Nizam of Hyderabad, is Fifth on Forbes ‘All Time Wealthiest’ list of 2008 with Net Worth: 210.8 Billion USD. Bill Gates is twentieth, Net Worth: 101.0 Billion USD. This is a list of historical figures who lived during the Industrial age, Information Age, Middle Ages, Ancient world and is solely based on net worth accumulated by inheritance or personal earnings. The estimated net worth of these people is calculated into inflation-adjusted 2007 dollars, from when historical figures were at the peak of their net worth
Last Nizam of Princely State of Hyderabad and Berar, Fath Jang Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII, was The Richest Man in the 1940s, having a fortune estimated at $2 billion. He ruled Hyderabad between 1911 and 1948 until it was made part of India as a result of Operation Polo launched by the Indian Government.
Nizam of Hyderabad even featured on the cover of TIME magazine. While rulers of other big states like Kashmir, Jodhpur Bikaner, Indore, and Bhopal were given the title of “His Excellency” (H.E.), the Nizam of Hyderabad alone had the title of “His Exalted Highness” (H.E.H.)
During the rule of Aurangzeb’s great grandson Muhammad Shah (1719-1748), the governor of Deccan was one Nizam-ul-Mulk. In 1723 he decided to carve himself a kingdom. Another Mughal functionary, Mubariz Khan had created a near independent state in Hyderabad, which was attacked by the Nizam in 1724. After forsaking his capital in Aurangabad, the Nizam moved to Hyderabad and founded the strongest independent Muslim state of the South.
Later Nizams played puppet pawns in the hands of the British and the French of Pondicherry. After French were defeated by the British, the Nizam of Hyderabad switched his allegiance to the British and ruled till Independence of India under British
protection.
When India attained her Independence, and Sardar Patel was in the process of integrating India’s princely states, Jammu and Kashmir, Junagadh and Hyderabad decided to sought accession with Pakistan or declare independence. Hyderabad was the largest of the princely states, and included parts of present-day Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra states. Its ruler, the Nizam Osman Ali Khan was a Muslim, although over 80% of its people were Hindu. The Nizam of Hyderabad kept on changing his position and Patel could take no more.
Patel ordered the Indian Army to integrate Hyderabad (in his capacity as Acting Prime Minister) when Nehru was touring Europe.The action was termed Operation Polo, in which thousands of Razakar forces had been killed, but Hyderabad was comfortably secured into the Indian Union.
Post Operation Polo, Nizam of Hyderabad had lost all its powers, and was merely a ceremonial chief of the state.
Hyderabad, over the course of seven generations of Nizams, had become the richest state of the world. However, the world related most to its seventh ruler, Mir Osaman Ali Khan who is famous for his idiosyncrasies and wealth. He negotiated with the Portuguese in the 1940s to buy Goa from them. He owned world’s grandiose treasures but lived like a pauper, smoke cheap bidhis, and wear tattered clothes.
His collection of pearls alone could fill up an Olympic size swimming pool. He gained the famous Jacob Diamond – the 400 carat diamond, double the size of the Kohinoor and world’s fifth largest, through a famous ‘Diamond Suit’ in 1892. The Jacob Diamond was later purchased by the Government of India in 1995 after a battle of 24 years with the Nizam’s trust for an estimated $13 million along with other Jewels of The Nizams, and is held at the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai. The value of Jacob Diamond alone is 100 million pounds. The seventh and last Nizam found the duck-egg-sized diamond hidden in his father’s slippers and used it as a paperweight.
Times reported on Feb 22, 1937 – Most news stories hung on the Richest Man are chiefly chatter about how careful His Exalted Highness is with his pennies — whereas $5,000 is his approximate daily income, his jewels have an estimated value of $150,000,000, he reputedly has salted down $250,000,000 in gold bars and his capital totals some $1,400,000,000, not to mention the fabled “Mines of Golconda…
…The cash Silver Jubilee gifts to the Nizam of Hyderabad, by his subjects were expected this week to total at least $1,000,000.
Nizam’s Jewels, valued at $ 250- $ 350 million by the Sotheby’s and Christie’s, date back to early 18th century to early 20 century. Crafted in gold and silver and embellished with enameling, the jewels are set with Colombian emeralds, diamonds from the Golconda mines, Burmese rubies and spinels, and pearls from Basra and Gulf of Mannar.
While India thought they had settled all deals with the Nizams and their 200 heirs, they are back in the news.
Osman Ali Khan nominated not his son, but grandson Mukarram Jah (born in France and had Turkish mother), to be the next (and last) titled Nizam of Hyderabad. Mukarram Jah could not take the battles over his grandfather’s wealth and escaped to Australia where in spite of having the best possible education money could buy (Harrow, Cambridge, LSE, Sandhurst), he run bulldozers, married and divorced five times, one of them being former Miss Turkey. He now lives in a two room apartment in Istanbul, Turkey.
Nizam of Hyderabad is reported to have impregnated 86 of his mistresses, siring more than 100 illegitimate children and a sea of rival claimants.
However, Jah has not been able to escape it all. He has four sons and a daughter from his five wives. The eldest of them, Azmet Jah , a cameraman in Hollywood who has worked with Steven Spielberg, Richard Attenborough, Nicolas Roeg , hopes to come back to Hyderabad.
“I am determined to maintain what has been saved. We’ll not make the same mistakes again.”
