Society.
Seventh Asaf Jah HEH Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur had once requested him to translate his written gazals in english , which he did , such was his ability , even recognised by the Nizam.
After touring this 1915 palace twice in short duration in 2019 , I feel the owner's strong remarkable obsession for English castles and churches probably attained during his stay in England and was realised to select the location of hilly terrain, on the way to erswhile "Noubat Pahad" near Bashirbagh.
COMPARATIVE STUDY ALBUM OF PHOTOS FROM PRIME TIME TO PRESENT TIME .
Architectural Description- Its a very fine example of completely dedicated " Gothic Architecture" style , has features of a European "Castle" and "Churches" in combination.
The large entrance gates have two security cabins very richly decorated.
The imposing palace main entrance has a wide "Tudor Arch" (four centred arch ) , with two buttresses on either sides forming towers , upper portion of entrance arch have inset of
" pointed Trefoil arches" ( three curves) forming ribs within the arch.
On both sides of entrance are richly decorated bay windows , featured on facade with similar style ribbed arches and highly decorated floor projection.
The top roofline has square " Battlement " design all around the roof of palace.
The entrance leads to a a foyer which connects the upper floor with twin "L "shaped stylish staircases and then connects to square large " court yard " which is the integral part of palace and all around rooms are connected by a beautiful parallel covered passage with a series of beautiful "tudor ribbed arches" .
The rear part of palace is at a different level and has very large banquet hall.
Each and every corner is featured with rich gothic ornamentation.
The typical features of "gothic architecture" the buttresses , quatrafoil mouldings, trefoil arches and tudor arches with ribs etc. are very well incorporated.
The design and concept of this palace is so very well conceived taking use of steep contours ( hilly) , it looks like a miniature castle , the lower levels were probably used by service staff.
Picture - 1 Photograph of Sir Nizamat Jung.
Picture - 3 to 11 - Vintage photograph of palace and its interiors- pictures credit , Mr.Arvind Acharya.
Video in album - Is of central courtyard of palace.
Fabulous palace lies in a state of utter neglect.
kindly go through the album to understand my write up all photographs are captioned, kindly go through them. the present snaps are shot by me.
"CRYING WALLS OF THE FABOULOUS PALACE ARE BEGGING FOR NEW LIFE "
On this the 18th of April 2020 on the occasion of WORLD HERITAGE DAY,
I DEDICATE THIS ARTICLE TO SIR NIZAMAT JUNG AS A TRIBUTE TO HIM.
©️ASIF ALI KHAN,
ARCHITECT , HYDERABAD
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NIZAMS STATE FILM INDUSTRY In the year 1927 *Royal Talkies* was established by Dinyar Dinshah in the residency area, which was later on purchased by Vennayya and Maisaiah in 1937. In 1930.. *Yakuth Mahal* was constructed in Yakuthpur area. The two projectors made in 1927 in Chicago were present in the theatre. The presence of these projectors made this theatre to exhibit the movies for more than eighty years continuously. Not only separate seats for ladies but there was also a curtain between the ladies and Gents section. This theatre gave importance to the old melodies. In or around 1930 *Motimahal theatre* was built, in the Residency area. June 14th of 1936 was one of the saddest days in the history of the Nizam state. A fire accident occurred in Mothimahal Theatre of Sultan Bazaar. Fourteen people were dead and several people were injured in this incident. The film “College Girl” was screening in the theatre at the time of accident which occurred between 9.30 pm – 10.00 pm during the end of the evening show at lady‟s balcony near projector room. The fire started near projector and spread into lady‟s balcony. Due to the heavy smoke, people started running towards the exit and there was a stampede. In 1932... *Krishna Talkies* was built at Gulbarga house, Gulzar house. Krishna Talkies used to exhibit the films till recently. Later it was demolished and now the construction work is going on to built a big complex in its place. In the year 1934 *Zamarrud*” was built in 1934 by Nawab Gulam Hussain Khan and named after his grand mother Zamrrud Begum. At that relevant time, it was the largest cinema theatre in India, measuring 200 by 70 feets, accommodates 2000 persons. This theatre was being started with Devaki Bose‟s “Sita” (Durga Kote and Prithvi Raj Kapoor) movie, but it was started with “Bilwamangal”. The “Bilwamangal” movie was the first Indian Movie which was being processed in Britain. In the same year *Manohar Talkies* was built at Secunderabad. 1935-40 *Argus* was constructed at Lal Darwaza, two more theatres were constructed under the same name at Narayaguda and Aghapura, in these two theatres Telugu movies were being run. In or about 1939...Abids shop was converted into a theatre *Select Cinema* it belongs to Patel and Bhagat....later on after its reconstruction named as *Palace Theatre* The oldest theatres in Secunderabad Minerva,(The only theatre on first floor with three balconies) Plaza, Amar talkies (It was the small theatre which was half round iron shed) Dream land theatre (which is now marriage function hall) Rameshwar talkies in Malkajgiri (used to call munta talkies as water was served pots) Select theatre in Bollaram village (only theatre in military area) Paradise theatre (people from districts now Andhra Pradesh also used to come to see theatre ) Sangeet the only very posh and hifi theatre for only English movies and only theatre with Generator Vijayalaxmi theatre at Ameerpet (45 paise ticket and highest 1.20 paise a separate block for ladies and used to be covered by curtain in intervals) LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL Rare show of old photographs at Hyderabad State Museum DECCAN CHRONICLE | Published Aug 19, 2016, 2:39 am IST Updated Aug 19, 2016, 7:06 am IST A picture developed from a glass plate negative by the TS department of archaeology and museums shows the High Court building as it was decades ago. Hyderabad: Rare photographs developed from