C R GOWRI SHANKER

Mir Osman Ali Khan neither desired costly clothes nor lavish food, but took care of us, says Khanazad Mansoor Ali.

Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan

Hyderabad: Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan, Nizam VII, one of the world’s richest men ever, led quite a frugal life but was concerned about the comfort of the people and especially his Khanazads, those who served him.

“Fakir teh sarkar. Na kapade ke shoukeen na khane ke shoukeen. Sarkar ki baat kuch alag hi thi. Lekin hamareku accha dekhliye (The Nizam led the life of a fakir, who renounced earthly life. He neither desired costly clothes nor lavish food. But he took care of us),” recalls Mansoor Ali, 82, a Khanazad.

The Khanazad, “adopted children”, were imbued the with aristocratic code and served the royalty.

The tall and bearded Mr Mansoori lives in the house gifted to him by the Nizam in what is now a dingy lane opposite the King Koti Palace.

Mr Mansoor Ali ran a cycle shop for some time after the Nizam’s death in 1967. He constructed a multi-storey building in a vacant space in the house given by the Nizam and let it out. He now serves as president of the Jama Masjid, King Koti. He is also a “amil”, helping treat people through “Allah ka kalam” or “mantras.”

Mr Mansoor Ali was among the trusted Khanazads out of 300-odd including 25 women in the King Koti palace. They joined the service of the Nizam in 1958 and were with him till his death, performing daily chores, giving food and performing “maalish” (massage) to the Nizam.

For his loyalty and service, Mr Mansoor Ali was given the privilege of lowering the mortal remains of Nizam VII in the grave at Judi mosque, King Koti, along with Mohd Babilel and Jafar Ali on the instruction of Mukarram Jah. “Can there be a better reward than this,” Mr Mansoor Ali asks.

Born in Barkas, Mr Mansoor Ali joined a short course in the Army School of Physical Training in Poona (now Pune) from August 21, 1950, to September 30, 1950.

Back home, he joined a private regiment and was posted as a “khasa” in the King Koti Palace. “The Nizam appointed Mr Lawrance to teach us English, K. Hashmi for Urdu, Mohd Rifayi for Arabic and S. Mansoori for Farsi,” he says.

Mr Mansoor Ali’s duty was to hand over food for the Nizam to his daughter Ahmedunnissa Shahzadi Pasha, who in turn served the Nizam.

Narrating how he was selected as a khanazad, Mr Mansor Ali says the Nizam’s wife Laila Begum fell sick and needed blood urgently. “I along with four others was summoned to Osmania Hospital. Laila Begum’s blood group was “O”. After tests, only I had the blood group that matched hers. I gave her blood. When Sarkar was told that I had donated blood, he instructed his aides to appoint me as Khanazad with a `30 pension, free food and accommodation,” he said.

Mr Mansoor Ali lived in the barracks in King Koti. Each room had four beds. Unmarried Khanazads were provided free food and lodging.

“After my marriage I was given a salary of `400 per month and a 400 square yard land. The Nizam personally oversaw the design and construction of the houses of Khanazads. Can’t forget those glorious moments,” says Mr Mansoor Ali as tears roll down his eyes.

Married to Safia Begum, he has a son, Ali, an AC mechanic, and a daughter, Fatima.

Deccan Chronicle was Nizam’s daily read

The Nizam VII, who was well versed with English, Urdu and Farsi, regularly read newspapers.

Mr Mansoor Ali with Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan.

Hyderabad: The VII Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, led a very simple life, loved simple food and clothes, smoked 555 cigarettes one pack a day and read Deccan Chronicle daily.

“Sarkar used to wake up at about 6 am, have a cup of tea and smoke one 555 while relaxing on his aaram kursi (easy chair) in the King Koti Palace. He never had nashta (breakfast) and preferred lunch,” says Mr Mansoor Ali, a Khanazad of the Nizam.

All the Khanazads attached to the Nizam used call on him at about 8 am or 9 am and offer “salaam”. Around 10 am, the Nizam held official meetings for half-an-hour to one hour before retiring to his room, a lonely man.

The Nizam VII, who was well versed with English, Urdu and Farsi, regularly read newspapers.

“He used to read Deccan Chronicle, Nizam Gazette, and Shiraz weekly which contained his firmans. He was a poet and read out couplets on occasions,” recalls Mr Mansoor Ali.

The Nizam often ate Basmati rice with kateki kadi, sweet dal made of milk with four anjir, sometimes chicken soup, Mr Mansoor Ali said. Even during banquets in honour of dignitaries, the Nizam ate simple food.

He used to have lunch at about noon and a similar dinner at about 8 pm and went to sleep at between 8.30 pm and 9 pm.

“Those of us assigned to the duty used to massage the Nizam’s feet and he used to fall asleep. My duty was from 9 pm to 10 pm for massage,” the Khanazad said.

According to Mr Mansoor Ali, the Nizam was sick a year before his death and suffered from flu, cold and cough.

The Nizam never used wardrobes and hung his sherwani to a nail on the wall, slept on an old bed and pillow.

“We were provided with new blankets and pillows but Sarkar used to sleep on an old mattress. He led a fakir’s zindagi. None will believe that the richest man in the world led such a simple life,” he says.

The Nizam, according to him, was a stickler for punctuality and protocol. “One day Mrs Indira Gandhi came to the King Koti palace without an appointment and sat in the portico. The Nizam was immediately informed about it,” Mr Mansoor Ali said.

Standing at a distance, he says he heard the Nizam ask Mrs Gandhi, “Beti kaise aye achanak (Daughter, how come you made a surprise visit?)”. Mrs Gandhi replied with a smile, “Beti baap ke ghar me puch ke ati hai (Should a daughter seek father’s permission to meet him)?”

“Sarkar laughed and welcomed her. Sarkar also gave 5,000 kg gold to Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri when he appealed for donations (during the war effort),” Mr Mansoor Ali says.

Citing the secular credentials of the Nizam, he says all his trusted doctors were Hindus, Dr Bali (husband of actor Vyjayanti Mala), Col. Waghrey, Dr Ramaiah and others. “He held them in high esteem,” Mr Mansoor Ali said.