His mother Esra has been visiting Hyderabad and overlooking the work of restoration of Palace Chowmahalla which was compared to the Enchanted Gardens of the Arabian Nights.
India is now on its way to make a final deal with the Nizams. Today, Government of India agreed for an out-of-court settlement with Pakistan and descendants of Nizam of Hyderabad. Mir Osaman Ali Khan had on September 20, 1948 transfered one million pounds maintained in the account of the Nizam of Hyderabad’s government in National Westminster Bank to an account of Habib Ibrahim Rahimtoola, the then Pakistani High Commissioner to Britain, as the Nizam dithered over which of the two new nations to join. He then cabled the bank to freeze the transaction when pressured by the government of India.
In 1957, after several rounds of litigation between the Nizam and the Pakistani government, the case reached Britain’s House of Lords, which ruled that the account could only be unfrozen with the agreement of all the parties. (Click on Picture on Right for the document).
The amount has grown to about 30 million pound sterling and New Delhi intends to broker a compromise with the two heirs of the Nizam of Hyderabad and Pakistan. Will it be easy?
Mr Muhammad Safiullah, cultural adviser to the Nizam’s Trust, said,”Mir Osman Ali Khan’s grandsons Shahmat Jah, Mufakham Jah and Mukarram Jah, granddaughter Fatima Fouzia and other family members have all staked claim to part of the funds. Since there’s no Nizam government now, the Nizam’s trust and his legal heirs will also get a part of the money. The ruler wanted to help the nascent Pakistani government in 1948 as it had no money to pay even the salaries of its employees.”
Nizam’s heirs do not wish to share the money with either India or Pakistan. “The money is ours and we alone are the legal heirs. Once the matters become clear, we will lay claim,” they say.
Almost sixty years after Independence, and 37 years after Indira Gandhi abolished the Privy Purses, our fascination with the fortunes of India’s maharajahs and nizams has not abated it seems!
Click on the picture to see some recent pictures of the royal family’s visit to Hyderabad.
helloji
FabbiGabby
jaded_mind
Wealthiest !!!!!
He never bothered to take any measures to develop his kingdom, he was
just collecting taxes with out spending even a penny. The area he
ruled are still undeveloped ( thanks to even current politicians). He
just build couple of palaces in hyderabad and left out other areas
like gulbarga, raichur, mahabubnagar, nizamabad, adilabad, nalgonda,
osmanabad, lathur, bidhar,
I am from Peshawar, Pakistan and residing in US. When I was a child, my uncle Shah Jehan used to talk about Nizam alot. I have been looking it up and it is amazing…simply amazing how powerful this family was. All Hyderabadi’s should be proud and yes it does not matter if one is Sikh, Isai, Hindu or Muslim…we as people were once great as one strong Nation.
Britishers owe Kohi-Noor back to Hyderabad…with an appology of stealing it and many other things from Hindostan. Sardar was never liked by Nehru and Nizam’s wealth should not have been swallowed by government/ auctioneers…One more thing…I wish Nizams would have married in Hyderabad rather and not ventured for Australian desserts and so on…
Alam Khan
[...] HelloJi on the Nizam of Hyderabad in India who made it to the Forbes' All Time Wealthiest list. Posted by Neha Viswanathan Share This [...]
The source of Nizam’s wealth was the money collected as taxes from his poor population. Hence, the money belongs to the people. He has been squandering it by marrying these stupid women from Turkey, and not investing in projects meant for the good will of his people. So the money should be confiscated and put in development projects.
[...] Billion USD. This is a list of historical figures who lived during the Industrial age, Information Ahttp://helloji.wordpress.com/2008/04/11/nizam-of-hyderabad-fifth-on-the-forbes-all-time-wealthiest/Bill Gates&39 Net Worth Drops – IT Channel – IT Channel News by CRN …He certainly won&39t have to [...]
This is why India had been poor!
“impregnated 86 of mistresses….. more than 100 illegitimate children”
this is what mughalization of india did,
kings, princes never came out of their vulgar habits and “ayiyashias”
india was never united in its entire history
all the people of india, when you wake up every morning at least thank THE MAN – THE SARDAR, who unified india
person like Sardar Patel, is born in probably every 1000s of years
hopefully, the coming generations will realize the stupendous contribution of the Sardar to our nation
How did The Nizam collect taxes from penniless poor of his state? Did u think about it bhartiya?
The Nizam empowered them first by providing business and employment. Hyderabad was a great center of trade in the early decades. Nizams built universities, banks, hospitals, reservoirs, train systems and set a world class infrastructure.
Can anyone become the richest in the world by fleecing taxes from Dharawi residents? NO
After reading all the above comments as a Hyderabadi i can say “Neighbour’s Envy…Owner’s Pride”….wateva means he collected wealth its very hard to have even 10 % of it by collecting taxes from poor people…..
Hatred and simply hatred is what I see from Hindus in this forum who envy the wealth of an Indian king even your local VHP,RSS and other Hindu Terrorist group MLA would be a billionaire in India and to assume that the wealth of a DYNASATY ACCUMULATED OVER A PERIOD OF SEVEN TO TEN GENERATION WAS FROM LOOTING PEOPLE then I would think that is libel and wilfull ignorance.
Look at somany of the developmental works done by Nizam, Hospitals, Dams, Roads ,Railways , Airports, Liabraries and many many more all of them use EVEN NOW and the Hindu-Nazi brainwashed characters here who have only way of asserting themselves in their existence and that is spewing anti-Muslim vitriol and calling for genocide as a result of the impunity that revolves around such activity in India.