century-old glass plate negatives of the Nizam’s dominion have been brought back to life by the state archaeology and museums department. Around 30 photographs of major monuments along with the glass plate negatives will be on display at the State Museum, Public Gardens for two weeks from Friday. In all, the department has digitised and preserved 4,800 glass plate negatives under a project titled “Heritage on Glass”. Photographic glass plate negatives used between 1850s and 1920s preceded film, which has now given way to digital photography. The photographs include those of Charminar, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Bhongir Fort, Mecca Masjid, Badshah Ashoor-khana, British Residency (Women’s College, Koti), among others. “The exhibition of photos taken with glass plate negatives will be for two weeks from Friday. We are also organising competitions,” said Ms N.R. Visalatchy, director of archaeology and museums.   opened by Chief Minister and Bharat Rasthra Samithi president K Chandrasekhar Rao April 30, 2023. 265 feet tall, 635 rooms, 10.5 lakh square feet and 28 acres. Laid foundation stone on on June 27, 2019 and work began in January 2021 due to Covid-19 pandemic. The domes of the new Secretariat have been built in the styles of the Neelakanteshwara Swamy Temple of the Kakatiya Period in Nizamabad, designs of the palaces of the royals of Wanaparthy Samasthanam in Telangana and teh pattern of the Hanuman Temple in Sarangapur, Gujarat.        Telangana Martyrs Memorial--Telangana Amara Jyothi or Amaraveerula Stupan, Tank Bund Hyderabad built in memory of 369 persons killed including students in 1969 separate Telangana agitation. Opened 22-6-2024 Designed by: M Venkata Ramana Reddy   |
Courtesy: Paigahs of Deccan
H. H. Prince Walashan Azam Jah Bahadur, with his eldest son Prince Walashan Mukkaram Jah Bahadur
Comparative Study August 9, 2023
The Nizams of Hyderabad and their succession: A Tussle for the IX Nizam Title
Zeenathfar Azmi Syed *
Ph.D Senior Research Fellow, Department of Sociology, Osmania University, Hyderabad, TS-India
.2023.2.1.13
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The Nizams, who governed the former princely state of Hyderabad for a span of 224 years, evoke diverse notions of diligence, opulence, and extravagance.
There were seven Nizams, also known as Asaf Jahis, who ruled Hyderabad; the seventh, Asaf Jah Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur, ruled until 1948.
Hyderabad state, which was ruled for more than two centuries by Nizams, has made significant strides in every development sector, which gave a new outlook and had a transformative effect on different sectors like health, education, irrigation, the judiciary, police, archaeology, art, and many more. Today, everyone can witness and reap the fruits of the seeds they sowed.
It is important to acknowledge their astute leadership,
statesmanship, visionary inputs, and farsightedness that have contributed to
the advancement of society.
In January 2023, following the death of the VIII Nizam, Prince Mukkaram Jah, and a bewildering situation arose in Hyderabad regarding the title of IX Nizam of Hyderabad and the leader of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. Prince Azmat Jah, the eldest son of the eighth Nizam, proclaimed himself to be the ninth Nizam of Hyderabad, purportedly transferring his father’s erstwhile title to himself in the Chowmahalla Palace with a miniscule number of his immediate family members, which even excluded his father’s own brother, his own brother, and the claimant sister.
He invited just a couple of family friends and a half dozen staffers, which included trust officials and domestic servants. Let alone informing his extended family, even his entire immediate family was left out.
There was this obvious selfishness and expressed utter disregard for all but a few in the family, the already confirmed and consistent indifference, lack of communication, and attitude of unilateral actions, which only helped Azmet Jah now and earlier, his late father, gain from self-serving financial actions. This was the final provocation that propelled Majlis-E-Sahebzadegan, along with a majority of the grand children of the VII Nizam, to crown Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan (who is the great grandson of the VI Nizam, Mir Mahboob Ali Khan) as the IX Nizam.
It is important to note that this title signifies his position as the leader of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty, rather than the ruler of Hyderabad. This ceremony took place at Khaja Ka Chilla in the Old City of Moghalpura.
Though religiously significant, this modest venue, located between the weakest members of the family, was chosen to show solidarity. Majlis-e-Sahebzadagan is a society that was founded in 1932 by Mir Osman Ali Khan.
The society, which
represents almost all of the 4,500 Sahebzadas and Sahebzadis (direct
descendants of Nizam I-VI), consists of 4,500 members. Combined with
descendants of the VII Nizam, they represent the I to IX Nizam’s family.
Genesis of the Nizams
from the perspective of their tryst with India
Kilich Khan was the
grandfather of Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan (yet to be the first Nizam; a similar
title of ‘Chin Qilich Khan’ was subsequently conferred on Qamaruddin, causing
much confusion). Kilich Khan was from modern-day Samarkand, Uzbekistan1.
Kilich Khan arrived in India for the first time in 1654 en route to the Islamic
pilgrimage of Hajj during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. In 1657,
after concluding the pilgrimage, he moved to India and joined the army of
erstwhile Mughal Prince Aurangzeb in the Deccan2. In January 1687,
Mughal commander Kilich Khan had tried and failed in an attempt at conquering
Golconda and eventually he was hit by a cannon ball which led to his entombment
near fort itself3. Qamar-ud-din Khan participated in the Battle of
Samugarh, which resulted in the defeat of Dara Shikoh (the elder brother of
Aurangzeb and the likely successor to the throne, and Aurangazeb also had Shah
Jahan, their father, jailed)4. In addition to serving as a commander
in Aurangzeb’s army, he was also the governor of Zafarabad (present-day Bidar)5.
