Nizam
Encyclopedia
Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad popularly known as Nizams of Hyderabad was a former monarchy of the Hyderabad State
, now in the states of Andhra Pradesh
, Karnataka
, and Maharashtra
in India
. Nizam , a shortened version of Nizam-ul-Mulk , meaning Administrator of the Realm in Urdu
, was the title of the native sovereign
s of Hyderabad State
, India
, since 1719, belonging to the Asaf Jah dynasty. The dynasty
was founded by Mir Qamar-ud-Din Siddiqi
, a viceroy
of the Deccan under the Mughal emperors from 1713 to 1721 and who intermittently ruled under the title Asaf Jah in 1724, and after Aurangzeb's
death in 1707, the Mughal Empire crumbled and the viceroy in Hyderabad, the young Asaf Jah, declared himself independent. From 1798 Hyderabad was one of the princely states of British India, but it retained control of its internal affairs.
Seven Nizams ruled Hyderabad
for two centuries until Indian independence in 1947
. The Asaf Jahi rulers were great patrons of literature
, art
, architecture
, culture
, jewelry collection
and rich food
. The Nizams ruled the state until 17 September 1948 when the Nizam surrendered to Indian forces after which it was integrated into Indian Union
.
The Asaf Jahi dynasty originated in the region around Samarkand
, but the family came to India from Baghdad
in the late 17th century. Shaikh Mir Ismail Siddiqi (Alam Shaikh Siddiqi) Alam ul-Ulema, son of Ayub Younus Salim Siddiqi, son of Abdul Rehman Shaikh Azizan Siddiqi, fourteenth in direct decent from Sheikh
Shihab-ud-din Siddiqi Suhrawardy, of Suharwada in Kurdistan, a celebrated Sufi mystic
, or dervish, maternal (first), a lady of the family of Mir Hamadan (a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed) (SW), a distinguished Sayyid of Samarkand.
They were direct descendants of the first Khalifa of Islam, Hazrat Abu Baker Al-Siddiq
(R.A).
around 1600 to mean Governor of the realm or Deputy for the Whole Empire. The word is derived from the Arabic word, Nizām (نظام), meaning order, arrangement. The Nizam was referred to as Ala Hadrat / Ala Hazrat or Nizam Sarkar, meaning His Exalted Highness (The last Nizam was awarded this title. It is a hereditary title).
. 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 forcefully 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 recognized as the rulers.
A legend
about the first Nizam states that, on one of his hunting
trips he was offered some kulcha
s (an Indian bread) by a holy man and was asked to eat as many as he could. The Nizam could eat seven kulcha
s 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.".
Because Hyderabad did not participate in the first war of Indian Independence of 1857
against the British, its Royal Family had been accorded by British Royalty special honours and the Nizam was given the official status of Faithful Ally.
, 1st Nizam
of Hyderabad (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. Died at Burhampur on 1 June 1748, aged 76. He had six sons and seven daughters, including:
The Asaf Jahis were prolific builders. Several palaces of the Nizams were:
Other landmarks like the Andhra Pradesh High Court
, Jubilee Hall
, Asafia library, The Assembly building
, 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
.
and started taking support and arms from Pakistan. After attempts by India to persudade the Nizam to accede to India failed, the Indian government launched Hyderabad Police Action on 13 September 1948, swiftly overrunning the Nizam's forces within four and a half days. The Nizam capitulated and his forces surrendered on 17 September 1948 and he broadcast this over radio the same afternoon. His rule ended on 17 September 1948. It was the end of the dynasty.
Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam, died on Friday 24 February 1967. All Nizams are buried in the royal graves at the Makkah Masjid near Charminar
in Hyderabad except for the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan
, who willed that he be buried beside his mother, in the grave yard of Judi Mosque facing King Kothi Palace
.
"The Days of the Beloved" Harriet Ronken Lynton and Mohini Rajan, Berkeley University Press
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
, now in the states of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, and Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Nizam , a shortened version of Nizam-ul-Mulk , meaning Administrator of the Realm in Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
, was the title of the native sovereign
Sovereign
A sovereign is the supreme lawmaking authority within its jurisdiction.Sovereign may also refer to:*Monarch, the sovereign of a monarchy*Sovereign Bank, banking institution in the United States*Sovereign...
s of Hyderabad State
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, since 1719, belonging to the Asaf Jah dynasty. The dynasty
Dynasty
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers considered members of the same family. Historians traditionally consider many sovereign states' history within a framework of successive dynasties, e.g., China, Ancient Egypt and the Persian Empire...
was founded by Mir Qamar-ud-Din Siddiqi
Qamar-ud-din Khan, Asaf Jah I
Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan Siddiqi was a Mughal nobleman the founder of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. He established the Hyderabad state, and ruled it from 1720 to 1748...