It wrong to blame the king.. Hyderabad was the best city during his regime.. the present hyderabad uses the same roads and drainage line which was laid for the city with 5 lakhs of population.. currently hyd has a population of over 65 lakhs.. Every king or govt makes money by tax collection only, Nizams policy was different, he collected his money not from the poor but from the rich nawabs who had more wealth than the king.. even today the heirs of nawabs say the same thing…
WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME-In RESEARCH.FROM -MR Michael McMahon. BA.MA
I am trying to research the History of Hyderabad & The Nizam from 1512 to the present day 2008.Including the present situation of The Court Case in London and The (1) One Million deposited in 1947/48-Now valued at (£30) Million pounds –
I think Much more is being Questioned here.
If this case show in favour of The Nizams decendents-(ie)If Mukarram Jah get’s The Money -Not The Indian or Pakistan Governments.
Will this also open up the question of Legitimate Democratic Independence and Rule of Hyderabad /Andra Pradesh today-I would appreciate any help.
Thank you,Mick McMahon.
Mr V.Patel
Do u know what you are writing about.Its about a king…and royal people will have there own charm and dignity…its nothing that the Sardar or a patel did…People just like you try to bring up the people who have surnames matching yours so that the entire community grows.
The Nizams are the people who won a million battles to reach the position what they have attained and break the ass of a simple sardar or a patel is very simple for them.Its just that they did not want to make any fuss about it that they have agreed and made the settlement.I would say that the Sardar Patel was a sick ass because Hyderbad could have been a lot better if the Nizams were still there.Only on there charity the Indian Government led by a Sardar swallowed the entire money which they got out of the auction of Nizams Jewellery and you say Sardar did a good job….brainless bugger
Persons like those should never born again.
It is sad that people who migrated from uncivilised parts of India should have such hatred for a dynasty which was loved and liked equally both by Muslims and Hindus, and also Christians of Hyderabad. In fact it is a given fact V. Patel was a biggotand even disliked by Nehru at that time.
hi,
Nizam is best and people are telling waste (gand jalke) bolte yaar bolne de but dunniya mat ti hai ke nizam is best.
WHY dont you ask your officers that do nothing but encourage corruption to do something for the state. The Nizam did a lot.
still there is fighting fr religions in our country…..BASS KAROO YAAR…instead of blamming past HEROES why cant we help for a GOOD cause…
CHECK OUT THIS …..IF POSSIBLE WE LIVING KINGS TRY TO GET SOME INFORMATION ON HYDERABAD ….. JAI HIND
WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME-In RESEARCH.FROM -MR Michael McMahon. BA.MA
I am trying to research the History of Hyderabad & The Nizam from 1512 to the present day 2008.Including the present situation of The Court Case in London and The (1) One Million deposited in 1947/48-Now valued at (£30) Million pounds -
I think Much more is being Questioned here.
If this case show in favour of The Nizams decendents-(ie)If Mukarram Jah get’s The Money -Not The Indian or Pakistan Governments.
Will this also open up the question of Legitimate Democratic Independence and Rule of Hyderabad /Andra Pradesh today-I would appreciate any help.
Thank you,Mick McMahon.
Dear Friends
I agree. If Nizams were in position this days. Deccan (Nizam Empire) will be like UK and Australia.
Infrastructure built 60 Years Back by Nizam Govt still used by Indian Govt.
Hyderabad’is can count them
Universities – Apart from Osmania He also Helped Aligarh Muslim University and Banaras Hindu University. many many other Institutions
Hospital for Poor (Osmania Hospital the first free Hospital for poor in the world by Osman ali pasha 7th Nizam)
Reservoir Hussain Sagar lake (now Indian GOVT make it sewerage tank of the City) Once supply drinking water.
Himmayat Sagar and Gandipet built in 1910 still used by Indian GOVT for the population.
High Court, Assembly of AP. and Hundreds of other Buildings were used and destroyed by GOVT.
Railways and Raod way Infrastructure were used for more thn 50 Years before uprading it
we Can Imagine the vision of Nizams toward Development and peace of his Country.
Nizam’s of course are kings and lived like kings unmatchable
last but not least Hyderabad was only source for Diamonds till Early19th Century where Nizams Ruled.
and the biggest Diamond market in 19th Century. with unmatchable sellers and buyers Like Nizams
Jai Deccan
Sahi bola miya, these non hyderabadi dont ever understand how affectionate v r. Im very proud of the state and also the country but hyderabad is a place where a hindu, muslim christian, sikh all treat themselves as brothers n sisters, arey its in the blood. Hyderabad still owns the kohinoor diamond, whether it b in London or US its our prestige 1 day v will get it back
jai hyderabad
Bharatiya,
Do you ever get to read anything? May be not. You should just read the following as to what one of the many Indian News papers and Indian writers write about HEH the Nizam VII’s daughter-in-laws:
THE TELEGRAPH
CALCUTTA
Monday, February 13, 2006
Goodbye, sweet princess
- India’s great beauties before the pageant came in
G.S. RADHAKRISHNA AND CHANDRIMA S. BHATTACHARYA
Durru Shehvar and Gayatri Devi: Beautiful friends
Hyderabad/Mumbai, Feb. 12: The royal banquet hall was full and the guest of honour, a visiting British dignitary, had arrived. Yet all eyes, desi and firangi, at Falaknuma Palace kept turning to the entrance.