The transition of power
from the Mughal Empire to the Nizams: A concise historical overview
Khilij Khan’s eldest son
and Qamaruddin’s father, Ghayas Uddin Feroze Jung, migrated to India in 1669,
got employed in Aurangzeb’s army, was raised to the rank of general, and later
served as governor of Gujarat.6
Ghayasuddin Feroz Jung,
Qamruddin’s father, had followed Aurangazeb as his general in the victorious
campaign of Aurangazeb that toppled Qutub shahi dynasty at Golconda fort in
1687, giving the Moghuls power in the south by taking over Hyderabad, which was
originally founded by the Qutub Shahis.7
At the age of six, in
1677, Mir Qamaruddin accompanied his father to the Mughal court. Aurangzeb
granted him a mansab. Mir Qamaruddin had notable prowess as a combatant, and
throughout his adolescent years, he started participating in military campaigns
with his father. At the age of 17, in the year 1688, he participated in a
victorious attack on the fort of Adoni with his father. At the age of 19, in
the year 1690, he was granted the title of Chin Qilich Khan (signifying a young
swordsman).8
Farrukhsiyar, the
grandson of Aurangzeb, appointed Qamaruddin Khan to the position of governor of
Oudh following Aurangzeb’s passing in 1707. In the year 1714, Farrukhsiyar, the
Mughal emperor, designated Qamaruddin as the Viceroy of the Deccan. This role
included the administration of six governorates under Mughal rule. Qamaruddin
Khan was bestowed with the titles Nizam-ul-Mulk, which denoted his position as
the administrator of the realm, and Fateh Jung9. In the year 1719,
Farrukhsiyar sought the assistance of Nizam-ul-Mulk in fighting the Sayyid
Brothers. Farrukhsiyar lost his struggle against the Sayyid Brothers and was
killed in 1719.10
Nizam-Ul-Mulk mobilised
Central Asian nobles in the Mughal court against the Sayyid brothers between
1719 and 1722 to expel them. 11 After defeating the Sayyid
brothers, Mohammed Shah became the independent Mughal Emperor and granted the
title of Grand Vazir (Prime Minister) to Asaf Jah 1 in 1722.12
Nizam-ul-Mulk’s conflicts
with the court nobility grew in 1723, and Muhammad Shah sent him from the Delhi
court to Awadh out of concern about his growing influence. By the end of the
year 1723, Nizam revolted against the established order, resigned from his
position as Grand Vizier, abdicated all imperial duties, and marched towards
the Deccan. In the Battle of Shakar Kheda, Mubariz Khan, the Governor of
Hyderabad, was defeated by Nizam-ul-Mulk.13 Following Asaf Jah
I’s victory against Mubariz Khan in 1724, the Mughal emperor appointed him
viceroy of the Deccan.
Nadir Shah attacked Delhi
in 1738–1739. Muhammad Shah sent Nizam-ul Mulk to negotiate; he served as an
important mediator during Nadir Shah’s invasion and was ultimately responsible
for the establishment of peace. 14 Muhammad Shah bestowed
the office of Amir-ul-Umara Bakshi-ul-Mumalik on him in recognition of his
outstanding service to the Mughal Empire.15
In his book
Masir-i-Nizam, Mansaram, the secretary of Nizam-ul-Mulk, claims that Nadir Shah
(a Persian king), after defeating the Mughals, offered first Nizam the duty of
overseeing the Indian Empire prior to his departure. But Nizam refused and
replied “that his ancestors and he himself have been in the service of the
kings of Delhi since ancient times, and such an act of impropriety will make
him eternally notorious in history for being disloyal”.16
The Birth of a Dynasty:
An Overview of the Succession of the Nizam Title from the I-VIII Nizam
Having both titles in hand, Qamaruddin established his position as viceroy/subedar of the Mughals over Deccan and initiated the Asaf Jahi dynasty of the Nizams in Hyderabad on October 11th, 1724.
However, it’s a point of fact that the
tiles of Nizam Ul Mulk and Asaf Jah were bestowed on Qamaruddin’s descendants
on the viceroy/Subedar Gaddi from time to time by the Mughal emperors up to the
point of the exile of Bahadur Shah Zafar (who was the last Mughal, by the
British) coinciding with the 5th Subedar, Nizam Afzal Ud Dowla, in 1758.
Thereon, the Nizams were their own lords and masters as sovereign rulers.18
Asaf Jah was married to
Said-Un-Nissa Begum, who belonged to a Sayed family from Gulbargah. From this
marriage he had four children, two daughters; one of them being Khair-un-Nisa
Begum19 and two sons; Ghazi-ud-din Feroz Jung and Nasir Jung
(later nizam). From other wives he had four more sons; Salabat Jung (later
Nizam), Nizam Ali Khan (later Nizam), Basalat Jung, and Mogal Ali Khan.20
In 1748, at the age of
76, Nizam Mir Qamaruddin Khan passed away after a 24-year reign. With
the passing of the Nizam, the Deccan once more became the focal point of a
power conflict between the British, the French, the Marathas, and the First
Nizam’s sons and descendants, Nasir Jung (who was the second son), Muzaffar
Jung (who was the grandson), and Salabat Jung (who was the third son), each
held the Subhedari of the Deccan for over 14 years at different times.22
According to the 1749
British archives of Fort St. George, Nizam-ul-Mulk proposed appointing Muzaffar
Jung as a replacement for Nasir Jung due to his dissatisfaction with Nasir
Jung’s behaviour. He recommended granting the Circars of Adoni and Raichur to
Muzaffar Jung, with the approval of the Padishah.23
Nasir Jung being
Nizam-ul-Mulk’s son (i.e. have some claim to the Deccan Subah) and Muzaffar
Jung being his favourite grandson lead the succession of one of the most
important Subahs of Mughal empire into a severe crisis with was well exploited
first by the French and then by British.24
Following his victory
against Nasir Jung, Muzaffar Jung ascended to the position of Nizam with the
assistance of the French. Muzaffar Jung was the son of Sahibzadi Khair-un-nisa
begum, who was the daughter of Nizam-ul-Mulk.25 He ruled
Hyderabad until his death in 1751, and his death was in the hands of Afghans
along with Nawab of Kurnool, who struck him in the head with the spear. It is
noteworthy that Muzaffar Jung, who had the distinction of being the favoured
grandson of Asaf Jah I, was the only factor that caused Nasir Jung to pause in
carrying out his execution when he was incarcerated during the Second Carnatic
War.26 The untimely death of Muzaffar Jung resulted in the
ascension of his uncle, Salabat Jung, as the new Nizam. Salabat Jung, who was
the younger brother of Nazir Jung, assumed the position after being installed
as the successor.27 However, Salabat Jung’s reign was
short-lived, as he was subsequently overthrown by his younger brother, Nizam
Ali Khan, with the assistance of the British and the Marathas.28
This history also shows
the trends of the times and the flexible principles of the Mughals when they
clashed with their convenience. The first son of Qamruddin (Ghazi ud-Din Khan
Feroze Jung II), who served the Mughals at Delhi court loyally and was supported
by the Mughals to claim the Subedar seat after Muzaffar died in the Deccan,29 was
widely known to have been poisoned by the mother-and-son duo of Nizam Ali Khan.