, a viceroy
Viceroy
A viceroy is a royal official who runs a country, colony, or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the French word roi, meaning king. A viceroy's province or larger territory is called a viceroyalty...
of the Deccan under the Mughal emperors from 1713 to 1721 and who intermittently ruled under the title Asaf Jah in 1724, and after Aurangzeb's
Aurangzeb
Abul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir , more commonly known as Aurangzeb or by his chosen imperial title Alamgir , was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, whose reign lasted from 1658 until his death in 1707.Badshah Aurangzeb, having ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly...
death in 1707, the Mughal Empire crumbled and the viceroy in Hyderabad, the young Asaf Jah, declared himself independent. From 1798 Hyderabad was one of the princely states of British India, but it retained control of its internal affairs.
Seven Nizams ruled Hyderabad
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
for two centuries until Indian independence in 1947
Indian independence movement
The term Indian independence movement encompasses a wide area of political organisations, philosophies, and movements which had the common aim of ending first British East India Company rule, and then British imperial authority, in parts of South Asia...
. The Asaf Jahi rulers were great patrons of literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
, art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
, architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
, jewelry collection
Jewels of The Nizams
The Jewels of the Nizams of Hyderabad State are the largest and richest collection of jewels in India. The jewels belonged to the Nizams. After merger of their kingdom, the Nizam and his heirs were barred by the Indian government from removing the collection, claiming it was a national treasure...
and rich food
Hyderabadi cuisine
Hyderabadi cuisine is a princely legacy of the Nizams of Hyderabad, India. The city was founded by the Sultan's of Golconda, who has developed its own cuisine over the centuries...
. The Nizams ruled the state until 17 September 1948 when the Nizam surrendered to Indian forces after which it was integrated into Indian Union
Political integration of India
At the time of Indian independence, India was divided into two sets of territories, the first being the territories of "British India", which were under the direct control of the India Office in London and the Governor-General of India, and the second being the "Princely states", the territories...
.
Family Origins
Samarkand
Although a Persian-speaking region, it was not united politically with Iran most of the times between the disintegration of the Seleucid Empire and the Arab conquest . In the 6th century it was within the domain of the Turkic kingdom of the Göktürks.At the start of the 8th century Samarkand came...
, but the family came to India from Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
in the late 17th century. Shaikh Mir Ismail Siddiqi (Alam Shaikh Siddiqi) Alam ul-Ulema, son of Ayub Younus Salim Siddiqi, son of Abdul Rehman Shaikh Azizan Siddiqi, fourteenth in direct decent from Sheikh
Sheikh
Not to be confused with sikhSheikh — also spelled Sheik or Shaikh, or transliterated as Shaykh — is an honorific in the Arabic language that literally means "elder" and carries the meaning "leader and/or governor"...
Shihab-ud-din Siddiqi Suhrawardy, of Suharwada in Kurdistan, a celebrated Sufi mystic
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
, or dervish, maternal (first), a lady of the family of Mir Hamadan (a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed) (SW), a distinguished Sayyid of Samarkand.
They were direct descendants of the first Khalifa of Islam, Hazrat Abu Baker Al-Siddiq
Abu Bakr
Abu Bakr was a senior companion and the father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He ruled over the Rashidun Caliphate from 632-634 CE when he became the first Muslim Caliph following Muhammad's death...
(R.A).
Origin of the Nizam Title
Nizām-ul-mulk was a title first used in UrduUrdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
around 1600 to mean Governor of the realm or Deputy for the Whole Empire. The word is derived from the Arabic word, Nizām (نظام), meaning order, arrangement. The Nizam was referred to as Ala Hadrat / Ala Hazrat or Nizam Sarkar, meaning His Exalted Highness (The last Nizam was awarded this title. It is a hereditary title).
Rise of the Nizams
The first Nizam ruled on behalf of the Mughal emperorsMughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
. After the death of Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb
Abul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir , more commonly known as Aurangzeb or by his chosen imperial title Alamgir , was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, whose reign lasted from 1658 until his death in 1707.Badshah Aurangzeb, having ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly...
, the Nizams split from the Mughals to form an independent kingdom. When the British achieved paramountcy
Paramountcy
The doctrine of paramountcy is the legal principle that reconciles contradicting or conflicting laws in a federalist state. Where both the central government and the provincial or state governments have the power to create laws in relation to the same matters, the laws of one government will be...
over India, the Nizams were allowed to continue to rule their princely states as client kings. The Nizams retained internal power over Hyderabad State
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
until 17 September 1948 when Hyderabad was forcefully 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 recognized as the rulers.
A legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
about the first Nizam states that, on one of his hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
trips he was offered some kulcha
Kulcha
Kulcha kulcā is a type of Naan made from Maida flour. It is particularly popular in India and Pakistan and is usually eaten with chole....
s (an Indian bread) by a holy man and was asked to eat as many as he could. The Nizam could eat seven kulcha
Kulcha
Kulcha kulcā is a type of Naan made from Maida flour. It is particularly popular in India and Pakistan and is usually eaten with chole....
s and the holy man then prophesied
Prophecy
Prophecy is a process in which one or more messages that have been communicated to a prophet are then communicated to others. Such messages typically involve divine inspiration, interpretation, or revelation of conditioned events to come as well as testimonies or repeated revelations that the...