Everyone was waiting for the “world’s most beautiful woman” to walk in.
The cream-coloured Austin rolled in, gleaming in the moonlight. A hush fell on the gathering as she walked up to the host with graceful steps.
With a hand resting on his daughter-in-law’s shoulders, a beaming Mir Osman Ali Khan Mahboob Pasha, Hyderabad’s seventh and last Nizam, turned to his guests and announced, “Permit me to introduce one of my naginas (jewels).”
It was seven decades ago, long before television, beauty pageants and glamour rags had begun their reign over the public imagination, yet Princess Niloufer’s exquisite looks and clothes were a talking point across the country and in the cities of Europe.
Niloufer, the “Kohinoor of Hyderabad”, wasn’t the only “jewel” in the Nizam’s household, though.
Almost equally famous for her beauty was her sister-in-law Princess Durru Shehvar ? daughter of Abdul Majid Khan, Turkey’s last Ottoman king and the last Caliph ? whose death in London on February 7, at the age of 93, brings the curtain down on a glorious chapter of early Indian chic. Niloufer died in Hyderabad about a decade ago.
“If Princess Niloufer was the nagina, Princess Durru was the heera (diamond),” says Deccan historian Rajendra Prasad in his book on Hyderabad.
The sisters-in-law ? they were first cousins by birth — had become bywords for elegance in the West over half a century ago, with both attending fashion shows in Paris and London with the Nizam’s encouragement.
At home, their clothes collections have inspired the attires of Bollywood leading ladies from Waheeda Rehman to Diya Mirza and served as textbooks for later designers.
The princesses were not alone in setting the standards. Mid-20th century India seemed to have a knack of throwing up women who captivated the world’s society columnists and photographers.
Seven years younger than Durru, another royal, Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, was ranked among the planet’s most beautiful women, along with actress Leela Naidu, by Vogue.
Like the Hyderabad princesses, they blended style with substance. Gayatri Devi stood for Parliament, setting a record victory margin in 1962 and winning again in 1967 and 1971. Naidu became a darling of the then fledgling women’s liberation movement in India with her Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke that challenged contemporary Hindi cinema’s concept of the Bhartiya naari.
“Durru Shehvar and Gayatri Devi knew each other very well,” recalls the nonagerian former Nawab of Palanpur, who now lives in Mumbai.
“Durru was very beautiful. She was very tall, a little too tall — she was taller than her husband. Niloufer was more beautiful.”
But apart from their beauty and wardrobe, most of which they later donated to fashion-design schools in Hyderabad, the princesses were known also for their philanthropy.
Niloufer, who divorced Prince Moazzam Jah and left for Turkey, donated her entire meher (dowry) so that a children’s hospital could be built in Hyderabad. Durru’s marriage to Prince Azam Jah, too, ended in divorce.
The princesses’ had been a double wedding, both getting married simultaneously in Nice, France. The Nizam declared a holiday in Hyderabad and newspapers printed special editions.
“Although the marriages didn’t bring a rich dowry (for the Caliph had already been deposed), they earned the Nizam a diplomatic alliance with the Turkish aristocracy,” a city historian said.
The Nizam encouraged both princesses to take part in sports, such as tennis and horse-riding. He sent them on tours of Europe so they could broaden their mind and also pick up works of art for his museums.
“Princess Niloufer was one of the better educated” among the Nizam’s family, said Begum Bilkis Alladin, an authority on the Nizam’s art collections, in a recent article. “She was also a good sportswoman, skilled in tennis and handball.”
The Nizam threw lavish parties where he showed off his daughters-in-law, recalled 75-year-old Nawab Mujib Ali Yavar Jung, a former official at his court. “Princess Niloufer dazzled in them and was the most sought after.”
The princesses were visible in the Bombay party circuit, too, though they apparently did not dance. In keeping with the Nizam’s status, they kept their distance, projecting an alluring mix of oriental tradition and western freedom.
As news of Durru’s death reached Hyderabad, contemporaries recalled her strength of mind and management skills.
“She was a true aristocrat who brooked no interference in the way she brought up her sons,” said Begum Bilkis Lateef, who helped Durru with her philanthropic projects.
She ran the household in her palace when the other women of the family dared not venture into the men’s domain.
Even after her divorce she lived for many years in Hyderabad, but with increasing age, shifted to London a few years ago. She last visited Hyderabad in 2004. When the end came on Tuesday, her sons Mukkaram and Muffakham Jah were at her bedside.
can u provide me Mr. McMahon I think I can help him out.
Patel was the greatest leader India had and one of the greatest the world has ever seen. Had it not been for his efforts there would have bee 500 little Indias . What the Indian Government did to the Nizam and to the other kings was perfect in all its sense. We were in the process of building a nation , letting people like Nizam rule a part of it would have been foolish. The Nizam was having connections with Pakistan and kept changing his statements. He was ruling a part of India and not a separate country. Today such actions will be considered treason. After his defeat , the Nizam was treated well – why does everyone forget this ?
salaam alaikum hyderabad….Really Hyderabad is a place where u can find lot of monuments.which was built by.?
so think about it there is lot of contribution from muslims….please remove hatred and jelousy non muslims….