Yet Nizam Ali Khan was annointed as Asaf Jah II and Nizam-Ul-Mulk II by the
Mughals, who entertained no grudge against Nizam Ali Khan.
In this dynasty, it also
shows that external powers were kingmakers too, from time to time. The French
were totally instrumental in putting the 1st Nizam’s third son Salabat Jung in
the administrative seat of power and rule in Deccan. No primogeniture here.
This was accepted by the Moghuls too who bestowed grand titles in variance to
the 1st Nizam.
It is very strange but
pertinent to mention here that the Nizam second (Nizam Ali Khan) was in fact
the nizam fifth as the Mughal subedar just because the title of the first
subedar Qamaruddin was Nizam Ul Mulk as well as Asaf Jah. It is more
important in a recounting dynasty that people as subedars with Mughal titles as
accepted Mughal subedars though with other titles,
As one to seven ruling
ones but omitting three sons and a grandson who ruled as Subedars from the seat
of the first Nizam Ul Mulk as well as Asaf Jah and got titles from Mughals as
acceptance, but receiving Mughal titles in variation to “Asaf Jah” or “Nizam Ul
Mulk”, making them as valid as the others in being counted and acknowledged as
the sequence of Subedar rulers of the Deccan under Mughals.
In the year 1762, Mir Nizam Ali Khan (his given name), the fourth son of the Nizam, was bestowed by Mughal rulers as Asaf Jah II and Nizam-ul-Mulk.
At the age of 28, Nizam Ali Khan became Subhedar of the Deccan and ruled the region for nearly 42 years. In 1763, Hyderabad was settled as the Mughal’s centre of Deccan authority from Aurangabad, which helped restoring the city’s former splendour.
This was on the strategic advice of revered advisers like Mohi-Ud-Dowla II / (Imperial title Yar Khan), Jafar Yar Khan, and Himmat Yar Khan, who were decedents of Hazrat Shah Abdul Gafoor Chang Siddiqui of Uzbekistan (who was a confidant of the First Nizam) and held various important portfolios of health and jurisprudence which gave them authority to streamline even the Nizam’s edicts.
They also requested military aid from the Mughals to thwart the marauding Marathas during the second Nizam’s rule. The leader of the army force was Abul Fateh Khan (title Teigh Jung), who was eventually recognised as the creator of the Paigahs.
The Yar Khan family and the Paigha
family were then the loftiest strata of the Nizam’s renowned nobility.
Recognising the strategic and central location of this city was a turning point
in Asaf Jahis’ rule. On August 6, 1803, Nizam Ali Khan passed away at the age
of 69.30
Mir Akbar Ali Khan
Sikandar Jah Asaf Jah III (1803–29) inherited a
successful state. His succession was ratified by the Mughal emperor Shah Alam
II, and his father Sikandar’s titles were also conferred upon him. In 1806, a
large area north of the city was named Secunderabad after Sikandar Jah.31 Sikandar
Jah died on May 21, 1829, and was survived by nine sons and 10 daughters. His
eldest son, Nawab Farkhunda Ali Khan, succeeded him.
Mir Farkhunda Ali Khan
Nasirud-Daula Asaf Jah IV (1829–1857) inherited a
distressed state following the financial upheaval of Sikander Jah’s reign. With
the assistance and direction of Siraj-ul-Mulk and Mir Turab Ail Khan Salar Jung
I, he instituted a modern and equitable system of tax administration.32 On
May 16, 1857, at the age of 64, he passed away.
Mir Tahniyat Khan
Afzal-ud-Daula Asaf Jah V (1857–69): Afzal-ud-Daula
retained the services of his father’s prime minister, Salar Jung I. The year
1857 was a significant turning point in the historical development of Hyderabad
state, as it saw the termination of the Mughal Emperor’s authority in Delhi and
the consequent end of the Nizam’s role as a Mughal subedar. Subsequent to that
juncture, the Nizam assumed the status of a sovereign entity, denoting a state
of independence from the Mughals. He died at the age of 42, when his son and
heir, Nawab Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, became the independent sovereign of the Asaf
Jah dynasty.33
Mir Mahbub Ali Khan
Bahadur Asaf Jah VI (1869–1911): The youngest Asaf
Jahi ruler, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, was two years and seven months old when he was
installed by his co-regents, Mir Turab Ali Khan (title Sir Salar Jung I) and
Nawab Rasheeduddin Khan (title Shams-ul-Umara III). In 1885, when he was 17 years
old, he assumed sovereign rights.34 Among the Asaf Jahi rulers,
Nizam VI, His Highness Mahboob Ali Khan, was the most popular and beloved among
his subjects and was the only Nizam who was born in a family of a Monarch and
crowned as an independent Monarch and ruled till death; his predecessor, Nizam
V, was an independent king just for the last part of his life, and the last
‘ruling’ independent king was Osman Ali Khan, Nizam VII, but only until 1948;
his rule terminated twenty years before his demise when Hyderabad was merged
with India; this makes H.H. Mahboob the most unique of even the Nizams that
ruled as Monarchs.