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.".
Because Hyderabad did not participate in the first war of Indian Independence of 1857
Indian Rebellion of 1857
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 began as a mutiny of sepoys of the British East India Company's army on 10 May 1857, in the town of Meerut, and soon escalated into other mutinies and civilian rebellions largely in the upper Gangetic plain and central India, with the major hostilities confined to...
against the British, its Royal Family had been accorded by British Royalty special honours and the Nizam was given the official status of Faithful Ally.
Nizams of Hyderabad (1720-1948)
| Image | Titular Name | Personal Name | Date of birth | Nizam From | Nizam Until | Date of death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah I |
Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan Qamar-ud-din Khan, Asaf Jah I Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan Siddiqi was a Mughal nobleman the founder of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. He established the Hyderabad state, and ruled it from 1720 to 1748... |
20 August 1671 | 31 July 1720 | 1 June 1748 | |
 |
Nasir Jung |
Mir Ahmed Ali Khan Nasir Jang Mir Ahmad Nasir Jang Mir Ahmad Humayum Jung Nizam ud Daula s/o Mir Qamaruddin Khan Siddiqi Nizam I by his wife Saidunisa Begum was the Nizam, or ruler, of the Hyderabad State from 1748 to 1750.-Official name:... |
26 February 1712 | 1 June 1748 | 16 December 1750 | |
 |
Muzaffar Jung |
Mir Hidayat Muhi-ud-din Sa'adullah Khan Muhyi ad-Din Muzaffar Jang Hidayat Muhyi ad-Din Muzaffar Jang Hidayat was the ruler of Hyderabad briefly, from 1750 to his death in battle in 1751.-Birth:... |
? | 16 December 1750 | 13 February 1751 | |
| |
Salabat Jung |
Mir Sa'id Muhammad Khan Asaf ad-Dawlah Mir Ali Salabat Jang Asaf ad-Dawlah Mir Ali Salabat Jang was the Nizam of Hyderabad. He was the third son of H.H. Asaf Jah I Nayab, Subedar of the Deccan. He was appointed as Deputy Viceroy to his elder brother, Ghazi Uddin, in 1751... |
24 November 1718 | 13 February 1751 | 8 July 1762 (deposed) |
16 September 1763 |
| |
Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah II |
Mir Nizam Ali Khan Ali Khan Asaf Jah II Nawab Mir Nizam Ali Khan Siddiqi Bahadur Asaf Jah II was the Nizam of Hyderabad State in South India between 1762 and 1803.-Official name:... |
7 March 1734 | 8 July 1762 | 6 August 1803 | |
| Sikander Jah, Asaf Jah III |
Mir Akbar Ali Khan | 11 November 1768 | 6 August 1803 | 21 May 1829 | ||
| Nasir-ud-Daula, Asaf Jah IV |
Mir Farqunda Ali Khan | 25 April 1794 | 21 May 1829 | 16 May 1857 | ||
| |
Afzal-ud-Daula, Asaf Jah V |
Mir Tahniyath Ali Khan Afzal ad-Dawlah, Asaf Jah V Afzal ad-Dawlah, Asaf Jah V Mir Tahniyath Ali Khan Siddiqi was the ruling Nizam of Hyderabad from 1857 to 1869... |
11 October 1827 | 16 May 1857 | 26 February 1869 | |
 |
Asaf Jah VI |
Mir Mahbub Ali Khan | 17 August 1866 | 26 February 1869 | 29 August 1911 | |
| Asaf Jah VII |
Mir Osman Ali Khan | 6 April 1886 | 29 August 1911 | 17 September 1948 (deposed) |
24 February 1967 | |
Titular Nizam of Hyderabad (1948-Present)
| Image | Titular Name | Personal Name | Date of birth | Pretender From | Pretender Until | Date of death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asaf Jah VII |
Mir Osman Ali Khan | 6 April 1886 | 17 September 1948 | 24 February 1967 | ||
| Mukarram Jah, Asaf Jah VIII |
Mir Barkat Ali Khan | 6 October 1933 | 24 February 1967 | Alive | ||
Line of succession
The Asaf Jah dynasty followed the policy of male primogeniture during their long rule, regardless of the mother's marital status or rank. Currently, the line of succession to the Hyderabad throne is as follows:The line of HEH Asaf Jah VIII
- HH Azmet Jah, the Prince of Berar (1960-). Eldest son of HEH Asaf Jah VIII.
- Azam Jah (1979-). Second son of HEH Asaf Jah VII
Descendants of HEH Asaf Jah VII
- Muffakham Jah (1939-). Younger brother of HEH Asaf Jah VIII.
- Rafat Jah (1966-). Elder son of Muffakham Jah.
- Farhad Jah. Younger son of Muffakham Jah.
- Shahamat Jah (1957-). Son of His Highness Moazzam JahMoazzam JahMuazzam Jah, Walasham Sahebzada Nawab Mir Shuja’at ‘Ali Khan Bahadur , was the son of the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII and his first wife Dulhan Pasha Begum....