Sardar
Wake-up man. Where did you get all these stories of that Sardar Patel – one of the biggest bigot in Indian History. May be they taught this in your school in one of the history books that were concocted by his kind. May be you should talk about Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, Abdul Kalam Azad, Zafar Shah and others who were the true freedom fighters. Not opportunistics like Patel. Go figure out where Patel and J.N. Chowdry obtained their wealth after independence, which their descendents inherited. Where was he before Gandhi had to migrate from S. Africa to India and start this independence movement?
Please do not speak evil of the Rajas and Maharajas of India and try to re-write the true history. Great people remain great in history and envy in the minds of “have nots” will always poison their souls. Smile, always talk good. Then, can you?
You know all the outsiders (villagers) coming to Hyderabad Deccan and spoiling its beauty. They don’t have a clue of Nizam’s Kingdom. I don’t even consider a word from those illiterate villagers. This “City of Hyderabad” has been designed to accommodate Hyderabadis and population of Hyderabad. There is no place for those illiterate villagers that rushing towards Hyderabad to settledown and embrace Hyderabad City life. Go back to your village you illiterates and stay their you filthy souls.
Hello there
Let me tell you that It’s not the outsider or nearby villagers coming in to Hyderabad City, on the contrary the city limits are spreading on the out skirts and making it a Mega City due to this problem those peace loving villagers are forced to come in the crowded city. Because of IT and major developments projects coming in to the state the city limits is expanded and IT and other industrialist increasing the land Value.
IT is not going to grow the rice and vegetables and solve the food problem, From where we will get these stuff. Due to sudden drop in the American Financial market all the IT professionals are affected. IT can be used as a very good tool for the development, On the other hand even the Farmer’s son tries to become an IT professional the who will grow the crops. This point is to be highlighted. In Hyderabad every second person is an IT professional . India is considered as an agricultural country there is nothing wrong in diversifying and exploring new jobs but switching it to totally IT is not worth. Hyderabad (AP) is considered to be rice bowl of India if you change it to IT bowl we will definitely face problems.
Dear Readers
I endorse the point that India had to be united and Sardar Patel did in his official capacity what he did. It was the demand of the time, which was met by ‘Operation Polo’. I really do not understand why we have to vilify Nizam and Patel both.
Nizams were revered rulers of Hyderabad who did a whole lot of good for the betterment of their kingdom which their contemporaries were unable to achieve. True they had money but not by fleecing the poorer sections of the society as it is made out in some of the above pieces I read. They made Hyderabad a hub of trade and commerce and were far ahead of their time in initiating projects for the welfare of their subjects.
Hindus and muslims had equal opportunities in the state as is evident from the recorded history, both communities held high positions and enjoyed the confidence of the ruler. Fleecing for taxes from poor seems a far fetched theory which will not cut ice for the simple reason how will the poor pay taxes when they did not have the money to pay for their upkeep, let alone taxes.
My forefathers have served the Nizams and notable among them was ‘Hosh Bilgrami’ his account of the life under Nizam’s under Hyderabad was an era of plenty where even poorer sections of society wore heavy gold, city was spruced up regularly and cleaned daily. See the monuments and projects completed in the time of Nizams which stand as a testimony to their achievements for the state and its people.
Now Sardar Patel was a visionary and indeed was an iron man of India. Let’s look at this point from a simple viewpoint. Nizam was the ruler of princely state of Hyderabad while Patel was part of the ruling clique of the country who had just attained independence. Both did their own job. Be it sangh parivar or a muslim potentate, the basic need to preserve what is yours is very inherent and Nizam tried to keep Hyderabad as an independent state while Patel’s job was to unify India.
Patel tried every trick in the book and then in Nehru’s absence launched Operation Polo while Nizam strategically failed to garner material and men support in time. The ill equipped army with non regulars razakars was never any match for the trained army of the younf Indian nation and he lost and was forced sign in favour of joining the Indian union. Politically he lost on the chessboard of politics while like every other human being before and after him he tried to defend and keep what was his by right. I do not see any treason in this. How will i react if the Indian government for any reason wants to take away my house from me and asks me to vacate it. I will protest and do all in my power to keep my house.
At the end neither Nizam was wrong in defending his kingdom which he felt and saw as unjustified acts of Indian government and nor was Patel wrong in doing what he did. He acted in line with the vision of unifying India. I will call the last Nizam a visionary and a ruler who ruled the hearts of his subjects and Patel also a visionary who united India which none of his contemporaries would have ever been able to achieve in that time.
The difference is onle lost and the other won. Game, set and point.
I agree with Mr above ie Mr Mansoor Abidi wholeheartedly. The Nizams did all, any human can under the stress of feeding and maintianing+developing one whole kingdom and still not losing his/her/their sanity. More over the Nizams were very respected people. I do not know a hyderabadi who will speak against Nizam rule…The unity among all the citizens of Hyderabad can very well be set as an example for the whole world to follow.
P.S. Please count out the disunity the politicians of today are causing….I so hate the separate Telangana issue.
While Sardar Patel, a very great Indian sought to have a stronger India.
Its just like defending yourself. Like if I barge into your life and claim all you own as mine, you would defenitely put up a fight. Thats all Nizam did. He wasnt against a better India. He was just fighting for a better Deccan. And Patel was doing the very same for India.
I am Proud to be an Indian. And I am proud to be a Hyderabadi….coz maybe being a Hyderabadi infuses a sense of royality. Sorry. But that doesnt mean others r scum. Anyway U’ll feel the Royality flow through you even if u jus walk the palaces built by them. I guess its common.