Mir Osman Ali Khan, Asaf
Jah VII (1911–1967), was born in 1886. Being
the most recent of the Nizam kings, many of the accomplishments of his father
are attributed to him as the face of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. When India became
an independent nation in 1947, the Nizam preferred to be independent rather
than join the Indian Territory. Hyderabad was taken over five days after the
Indian government launched Operation Polo, also known as police action, which
was in fact a military operation, in September 1948. Thus, Asaf Jahi’s 224-year
hegemony over Hyderabad came to an end.35
On February 24, 1967,
Osman Ali Khan passed away, deciding to designate his grandson Mukarram Jah as
his heir instead of his elder son Azam Jah or his second son Moazzam Jah.36
Nizam Mir Barkat Ali Khan/Mukarram Jah, Asaf Jah VIII (1933–2023): Following the death of Mir Osman Khan, his grandson Mukarram Jah37 assumed the ceremonial position of Nizam of Hyderabad in 1967, and he never ruled after the 7th Nizam died in 1967 due to the takeover of Hyderabad state by the Indian army in 1948.
He briefly obtained a certificate from the government as the sole successor to the title and wealth of his father. He lost a High Court case foisted on him by his own aunt, in which the High Court stressed in a considered and researched ruling in 1967 and 1968 that the descendant Nizam could not be the sole heir to his father’s wealth, which was subject to Sharia laws that did not recognise primogeniture and put him on equal terms of inheritance as a Muslim Indian citizen within his family, invalidating the certificate.
This was eventually bilaterally compromised just between the two
and had no effect on the other family members who were not part of the
compromise. However, in 1971, the Indian government abolished the Privy Purse,
all royal titles, and all privileges in a sweeping move.38
A row over the title of
IX Nizam
The VIII Nizam Mukarram Jah, only a titular ruler till 1971, passed away in Istanbul on January 14th, 2023. He was the grandson of the VII Nizam.
Soon after his death, a row over the title and an internal tussle started among Nizam’s family over the coronation ceremony for the IX Nizam of Hyderabad title by Prince Azmet Jah to the throne at the Chowmohalla Palace on January 20, 2023, who is the first-born of the VIII Nizam, Prince Mukarram Jah.
A very few members of
the Prince Azmet Jah family attended this event. The aforementioned ceremony
caused dissatisfaction among the 4,500 members of the Nizam family since it
transpired without their collective agreement or wish, contrary to what was
dictated in the present rulings.40
Individuals who designate themselves merely on the basis of a father-to-son transfer cannot be considered legitimate successors, even within the context of traditional practices, since all historical traditions of rulers and rulers appointing successors or a child succeeding a father, mother, or ruler came to an end in 1971.
Given the erratic and unspecific nature of father-to-son succession, it becomes imperative for the son to provide substantiation of his selection as the rightful heir. Prince Azmet Jah’s close associates merely mentioning a letter from his father conferring him with succession without producing the letter is not substantial, and even if produced, it will have to be proved.
It is evident that his father
could not personally designate him for the position. In any case, since 1971,
his father himself has lost the rights of monarchy and has neither formal
authority nor authority based on strength, numbers, or tradition to issue his
wishes. Furthermore, Prince Azmet had previously opposed his father (Mukkaram
Jah/VIII Nizam) vehemently in a legal forum in a trust matter, further casting
a shadow on the probability of his father’s choice.
On September 6, 1970, the
President of India issued a brief order to each of the rulers of former Indian
states. In exercising the authority granted to him by Article 366(22) of the
Constitution, the President commanded that all rulers cease to be regarded as
rulers as of the date of his order, including those they designated. This
resulted in the instant end of the rulers’ privy purses and the cessation of
their personal privileges. It was introduced again in Parliament in 1971 and
was successfully enacted as the 26th Amendment to the Indian Constitution in
1971.
To become the head of the family or dynasty, a majority of the family members must agree. This is because the state’s courts, especially O.P.147/1995, dated June 21, 1999, made it a requirement that the family of Nizam I to Nizam VI (which is a very large section), be consulted in all major decisions, even though there were trusts set up for them and the welfare of some family members, which may mean that it all needs to be re-evaluated.
The Nizam’s singular claim cannot be supported by the law. This valid ruling permits the participation of the entire family in all dynastic decisions, which logically includes important acts such as coronations and family distributions.
Thus, descendants of Nizams
I through VII are unwilling to acknowledge the clandestine coronation of Prince
Azmet as the successor to the VIII Nizam, as the reign of Prince Mukarram Jah,
the VIII Nizam, has been terminated for at least 51 years, according to Indian
law and a parliamentary act.
In India, the process of
succession to power is no longer predicated on violence but rather on the
exercise of democratic choice. As such, Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan, the great
grandson of the VI Nizam, has been appointed as the IX Head of the Asaf Jahi
family. This choice was publicly endorsed by a majority of the descendants of
the I to VII Nizams on June 4, 2023, which took place on the death anniversary
of the VII Nizam, Osman Ali Khan.
Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan:
The choice of the Nizams family as the head of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty
The Majlis E Sahebzadagan Society, representing most of the over 4500 people from the Sahebzada and Sahebzadi of I-VI Nizam, as well as the direct descendants of VII Nizam in a separate group and the related nobility, has chosen Raunaq Yar Khan as the IX Nizam of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty at Hyderabad.
The Sahebzadagan has announced in
the press that Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan has constantly represented Hyderabad’s
Asaf Jahi Tehzeeb (culture) and has a reputation for being a visionary, an
ethical person, kind-hearted, and community-oriented, unlike the other option
of an indifferent foreigner living abroad in any case.
Prince Azmet Jah is a foreigner who resides in a different country, just like his father who didn’t reside in India for the past half century. Despite the fact that his family name is associated with a governing dynasty that has endured for over 224 years, his father too exhibits minimal emotional attachment to it.
As the offspring of Nizam VIII, who was effectively deposed from his ruling position in 1971 and subsequently resided overseas while asserting his hereditary claims to properties within India (as well as certain international investments), the individual in question solely made visits to India on occasions necessitating the signing of legal documents to finalise the sale of family assets, following preliminary steps undertaken by local intermediaries.
Since none of the purported solitary claimant’s immediate family members are Indian or reside in India, it is logical and obvious to any intelligent person that the money would be a loss for India. Contrary to Indian law, the individual placed himself in the sole putative position or authority to sell and diverted nearly the entire share through agents in India who used his name to their advantage.
They are
still engaged in some sort of transaction, exploiting the invalid succession
certificate issued to Mukarram Jah in 1967, which the High Court’s W.P.
632/1968 ruled was invalid and forbade an ex-ruler from naming a single
successor, a questionable right further comprehensively invalidated in 1971.
A significant portion of the underprivileged members of the Nizam family, who are genuine shareholders, reside faithfully or sentimentally in Hyderabad or India.
However, they are unlawfully denied their rightful entitlements, despite the small number of individuals who may be residing overseas and enjoying decent salaries. The family is now experiencing significant fragmentation, a lack of resources, and a respectful disposition that prevents them from challenging the authority of a fake Nizam.
He has amassed considerable riches for himself, which he employs to
resist the legitimate claims of the impoverished royal relatives, who want a
fair distribution of assets via legal means.
The majority of the Nizam family has chosen His Excellency Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan as a means to safeguard, uphold, and garner the erstwhile esteem of the Asaf Jahi dynasty to the extent presently possible.
The Nawab Raunaq in question is making it abundantly clear that he is not making a claim to personal ownership of the ancestral assets, which include both tangible and intangible properties.
Contrarily, he posits that the allocation of these possessions ought to be
disseminated among the legitimate successors of Nizams I to IX. With the
exception of certain assets, which may belong to a person at face value or as a
father may have held them as self-purchased or acquired, all ownership rights
are also intended to be questioned and put to legal scrutiny in the future and
redistributed judiciously.
Conclusion
As the first Nizam of the Asaf Jah dynasty, Qamaruddin chose his daughter Khair un Nisa’s son, Muzaffar Jung, even though he had six other sons who could have been king, three of whom did, and the first son Giazuddin Feroz Jung II, who was a skilled courtier in Delhi, died while trying to become king.
The last Nizam, Osman Ali Khan, also
didn’t think about the idea of primogeniture, even though it was often brought
up.
Irrespective of the
succession by or through either gender, this indicates that even the ruler or
administrator couldn’t dictate his successor and ensure succession if he was
not powerful enough to ensure his edicts if the various representatives of families,
influential groups, and other forces were not in consonance with his wishes.
Based on the prevailing acceptance among the public and media, as well as the formal backing of Nizam Ul-Mulk’s existing extended family member Asaf Jah, Nawab Raunaq’s position appears consolidated.
Almost all 4500 descendants of the 1st to 6th Nizam, who were members of a registered society linked to an original Nizam trust and the 7th Nizam’s listed descendants subsequent to Hyderabad’s incorporation into the Indian Union, which marked the end of the dynasty, appear to consider them all on an equal footing.
In addition to this, a greater number of members of the extended royal family accepted Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan on a daily basis via legal documentation (according to research interviews with family members), pleading with him to safeguard their rights by means of all lawful means as the ninth Nizam of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty.
This has further solidified Nawab Raunaq Yar
Khan’s position. Additionally, he is supported by a registered society that
works for the descendants, beneficiaries, and successors of the 1st to 9th
Nizam. This society is comprised of numerous government officials and former
high-ranking administrative officers who are well-versed in historical facts
and figures.
This is ample and
irrefutable evidence to support the fact that Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan is the
Ninth Nizam of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty.
The history of Hyderabad as a city began in 1518 when Sultan Quli Qut-ul-Mulk declared independence from the Bahmani Sultanate and established the fortress city of Golconda, calling himself the Sultan Quli Qutub Shah.
In 1589, the city of Hyderabad was finally built on the Musi River by the fifth sultan of the dynasty, a mere five miles east of Golconda.
Haseeb Ahmed
Gachibowli - The word ‘Gachi’ means limestone and ‘bowli’ comes from the word ‘baoli’ which means a well.
Thus the area ‘Gachibowli’ is named after the presence of a well plastered with limestone.
Nizam era architecture. The well goes deep with three flights of steps, two on each level. It has four arches.
This stepwell has a capacity to store 30,00,000 liters of water and it will benefit Mosque, Schools and some residential areas nearby.
Postcards from Hyderabad—stories Europeans told about the
city
For all their colonial underpinnings, postcards from
Hyderabad also inadvertently preserve a trace of local memory: a glimpse of a
street, a face, a forgotten name.
17 August, 2025 01:43 pm IST
At its core, the idea of a postcard is deceptively simple: a portable visual object, often functioning as a souvenir of place, memory, or moment. Between the 1890s and the 1920s was a period now called the ‘postcard boom’.