, the second son of HEH Asaf Jah VII. - Mir Ahmad Ali Khan (1912-); fifth son of HEH Osman Ali Khan VII
- Ahmad Jah. Son of Kazim Jah (1912-1952), the sixth son of HEH Asaf Jah VII
- Sahibzada MirMirMir was a space station operated in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001, at first by the Soviet Union and then by Russia. Assembled in orbit from 1986 to 1996, Mir was the first modular space station and had a greater mass than that of any previous spacecraft, holding the record for the...
Arshad Ali Khan; son of Ahmad Jah - Baqir Jah; younger son of Kazim Jah (1912-1952)
- Sahibzada Mir Muhammad Jafar Ali Khan (1964-); elder son of Baqir Jah.
- Sahibzada Mir Kauser Ali Khan (1966-); younger son of Baqir Jah.
- Sahibzada Mir Banda Ali Khan (1951-); son of Abid Jah (1913-1983), the seventh son of HEH Asaf Jah VII.
- Sahibzada Mir Mushraf Ali Khan (1969-); son of Sahibzada Mir Banda Ali Khan.
- Sahibzada Mir Ata'ullah Khan (1957-); eldest son of Hashmat Jah (1913-1988), the eighth son of HEH Asaf Jah VII.
- Sahibzada Mir Rahmat ‘Ali Khan; second son of Hashmat Jah.
- Sahibzada Mir Hassan ‘Ali Khan (1959-); third son of Hashmat Jah.
- Sahibzada Mir Husain ‘Ali Khan (1961-); fourth son of Hashmat Jah.
- Sahibzada Mir Shamsher ‘Ali Khan (1941-); eldest son of Hashim Jah (1913-1991), the ninth son of HEH Asaf Jah VII.
- Sahibzada Mir Miraj ‘Ali Khan; second son of Hashim Jah.
- Sahibzada Mir Shahamat ‘Ali Khan (1942-); third son of Hashim Jah.
- Sahibzada Mir Baktiyar ‘Ali Khan (1964-); elder son of Sahibzada Mir Shahamat ‘Ali Khan.
- Sahibzada Mir Sulaiman ‘Ali Khan (1980-); younger son of Sahibzada Mir Shahamat ‘Ali Khan.
- Sahibzada Mir Kawkab ‘Ali Khan; fourth son of Hashim Jah.
- Sahibzada Mir Zamin ‘Ali Khan (1948-); fifth son of Hashim Jah.
- Sahibzada Mir Muhammad Jaffar ‘Ali Khan (1978-); son of Sahibzada Mir Zamin ‘Ali Khan.
- Sahibzada Mir Askar ‘Ali Khan; sixth son of Hashim Jah.
- Sahibzada Mir Muhammad Nusrath ‘Ali Khan; seventh son of Hashim Jah.
- Sahibzada Mir Muhammad Hussain ‘Ali Khan (1970-); son of Sahibzada Mir Muhammad Nusrath ‘Ali Khan.
- Sahibzada Mir Karam ‘Ali Khan (1956-); eighth son of Hashim Jah.
- Sahibzada Mir Osman ‘Ali Khan (1985-); son of Sahibzada Mir Karam ‘Ali Khan.
- Sahibzada Mir Najaf ‘Ali Khan (1964-); ninth son of Hashim Jah.
- Sahibzada Muhammad Anas Ali Khan (2001-); son of Sahibzada Mir Najaf ‘Ali Khan.
- Sahibzada Mir Naqi ‘Ali Khan. Elder son of Taqi Jah (1913-1985), tenth son of HEH Asaf Jah VII
- Sahibzada Mir Ja’afar ‘Ali Khan. Younger son of Taqi Jah.
- Sahibzada Mir Firasath ‘Ali Khan; eldest son of Sa’adat Jah (1917-1988), nineteenth son of HEH Asaf Jah VII
- Sahibzada Mir Saqafath ‘Ali Khan. (1968-); fourth son of Sa'adat Jah.
- Imdad Jah (1944-); twenty-third son of HEH Asaf Jah VII
- Dilshad Jah (1963-); elder son of Imdad Jah
- Sahibzada Mir Irshad ‘Ali Khan (1977-); younger son of Imdad Jah.
- Son of Nawazat Jah (1944-2010); twenty-fifth son of HEH Asaf Jah VII
- Son of Nawazat Jah
- Fazal Jah (1946-); twenty-sixth son of HEH Asaf Jah VII
- Sahibzada Mir Salabat ‘Ali Khan (1969-); son of Bhojat Jah (1947-1982), twenty-seventh son of HEH Asaf Jah VII
- Sahibzada Mir Bhojat ‘Ali Khan (1998-), son of Sahibzada Mir Salabat ‘Ali Khan.
- Manzoor Ahmad Nizami (1926-2008), son of Nizam Uddin Asaf Jah VII.