Dear Sarah
Thanks for seconding my thoughts on this subject. It is just the humane way of looking at an issue which has been festering like a sore for over 60 years now. The ghost of it has to be laid to rest.
Had it not been for Patel, we would not have seen a united India and we would be always thankful to the Nizams for what they did it in putting it on the world map. Besides being personally the richest man of his times, he was also instrumental in putting the culture, gastronomy and deccani traditions to the fore. By forging a marriage alliance with the deposed caliph of muslims and sultan of Turkey’s daughters, he managed to become one of the foremost ruling muslim potentates in Islamic world. Ironically the ‘Khilafat movement’ which was supported by Gandhiji and Congress was all about bringing the caliph back to power (where royalist and democrats) came together for the only time on a common platform.
We tend to see everything in black and white which has so many other shades to it.
Thanks again Sara. Keep writing.
Warm regards,
Mansoor
Hyderabad was a part of India, will always be part of India and shall always eternally be part of India both geographically and politically. All my brothers and sisters who posted their responses in this blog please learn some bit of history before making outrageous comments that Muslims were the only rulers of Hyderabad. We have had Satavahans, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas.
Regards,
F. Haber
P.S: I am one of them who always will oppose religious fundamentalists. I am a Indian citizen, and a Hyderabadi.
plz
don’t blame to the past legend
act like a good INDIAN
and afterall we all are INDIAN
JAI HIND
I am proud to be a Hyderabadi and I think what Nizam did in his time no body can do it it in million years. Look at today’s politician all they are doing is filling there pockets do you think they are thinking about there people NO:(
So we have to be greatful to Nizam for what he did and we are still using the same facility nothing new was added since.
I am astounded at the bitterness and hatred that has been posted here. I found this site by accident as I was trying to research who H.E.H. the Nizam of Hyderabad was. I collect military badges and have a number with his name on them, Artillery, Medical Services, Electrical Engineers, Pioneers etc. etc.. I would still like to find out more but where can I search without finding so much bitterness? I was impressed with the moderate voice of the last post, I hope Sarah Khan will write more.
Hi ,
I collect militaria on hyderabad army .
Need info , contact rjaffkhan@yahoo.co.in
Aadab arz hai,
Thanks David for supporting my comment. I want to shair this with all Hyderabadis that when they made New International Airport instead of naming after Rajiv Gandhi Int’l Airport, I was hoping they would name after Nizam as Osmania hospital, or Osmania University they should have named it after Nizam as they did somuch for Hyderabaies.
it would have been a tribute to them.
Dear All
Nothing more about the nizam just i want to know the present status of nizam of hyderabad.Will he is able to stand apart from the crowd which is now said to be developed & accomplished ?
Wish you all Hyderabadies a very Happy New Year “2009″
“Here’s to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old; here’s to the things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold.”
Antulay has said it right. Modi is behind these attacks. He has betrayed our nation. When Hemant Karkare’s finger was about to turn to MODI, he has rented Pakistan terrorists to kill Karkare. People of India should not forgive Modi and BJP.
[...] had dinner at a Chowmahalla Palace, the former residence of the Nizam family, who are fifth on the Forbes list of ‘all time wealthiest’ and were certainly the most wealthy in the world when construction began in the 18th century. They [...]
I READ ALL THE COMMENTS POSTED ABOVE. DO U GUYS REALY CARE ABOUT SARDAR PATEL, NEHRU ETC WITH DUE RESPECT TO ALL OF THEM. AS FOR THE NIZAM’S,OR THE RULERS IN RAJASTHAN AND ELSEWHERE, WELL I GUESS AFTER READING THE PSYCHOLOGIES HERE, IT WOULDNT TAKE MORE THAN 20 YEARS WHEN WE AGAIN HAVE ATLEAST 20 PARTS OF THIS COUNTRY.
THING IS, WHO GIVES A DAMN ABOUT A NATION WHERE YOU WERE BORN.
AND YES YOU CAN TURN AND SAY”DOES THE NATION GIVES A DAMN ABOUT US”
I WISH WE WERE STILL BEING RULED BY THE BRITS, THINK WE ARE AT OUR BEST BEHAVIOUR WHEN WE ARE BEING RULED
Just a Correction (There has been rumors ciculating that Nizam Saved Bankrupt Pakistan in 1948) THe facts are: The 20 Crore sent to pakistan was sent pre-partition and was turned over to the Hyderabadi trust in the 50’s to help newly arriving hyderabadis get settled. The trustees were Liaqat Ali Khan and Chair of the Trust was Mir Laik Ali Khan. The 1948 Check sent to Pakistan when India delayed Pakistani’s share of the treasury was never cashed as the Nizam told the Winchester Bank of London that his Finance Minister transfered the moneys without his knowledge. The check was originally for 1 million pounds and not 40 million Pounds and the Nizams Family and Pakistan both has claims to it. as it is still not clear what was the reason for that check. According to times of India it could be for Nizams own use or to buy Rifles or to lobby for Independent Hyderabad or for Pakistan. Anyways in 1948 India finally released the 75 crore owed to Pakistan and there was no financial crisis in 1948. As backup the Habib family of Pakistan had given a check of 15 Crore and Adamjees of Pakistan gave a blank check to Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
From Hyderabad,
salam i m citizen of hyderabad i m a student, nizam’s name one of the popular name in our hyderabad, frm childhood i m lesining name NIzam, stright to the ponit i want to start my own business but i didnt have any money, & loan base cant affortable, as a member of an hyderabad i can trust the nizam’s sarkar, can help me plz relpy for me thank u
In response to David Jay’s post – clearly there is a lot of bitterness driven primarily by ignorance. Having said that, Hyderabad, and its past, is a very emotive issue (much like many others in India). The annexation of Hyderabad by military action in 1948 was swift and efficient. The Nizam’s troops led by General Aidroos, who in fact expressed his grave concerns and minced no words in saying how foolhardy it would be to put up a fight against the invading Indian Army, was ill-equipped to say the least. The militant ‘Razakars’, with their batons, swords, and ancient guns too were in no condition to put up a resistance. One must understand the difficult history here – there was a legitimate question of the choice the Nizam had, guarenteed through historic treatises with the Crown, and the Standstill Agreement signed with the newly formed Indian Union, in accession to India. Mountbatten, his skill being apparently his charm and his relationship with princely rulers, was tactically placed to persuade all princely rulers to accede. As a matter of principal, the Standstill Agreement that the Nizam signed allowed him time to think things over and decide independently of what course of action to take. This included, if he so desired, in principal, to remain independent and not accede to the Union. But that was only on paper, in reality, there was no way he would’ve been allowed to choose independence. The Communist movement supported a seperate, independent Hyderabad, the Indian National Congress of course would not tolerate that, and the Nizam himself, torn between different possible destinies & choices, found himself increasingly cornered. It is in hindsight that one might think it would’ve served him better, and the citizens, to negotiate a relatively advantageous accession.