Enabled by improvements in lithographic printing, postal reforms, and the growing mobility of bodies and images across empires, the postcard emerged as the perfect distillation of modernity: portable, pictorial, and public.
The postcards often featured the life worlds of the imperial subjects, reflecting the empire’s unsurprising desire to ‘see’ its subjects and their worlds. Postcards became an apparatus of imperial representation. These images participated in the construction of what Palestinian-American academic and literary critic Edward Said might call an “Orientalist mise-en-scène”—picturesque, passive, and eminently collectible. Although ostensibly epistolary, postcards were also ethnographic.
This article, however, is less about the politics of representation—though those debates are in your face and inevitably seep into the conversation. The ghost of the Edwardian nazar (postcolonial gaze) lingers in the corners, impossible to ignore.
My intention here is
somewhat different: above all else, this is an essay about Hyderabad,
a city that has joined the places I now carry with me. What forms the basis of
imperial fascination with Hyderabad? Which ‘lives’ of the city are deemed
worthy of remembrance? (As a brief aside, it is worth noting that
the word souvenir derives from the Latin subvenire,
meaning “to occur to the mind,” or more simply, “to remember.”)
A postcard is often a declaration of “I have been here”. The idea of coupling an image with proof of presence is hardly unfamiliar to a generation fluent in Instagram stories.
Curiously, a postcard from the early 20th century (reproduced below) contains this very declaration as its caption. Issued by A. Abid & Company of Hyderabad, it features a panoramic view of the Nizam’s Charminar Palace, surrounded by a reservoir, garden, palm tree, and a fountain.
This palace was also the residence of Albert Abid, an Armenian-origin
Chamberlain to the Nizam and owner of the postcard firm, along with his wife
Annie. Hyderabadis will know ‘Abids’ as a commercial complex that continues to
stand on over 150 years of local history. Albert and Annie enjoyed being in
close quarters to the Nizam, but their curious life and story is one for
another telling.
Reservoir and Garden, Charminar
Palace, Hyderabad (Deccan)| Abid & Co., Hyderabad
Abid & Co. was a major local player in Hyderabad’s postcard trade, curating an impressive collection that showcased the city’s iconic landmarks: Charminar, Golconda Fort, Mecca Masjid, among others. Globally, however, the dominant player was Raphael Tuck & Sons, a London-based publisher renowned for its lavish, hand-tinted postcards and its close ties to the British royal family, distributing imperial imagery across continents.
Hyderabad was not as much a darling of the Raphael Tuck &Sons
catalogue as Calcutta, Bombay, or Madras. Even so, the postcard’s
memorialisation of Hyderabad forms the ground for thoughtful scholarship.
One postcard that I find particularly fascinating is titled
‘Hyderabad. Arms Sellers’. It was released in 1908 by Raphael Tuck & Sons,
as part of their ‘Native Life in India Series II’.
Hyderabad. Arms Sellers | Raphael
Tuck & Sons, London, c. 1908 |From the “Native Life in India Series II”
The richly coloured postcard paints the princely state of Hyderabad through a lens of exoticism and martial nobility. Three dark-skinned men, wearing richly hued turbans and flowing garments, seated amid a gleaming display of curved swords and weaponry.
The postcard perfectly confirmed
Orientalist fantasies, a place where swords gleamed and men wore colourful
turbans. Hyderabad was historically notable for its tradition of arms
manufacturing and trading, particularly during the Nizam’s rule in the late
19th and early 20th centuries.
The city had a substantial presence of arms dealers, such as the Rafiq Armoury, which was established in 1872 and remains one of the oldest arms and ammunition dealerships in India for over 150 years. By 1908, when this postcard was produced, the world had already entered an era of mechanised warfare dominated by sophisticated European weapons.
Yet here, in this
carefully curated image of Hyderabad, the weapons of choice are still curved
swords. In contrast, the British Empire’s power by this time rested on far more
“sophisticated” terms: technological superiority, standardised artillery, and
an industrialised army.
Equally fascinating is the caption that accompanies the postcard. The caption reads “Arms Sellers, Hyderabad. Hyderabad, the capital of the state of the same name, is celebrated for its swords and other arms. The population, which is about 500,000, consists of mixed elements, and is full of warlike spirit and nearly everyone carries a weapon.
Hyderabad is one of the greatest centers of Mohammedanism in India.” The caption appears to be saying a lot about the city in general. It is presented as a repository of martial tradition and religious identity. The mention of “warlike spirit” and a population where “nearly everyone carries a weapon” lends the image of curious fascination about civilised primitivism.
The reference to Hyderabad as “one of
the greatest centers of Mohammedanism in India” also flattens the city for an
European viewership who would have read “Mohammedan” as a marker of both exotic
difference and imperial anxiety.
It is also fairly evident that these arms sellers are framed not as individuals, but as representatives of a type: the exotic native warrior, purveyor of arms, vestige of a fading martial culture. This discussion on typification grants up a good point of entry into the next postcard, perhaps one of the most popular recipient of the Edwardian postcolonial nazar— The Nautch Girls of India.
This one from
Hyderabad stands apart for one primary reason—it attributes a name to the
nautch girl. Miss Chanda of Hyderabad. On the surface, it might appear as if
the nomenclature resists genrefication of Miss Chanda. The story is a little
more complicated than that.
Miss Chanda is dressed in a richly detailed outfit: a lavender skirt with gold ornamentation, a white dupatta, and a tightly-fitted bodice, all pointing toward a culture of princely luxury and Islamic court traditions.
There is a hint of feminine grace and affluence in the image. But of course, she is not just Miss Chanda—she is Miss Chanda of Hyderabad. Her identity is inseparable from the exotic geography she is meant to evoke.