- HEH Farooq Nizami (1965-), son of Manzoor Ahmad Nizami Asaf Jah VII.
- Sahibzada Feroz Nizami (1994-), son of Farooq Nizami HEH Asaf Jah VII.
- Sahibzada Muhammad Bin Farooq (2003), Nizam, son of Farooq Nizami HEH Asaf Jah VII.
Descendants of Asaf Jah III
- Sahibzada Mir Jamil ud-din ‘Ali Khan (1940-). Descended from Asaf Jah III through his second son Samsam ul-Mulk, Sunisamad ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Bashir ud-din 'Ali Khan Bahdur, Samsan Jang (1797-1876), through his seventh son Nawab Mir Habib 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Muazziz Jang (1821-?), through his son Sahibzada Mir Yusuf 'Ali Khan (1856-19?), through his son Sahibzada Mir Habib 'Ali Khan Bahadur (1900-1937) and through his son Sahibzada Mir Bashir ud-din Ali Khan Bahadur (1921-1980).
- Sahibzada Jaweed Siddiqi (1966-). Son of Sahibzada Mir Jamil ud-din ‘Ali Khan.
- Sahibzada Bashir Siddiqi (1999-). Son of Sahibzada Jaweed Siddiqi.
- Sahibzada Abrar Siddiqi (2001-). Son of Sahibzada Jaweed Siddiqi.
- Sahibzada Mir Moiz ud-din ‘Ali Khan (1985-). Son of Sahibzada Mir Azim ud-din ‘Ali Khan (1950-2008), the younger son of Sahibzada Mir Bashir ud-din Ali Khan Bahadur (1921-1980).
- Son (200?-), son of Sahibzada Mir Moiz ud-din ‘Ali Khan.
- Sahibzada Mir Azmat 'Ali Khan (1944-). Son of Nawab Mir Husain 'Ali Khan Bahadur (1923-1987), the second son of Sahibzada Mir Habib 'Ali Khan Bahadur.
- Sahibzada Mir Himayath 'Ali Khan (1984-). Eldest son of Sahibzada Mir Azmat 'Ali Khan.
- Sahibzada Mir Azam 'Ali Khan (1989-). Second son of Sahibzada Mir Azmat 'Ali Khan.
- Sahibzada Mir Mazhar 'Ali Khan (2001-). Third son of Sahibzada Mir Azmat 'Ali Khan.
- Sahibzada Mir Osman 'Ali Khan (1952-). Second son of Nawab Mir Husain Ali Khan Bahadur.
- Sahibzada Mir Khader 'Ali Khan (1955-). Third son of Nawab Mir Husain Ali Khan Bahadur.
- Sahibzada Mir Tawfeeq 'Ali Khan (1983-). Elder son of Sahibzada Mir Khader 'Ali Khan.
- Sahibzada Mir Mujahid 'Ali Khan (1995-). Second son of Sahibzada Mir Khader 'Ali Khan.
Family tree
I. Qamar-ud-din Khan, Asaf Jah IQamar-ud-din Khan, Asaf Jah I
Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan Siddiqi was a Mughal nobleman the founder of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. He established the Hyderabad state, and ruled it from 1720 to 1748...
, 1st Nizam
Nizam
Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad popularly known as Nizams of Hyderabad was a former monarchy of the Hyderabad State, now in the states of Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , and Maharashtra in India...
of Hyderabad (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
Firman
A firman is a royal mandate or decree issued by a sovereign in certain historical Islamic states, including the Ottoman Empire, Mughal Empire, State of Hyderabad, and Iran under Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. The word firman comes from the meaning "decree" or "order"...
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. Died at Burhampur on 1 June 1748, aged 76. He had six sons and seven daughters, including:
- II. Nasir Jang Mir AhmadNasir Jang Mir AhmadNasir Jang Mir Ahmad Humayum Jung Nizam ud Daula s/o Mir Qamaruddin Khan Siddiqi Nizam I by his wife Saidunisa Begum was the Nizam, or ruler, of the Hyderabad State from 1748 to 1750.-Official name:...
, 2nd Nizam of Hyderabad (26 February 1712 - 16 December 1750). Ruled from 1 June 1748 - 16 December 1750, when he was killed aged 38 by the Nawab of Kadapa. - Sahibzadi Khair un-nisa Begum. Married Nawab Talib Muhi ud-din Mutasawwil Khan Bahadur, Muzaffar Jang. She had issue, a son:
- III. Muhyi ad-Din Muzaffar Jang HidayatMuhyi ad-Din Muzaffar Jang HidayatMuhyi ad-Din Muzaffar Jang Hidayat was the ruler of Hyderabad briefly, from 1750 to his death in battle in 1751.-Birth:...
, 3rd Nizam of Hyderabad (d. 13 February 1751). Succeeded upon his uncle's death; ruled from 16 December 1750 - 13 February 1751, when he was killed by the Nawab of Kurnool.