What ensued was violence. Disproportionate violence by the invading Indian Army as documented by the Sundarlal Report in 1949. Prime Minister Nehru had instituted this commission to specifically investigate reports of excessive violence, looting, rape, pillaging against muslims by the Indian Army. Subsequently, over a 100,000 people were incarcerated and charged with civil & criminal crimes. The obvious question was why were they not considered & treated as POW’s? After all, it was a war, an independent state was being invaded by an army?
The point here is that the Nizam’s legal & historic position was very tenable. It was a benign autocrazy wherein people were free to practice their religion & seek fortune. There is extensive documentation of the pluralism & prosperity under the reign of Mahboob Ali Pasha, Nizam the VIIth. There of course is the question of how politically tenable this position would be once the British, under whose control Hyderabad actually was, left India?
People take great pride in being Hyderabadi. What that has come to mean has changed over time. The distinctness of language, culture, manners, cuisine, etc made the province a special place.
Again, one must understand that the last Nizam’s legal position, while impractical and unrealistic, was still legal and it was systematically undermined and sabotaged by political powers outside of the state. And some within the state. It’s a difficult & tricky history and one must understand it to be able to understand why it means so much to Hyderabadis.
The state largest school HPS nizam gave them qairaat to the people and he made roads which is used till yet and dams like osman himayat sagr aand the markets . Hyd was the only state which had army,hospitals, train stations, Airport, and universities..these idiots dont know about hyderabad and jealous of it..just ask the old people here who has seen the rule of nizam ..how was the justice made just ask the old people anywhere in the city ..they will tell.
what are the current NETAS doing …….
These are the most ridiculous comments I had ever heard. You guys are idolizing a characterless ruler.
These nizams have many wifes, concubines and produced many sons and daughters like cars from a car factory. I don’t know why you people are prising him.
His wealth doesn’t reflect the prosperity and happiness of people of nizam state. That doesn’t tell the purchasing power of the nizam people. In fact after knowing at least about the prosperity of United states, they might have developed a democratic state,because they ruled for many decades.
Rajesh
Rajesh u must know India and hyderabad to comment on this issue, Praise which ever leader/king has done a good job for his people should be recognized, every man from king to rickshaw puller in India has one wife and many girl friends or wives, it doesn’t degrades him, coming to Nizams of Hyderabad, the First ruler in the world to get Roll Royce Cars to be city garbage pickers, ever heard any city in the world where rolls royce cars were used to pick up grabage, first man to own airport and airways Deccan airport and airways, this man the last Nizam of Hyderabad thought about the future of his people and build universities, hospitals, Legislature building, secraitait building. this govt or the other govts which are/were in power could built a place for themselves but are using what this man has built, all said and done the govt whoever were ruling after the Nizams couldn’t do anything better for the people what Nizams have done during those days without technology.
I AM PROUD TO BE AN HYDERABADI
hi, im SAYEED BIN ABOOD BIN MUJAIDE one of the resident of hyderabad, barkas is the place where i live.
Nizams were revered rulers of Hyderabad who did a whole lot of good for the betterment of their kingdom which their contemporaries were unable to achieve. True they had money but not by fleecing the poorer sections of the society as it is made out in some of the above pieces I read. They made Hyderabad a hub of trade and commerce and were far ahead of their time in initiating projects for the welfare of their subjects.
Hindus and muslims had equal opportunities in the state as is evident from the recorded history, both communities held high positions and enjoyed the confidence of the ruler. Fleecing for taxes from poor seems a far fetched theory which will not cut ice for the simple reason how will the poor pay taxes when they did not have the money to pay for their upkeep, let alone taxes.
My forefathers have served the Nizams and notable among them was ‘Hosh Bilgrami’ his account of the life under Nizam’s under Hyderabad was an era of plenty where even poorer sections of society wore heavy gold, city was spruced up regularly and cleaned daily. See the monuments and projects completed in the time of Nizams which stand as a testimony to their achievements for the state and its people.