The
title alone transforms her from an individual into a representative type, a
kind of visual ethnography meant to educate or titillate a foreign audience.
Much like the portraits of arm sellers and street scenes, this image offers a
version of Hyderabad through its people—yet what it frames is not Miss Chanda’s
life, but her legibility as an object of curiosity.
If Miss Chanda was granted partial visibility through the
privilege of a name—only to be reabsorbed into the grammar of exotic
femininity—then the next figure’s visibility was never in question. Possibly
the earliest known postcard of a named Indian ruler (with several to
follow) features Mahboob Ali Khan, Asif Jah VI, the sixth Nizam of
Hyderabad, and one of the richest men in the world at the time.
This postcard marks a shift from anonymous ‘types’ discussed so far, to named power. But it does so on very specific colonial terms. The Nizam is dressed in full court regalia, the embroidery on his coat ornate, his belt tight across his waist, a heavily jewelled cap crowning his head.
The
postcard is highly stylised, composed like a studio portrait. The paradox that
we must not forget is that despite his opulence and sovereign authority, he is
a part of a collection titled “Souvenir of East Indies”, built for exotic
European consumption.
Nizam von Hyderabad | Compagnie
Comet, Dresden, c. 1897| From the collection titled “Souvenir of East Indies”
Also read: What
makes someone a Hyderabadi—Irani chai, biryani, Nizam nostalgia, or Dakhni?
Bazaars, Boats & Buildings
The human figure was not the only object of fascination. The
city’s monuments, too, featured prominently in this visual archive. A series of
postcards from the early 20th century turns its gaze toward Hyderabad’s
architectural grandeur, most notably the Charminar, the Golconda Fort, and the
Mecca Masjid.
Each of these postcards, whether of streets, mosques, palaces, or tombs, offers a distinct image of the city. Hyderabad, The Char Minar by Johnston & Hoffmann (Kolkata, c. 1903), for instance, is less about the iconic monument itself and more about the bustling bazaars and the sea of curious onlookers that fill the frame.
The bustling
bazaars of Hyderabad form the subject of Street at Hyderabad by
Unknown Publisher, c. 1905, and the famous Sarojini Naidu poem that reads:
“What do you sell, O ye merchants?
Richly your wares are displayed.
Turbans of crimson and silver,
Tunics of purple brocade,
Mirrors with panels of amber,
Daggers with handles of jade.”
– Sarojini Naidu, In the Bazaars of Hyderabad
In The Mosque of Machii-Kaman by Austrian artist Josef Hoffmann, the stock elephant and the lively figures in the courtyard animate the centre of the frame.
Possibly the earliest known postcard
of Hyderabad, it was created by Hoffmann during his visit to India in 1893–94,
when he was in his sixties. In contrast, the postcard titled Tombs at
Golconda, Hyderabad adopts a more pastoral tone: a boat gently
approaching the rocky shore, softening the memory of empire into picturesque
leisure—into a scenic tourist fantasy.
These postcards draw a picturesque theatre of the exotic. Hyderabad becomes a living museum, ready for the European gaze and imagination.
What then remains of these images, more than a century later? For all their colonial underpinnings, they also inadvertently preserve a trace of local memory: a glimpse of a street, a face, a forgotten name. To read these postcards today is to inhabit a complicated temporality—one in which the empire looks, but we, too, look back.
This essay, then, is not an attempt to salvage
truth from image, nor to dismantle colonial visuality in totality. These
postcards may have once said, “I have been here,” but today they ask instead,
“What was here—and for whom?”
(Note: All postcards have been sourced from online blogs and
archives. The following set is drawn from Paper Jewels, a free-access postcard
collection: Miss Chanda of Hyderabad; Arms Sellers, Nizam von
Hyderabad; The Char Minar; In the Mosque of Machii-Kaman; Tombs at Golconda,
Hyderabad; James Bazaar Street, Secunderabad; and Street at Hyderabad.)
Souvik Nath recently completed a Master’s degree in
English Literature from the University of Hyderabad. His research interests
centre on colonial modernity and its textual manifestations. Views are
personal.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)
Courtesy: The Print
The Statue of Equality, a statue of the 11th century Indian philospher Ramanuja Swamy is located in Chinna Jeeyar Trust at Muchintal, Ranga Reddy district Telangana State. It was built to honor the life,
teachings, and contributions of Sri Ramanuja Acharya, one of the greatest
philosophers, saints, and spiritual leaders of India. It stands as a tribute to
his vision of equality, devotion, and inclusivity.
It is the second tallest statue with sitting posture in the world and commemorated on the 1000th birth anniversary of Swami Ramanuja costing about Rs 1000 crore.
His philosophy of Vishishtadvaita inspires us to surrender
ourselves in Bhakti (devotion) and Seva (selfless service) to God, with
unwavering faith in His grace. through his life and works, he showed that the
divine is not distant or inaccessible, but can be experienced in the daily acts
of love, worship, and compassion.
Swarna Ramanuja Acharya
The 120 kg gold statue inside the Statue of Equality is a
symbol of the divine presence and wisdom of Bhagavad Ramanuja Acharya. Crafted
with meticulous detail, it serves as a focal point for spiritual reflection and
reverence. This golden representation further emphasizes his teachings on
devotion, equality, and the path to spiritual enlightenment.
120kg
Swarna Ramanujacharya
The base building under the statue named Bhadravedi is 16
metres (54 ft) tall and three-stories high. Atop the building lies a lotus of
8.2 metres (27 ft) in diameter and is carried by 36 elephants, over which the
statue sits.
Ethical conduct (Sila) forms the foundation of the path, guiding practitioners to live in harmony with themselves and others.
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