- III. Muhyi ad-Din Muzaffar Jang Hidayat
- IV. Asaf ad-Dawlah Mir Ali Salabat JangAsaf ad-Dawlah Mir Ali Salabat JangAsaf ad-Dawlah Mir Ali Salabat Jang was the Nizam of Hyderabad. He was the third son of H.H. Asaf Jah I Nayab, Subedar of the Deccan. He was appointed as Deputy Viceroy to his elder brother, Ghazi Uddin, in 1751...
, 4th Nizam of Hyderabad (November 1718 - 16 September 1763). Succeeded his brother, ruling from 13 February 1751 - 8 July 1762. Deposed by his brother on 8 July 1762 and killed in prison the following year, aged 44. - V. Ali Khan Asaf Jah IIAli Khan Asaf Jah IINawab Mir Nizam Ali Khan Siddiqi Bahadur Asaf Jah II was the Nizam of Hyderabad State in South India between 1762 and 1803.-Official name:...
, 5th Nizam of Hyderabad (7 March 1734 - 6 August 1803). Ruled 8 July 1762 - 6 August 1803, when he died aged 69. He had 11 sons and 12 daughters, including:- VI. Mir Akbar Ali Khan Sikander Jah, Asaf Jah III, 6th Nizam of Hyderabad (11 November 1768 - 21 May 1829). The first of the dynasty to be officially granted the title of Nizam. Ruled 6 August 1803 - 21 May 1829, when he died aged 60. He had 10 sons and nine daughters, including:
- VII. Nasir-ud-dawlah, Asaf Jah IV, 7th Nizam of Hyderabad (25 April 1794 - 16 May 1857). Ruled 21 May 1829 - 16 May 1857, when he died aged 63. He had five sons, including:
- VIII. Afzal ad-Dawlah, Asaf Jah VAfzal ad-Dawlah, Asaf Jah VAfzal ad-Dawlah, Asaf Jah V Mir Tahniyath Ali Khan Siddiqi was the ruling Nizam of Hyderabad from 1857 to 1869...
, 8th Nizam of Hyderabad, GCSI (11 October 1827 - 26 February 1869). The first of the Nizams to fall under British rule. Ruled 16 May 1857 - 26 February 1869, when he died aged 41. He had four sons and six daughters, including:- IX. Mahbub Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI, 9th Nizam of Hyderabad, GCBGCBGCB may stand for:* Gaming Control Board, any governmental body that regulates gambling in its jurisdiction* Generator circuit-breaker, a special circuit breaker in the high-current connection between generator and generator transformer...
, GCSI, KIH (17 August 1866 - 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. Died 31 August 1911, aged 45. He had seven sons and six daughters, including:- X. Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII, 10th Nizam of Hyderabad, GCSI, GBEGBEGBE or Gbe may refer to:* Gbe languages, a group of languages in West Africa* Gigabit ethernet, a term for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of a gigabit per second* Government business enterprise...
, Royal Victorian ChainRoyal Victorian ChainThe Royal Victorian Chain is an award, instituted in 1902 by King Edward VII as a personal award of the Monarch...
, MPMember of ParliamentA Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(6 April 1886 - 24 January 1967). 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 31 August 1911 - 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 RajpramukhRajpramukhRajpramukh was an administrative title in India which existed from India's independence in 1947 until 1956. Rajpramukhs were the appointed governors of certain of India's provinces and states....
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 on 24 January 1967, aged 80. He had children, 28 sons and 44 daughters, including:- HH Azam JahAzam JahAzam Jah, Damat Walashan Sahebzada Nawab Sir Mir Himayat Ali Khan Bahadur Bey Effendi was the eldest son of the seventh and last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan Asif Jah VII; In 1936 he was given the courtesy title of Prince of Berar, a territory of the Nizam then leased in perpetuity to...
, Prince of BerarBerarBerar may refer to:*Berar Sultanate, a Deccan sultanate established 1490*Berar Subah, a Subah of the Mughal empire from 1596 to 1724*Berar Province, a province of British India*Berar , a sailing ship built in 1863-See also:...
, GCIE, GBEGBEGBE or Gbe may refer to:* Gbe languages, a group of languages in West Africa* Gigabit ethernet, a term for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of a gigabit per second* Government business enterprise...
, MSMMSMMSM may refer to:in science and technology:* Methylsulfonylmethane, a chemical compound* Markov switching multifractal, a financial model of asset returns* Method of simulated moments, a statistical estimation technique...
(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. He had two sons, including the elder:- XI. Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah, Asaf Jah VIII, 11th Nizam of Hyderabad (6 October 1933-). Succeeded his grandfather as titular monarch on 24 January 1967; titles abolished by the Indian Government on 28 December 1971. He has children that included two sons.