Now Sardar Patel was a visionary and indeed was an iron man of India. Let’s look at this point from a simple viewpoint. Nizam was the ruler of princely state of Hyderabad while Patel was part of the ruling clique of the country who had just attained independence. Both did their own job. Be it sangh parivar or a muslim potentate, the basic need to preserve what is yours is very inherent and Nizam tried to keep Hyderabad as an independent state while Patel’s job was to unify India.
Patel tried every trick in the book and then in Nehru’s absence launched Operation Polo while Nizam strategically failed to garner material and men support in time. The ill equipped army with non regulars razakars was never any match for the trained army of the younf Indian nation and he lost and was forced sign in favour of joining the Indian union. Politically he lost on the chessboard of politics while like every other human being before and after him he tried to defend and keep what was his by right. I do not see any treason in this. How will i react if the Indian government for any reason wants to take away my house from me and asks me to vacate it. I will protest and do all in my power to keep my house.
At the end neither Nizam was wrong in defending his kingdom which he felt and saw as unjustified acts of Indian government and nor was Patel wrong in doing what he did. He acted in line with the vision of unifying India. I will call the last Nizam a visionary and a ruler who ruled the hearts of his subjects and Patel also a visionary who united India which none of his contemporaries would have ever been able to achieve in that time.
Sayeedsaab, I agree with your take on the issue. It is fair and balanced. Are you a Hadraami Arab? I’m also originally from Hyderabad and have been researching the Hadraami migrants in Hyderabad for some time now and have also made a few trips to Barkas. If so I would very much like to talk to you and would be most appreciative if you could provide me with your contact details. Thank you again for your balanced views on the subject.
Ever heard of the razakar movement in the Nizam state. if not, i suggest that you read about it. He might have been considerate to certain sections of people but NOT to every body.
Ever heard of the Hindu Mahasabha, the Arya Samaj, and what the likes of Swami Ramanand Tirtha of the State Congress did in the name of Satyagraha? The Razakars were foolish and misguided, and committed atrocities. How about the atrocities committed by the Hindu communal forces? Have you any idea what else transpired? Have you heard about the Sundarlal Report of 1949 detailing the widespread brutality against Muslims in the aftermath of the so called ‘Police Action’? Do you know what the invading Indian Army did in the Nizam’s Dominions during the military action against an independant State? I suggest you read up on what else happened, what your school history text books did not tell you, so that you get a better understanding of the different forces at play.
Being a Hyderabadi myself – I heard a lot about Mir Osman Ali Khan from my elders who had first hand knowledge of what they were talking about. One of the stories which I heard and still remember is that – he Mir Osman ali Khan donated (for the sake of Allah) Rs 100,000 ( in gold ashrafis) for Jama Masjid in Delhi and later in the day asked one of his Khadim to get him a Blanket (one of the cheapest one) for self.
He was a God fearing man who did not spend much on himself but did what he can for Allah’s sake.
As mentioned by many others the High court, Osmania hospital, Osmania University, Legislative assembly building, Secretariat, Nagarjuna sagar dam (started during his period) etc etc are standing proof of his doings for the welfare of his people. There was a plan to connect Kachiguda railway station to Nampally station by a single road and also Secunderabad station to Charminar – If one sees – you can see a straight road from Kachiguda station all the way up to Abids via Badi Chawdi.
Hyderabad was the only Riyasat which had its own Postal System, own Currency, own railways, own Civil service and even Traffic lights.
Many notable people flocked to Hyderabad to make a living here – Moulvi Abdul Haq, Mohammad Pickthal which I remember as of now..
I also heard during Police action atrocities committed by the Indian army in Osmanabad, Humnabad and surrounding areas where common folks were massacred – and wells were filled up by corpses in many of the villages.
And as to what Hyderabad or Nizam did for Pakistan –
Nizam himself forward funds at the time of inception of Pakistan – Rs 20 crores to help pay for the salaries and other expenses of the public servants there. (India did not part with the money which was promised to Pakistan at the time of partition). Educators of Osmania University left for Pakistan to help make the Government of Pakistan, build universities ( Text books which made the curriculum of Karachi University were of Osmania University). In the begning all the leading Doctors of Karachi were from Hyderabad. People from Deccan airways helped form Pakistan international airlines PIA – Deccan Airways uniforms were copied (shalwar/ kamiz) for PIA stewardess.
Osmania University graduates started the Industrial exhibition there. The list goes on and on….
(Read Karen Leonard book ‘ Locating Home’ on Hyderabadi’s to get more clear picture).
Nizams were the great wise rulers, Nizams were the peace lovers, in fact they were (are) very noble. Check our roots, where we are inheriting from The First Caliphate Of Islam ‘Syedna Abu Bakr Siddique’ (R/A).
The peace loving land Hyderabad has witnessed a massacre, Operation POLO, which is a thick black dot on its passage, i.e, unforgettable.
This land has never thought that it would get hatred in exchange of love, peace & friendship. The country and its rulers never made a fraction of difference between Muslims & non-muslims, Hindu institutions, or Islamic institutions, Gurudwaras, temples or Masjid, yet it SUFFERED. And suffered and suffered in the hands of merciless KILLLERS and PATHOGENS.
May Allah guide us all, Aameen
I love Hyderabad.
The wealth made in India , must stay in India and belongs to the Indian people, the palace that is being restored should be turned into a historical museum – open to the public.