- HH Azam Jah
- X. Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII, 10th Nizam of Hyderabad, GCSI, GBE
- IX. Mahbub Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI, 9th Nizam of Hyderabad, GCB
- VIII. Afzal ad-Dawlah, Asaf Jah V
- VII. Nasir-ud-dawlah, Asaf Jah IV, 7th Nizam of Hyderabad (25 April 1794 - 16 May 1857). Ruled 21 May 1829 - 16 May 1857, when he died aged 63. He had five sons, including:
- VI. Mir Akbar Ali Khan Sikander Jah, Asaf Jah III, 6th Nizam of Hyderabad (11 November 1768 - 21 May 1829). The first of the dynasty to be officially granted the title of Nizam. Ruled 6 August 1803 - 21 May 1829, when he died aged 60. He had 10 sons and nine daughters, including:
Palaces of the Nizams
- Chowmahalla PalaceChowmahalla PalaceChowmahalla Palace or Chowmahallat , was a palace belonging to the Nizams of Hyderabad state. It was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and was the official residence of the Nizam....
- Purani HaveliPurani HaveliPurani Haveli is a palace located in Hyderabad, India. It was the official residence of the Nizam. It was also known as Haveli Khadeem, which means old mansion, was constructed for Sikander Jah, Asaf Jah III by his father Ali Khan Bahadur, Asaf Jah II.-The Palace:The Haveli is "U" in shape, with...
- King Kothi PalaceKing Kothi PalaceKing Kothi Palace or Nazri Bagh Palace is a royal palace in Hyderabad, India. It was the palace where the erstwhile ruler, the Seventh Nizam, Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII, of Hyderabad state lived.-History:...
- Hyderabad HouseHyderabad HouseHyderabad House earlier known as Palace of the Nizam of Hyderabad is a former princely residence of Osman Ali Khan, Nizam VII located at New Delhi. This house was built in 1926 by eminent architect Edwin Lutyens. It was the Delhi palace for the last Nizam of Hyderabad state.It is currently used...
, New Delhi. - Mahboob MansionMahboob mansionMahboob Mansion is a palace, named after Mahbub Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI, the VIth Nizam who lived here occasionally, though his permanent residence was the Purani Haveli. It is located in the Malakpet district of Hyderabad....
- Falaknuma PalaceFalaknuma PalaceFalaknuma Palace is one of the finest palaces in Hyderabad, India belonging to the Paigah State but later owned by the Nizams. It is located on a 32 acre, 19400 square meters area. It is located in Falaknuma, 5 km. from Charminar was built by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra, the then Prime Minister of...
- Bella VistaBella Vista, HyderabadBella Vista, Hyderabad is a royal palace of the Nizam built in the year 1910. It is the Indo-European building standing on a verdant campus. The building's French architect christened it as Bella Vista, meaning beautiful sight, since it overlooks the Hussain sagar lake.It is located at Saifabad...
- Hill Fort PalaceHill Fort PalaceHill Fort Palace was a palace of the erstwhile Nizams of Hyderabad state.It was the palace where the younger son of the last Nizam, Prince Moazzam Jah, referred as the Junior Prince, stayed.It is now called as Ritz Hotel.-External links:*...
- Chiran Palace
- Bashir Bagh Palace
Other landmarks like the Andhra Pradesh High Court
Andhra Pradesh High Court
The Andhra Pradesh High Court is the High Court of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was set up on 5 July 1954 under the Andhra State Act, 1953.Its seat is in the administrative capital, Hyderabad and has a sanctioned judge strength of 39....
, Jubilee Hall
Jubilee Hall
Jubilee Hall is a royal palace built in 1913 during the reign of Mir Osman Ali Khan of erstwhile Hyderabad state. It is considered one of the architectural masterpieces of Hyderabad....
, Asafia library, The Assembly building
Andhra Pradesh State Assembly
The Andhra Pradesh Legislature is the state legislature of Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh legislature has been both unicameral and bicameral in its history.-State legislature:The Andhra Pradesh Legislature is currently bicameral....
, the Osmania Arts College
Osmania University
Osmania University , , since 1918, is a public university located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established and named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It is one of the oldest modern universities in India. It is the first Indian University to have Urdu and...
and the Osmania Medical College
Osmania Medical College
Osmania Medical College originally Hyderabad Medical College is a medical school in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was founded in 1846 as the Hyderabad Medical School making it one of the oldest medical schools in the world. It is presently affiliated to the NTR University of Health...
are among their notable constructions.
The Nizams liked the European style of architecture and created a fusion of European traditions with Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
and Islamic forms and motifs
Motif (narrative)
In narrative, a motif is any recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story. Through its repetition, a motif can help produce other narrative aspects such as theme or mood....
.
End of the Dynasty and Removal of the Last Nizam
After the British left India in 1947, the princely state of Hyderabad did not accede to either of the new dominions of India or PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and started taking support and arms from Pakistan. After attempts by India to persudade the Nizam to accede to India failed, the Indian government launched Hyderabad Police Action on 13 September 1948, swiftly overrunning the Nizam's forces within four and a half days. The Nizam capitulated and his forces surrendered on 17 September 1948 and he broadcast this over radio the same afternoon. His rule ended on 17 September 1948. It was the end of the dynasty.
Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam, died on Friday 24 February 1967. All Nizams are buried in the royal graves at the Makkah Masjid near Charminar
Charminar
Charminar built in 1591 AD, is a landmark monument located in Hyderabad, India. The two words Char Minar of Urdu language are combined to which it is known as Charminar . These are four ornate minarets attached and supported by four grand arches, it has become the global icon of Hyderabad and is...
in Hyderabad except for the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan
Osman Ali Khan, Asif Jah VII
Sir Mir Osman Ali Khan Siddiqi MP, GCSI, GBE Asaf Jah VII , born Mir Osman Ali Khan Siddiqi Bahadur , was the last Nizam of the Princely State of Hyderabad and of Berar. He ruled Hyderabad between 1911 and 1948, until it was merged into India...
, who willed that he be buried beside his mother, in the grave yard of Judi Mosque facing King Kothi Palace
King Kothi Palace
King Kothi Palace or Nazri Bagh Palace is a royal palace in Hyderabad, India. It was the palace where the erstwhile ruler, the Seventh Nizam, Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII, of Hyderabad state lived.-History:...
.
Places and things named after the Nizam
- Jamia NizamiaJamia NizamiaJamia Nizamia , more properly, Jami'ah Nizamiyyah, is one of the oldest Islamic seminaries of higher learning of Sunnis in India.- History :...
university - Nizam CollegeNizam CollegeNizam College was established in 1887 during the reign of Nawab Mir Mahaboob Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI, in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. It is located at Basheerbagh.-History:...
- Nizam's MuseumNizam's museumH.E.H. Nizam's Museum is a museum located in Hyderabad at Purani Haveli, a palace of the erstwhile Nizams. This museum showcases the gifts that the last Nizam of Hyderabad state, Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII received on his silver jubilee celebrations....
- Nizam's Guaranteed State RailwayNizam's Guaranteed State RailwayThe Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway was a Railway Company in India between 1879 to 1950, and was owned by the Dominion of Nizam or better known as the Hyderabad State....
- Nizam's Institute of Medical SciencesNizam's Institute of Medical SciencesThe Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences shortly NIMS is a premier institute and autonomous university in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is established under the Act of Andhra Pradesh State Legislature.-Overview:...
- Jewels of the NizamsJewels of The NizamsThe Jewels of the Nizams of Hyderabad State are the largest and richest collection of jewels in India. The jewels belonged to the Nizams. After merger of their kingdom, the Nizam and his heirs were barred by the Indian government from removing the collection, claiming it was a national treasure...
- Nizam DiamondNizam DiamondNizam Diamond is believed to have been the most famous diamond in its time. There are tales about its size, around . The story goes back to the rulers of Golconda, and is believed to found at Kollur Mine. The precious stone gets its name from the Prince Nizam of Hyderabad.The diamond was almond in...
- Nizam SagarNizam SagarNizam Sagar Dam is an Indian dam. It is a reservoir constructed across the Manjira River, a tributary of the Godavari River, between Achampet and Banjapalle villages of the Nizamabad district in Andhra Pradesh, India. Water from the reservoir is sent to meet the drinking needs of the twin cities,...
- HMAS Nizam, a Royal Australian Naval vessel named for the Nizam prince who helped finance her construction
- Nizamia observatoryNizamia observatoryNizamia observatory is a Space observatory, which was established in 1907 during the reign of the Nizams of Hyderabad state.Its founder was Nawab Zafar Jung, an England-educated rich noble man...
- Nizam ClubNizam ClubThe Nizam Club is located in Saifabad, Hyderabad, India. the club location is considered as heart of the Hyderabad city, which is exactly opposite to Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Hall. Surrounded in 4 acres land.-History:...
See also
- OsmanistanOsmanistanOsmanistan was the name proposed for an independent state to be created as a successor to the Princely State of Hyderabad which existed in the Empire of India before the departure of the British. The princely states that existed before independce of India in 1947 were given the choice of joining...
- Hyderabad StateHyderabad State-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
- Hyderabadi Muslims
- Carnatic WarsCarnatic WarsThe Carnatic Wars were a series of military conflicts in the middle of the 18th century on the Indian subcontinent...
- History of Hyderabad, India
- PaigahPaigahPaigah or the Shums ul Umra family was the Premier nobility of the Hyderabad State. They were richer and had larger estates than the average Indian Maharajah, they maintained their own court, their own extraordinary palaces, and their own twelve-thousand-strong private army...
- Salar Jung familySalar Jung familyThe Salar Jung family was a noble family of erstwhile Hyderabad state, India under the Nizams, who ruled the state from 1720 to 1948. The family is credited with the safeguarding rare artefacts and collections, which are now at Salarjung Museum....
- List of Sunni Muslim dynasties
Further reading
- Mughal Administration of Deccan Under Nizamul Mulk Asaf Jah, 1720-48 A.D.By M. A. Nayeem, Indian Council of Historical Research, University of Poona, Dept. of History http://books.google.com/books?id=wRweAAAAMAAJ&q=asaf+jahi&dq=asaf+jahi&pgis=1
"The Days of the Beloved" Harriet Ronken Lynton and Mohini Rajan, Berkeley University Press