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The
Asaf Jahis Dynasty
Nizam-ul-Mulk
Asif Jah I (1724-1748):
In 1724 Nizam-ul-Mulk Asif Jah I founded the Asif Jahi
Dynasty and seven generations of the family ruled the Deccan for 224
years up to 1948. During this period several buildings of
archaeological and public importance were built. Notable among them
are: Purani Haveli, Chow Mahalla Palace, Osmania University, Jubilee
Hall, Assembly Building, Asifia Library, Osmania Hospital, High Court,
and all the buildings in the Public Garden
The origins of the Asif Jahi dynasty can be traced to Chin Qalich Khan
who was the grandfather of the first Nizam and the commander of the
Mughal army during Aurangzeb's reign. Chin Qalich Khan led the attack
of the Mughal army into the Deccan under his Emperor's ambitious plans
of expanding the Mughal Empire. During Aurangzeb's last siege of
Golconda in 1687, Chin Qalich Khan was wounded. He died in Atapur
village near Himayath Sagar. Chin Qalich Khan's son, Nawab Ghaziuddin
Khan, married the daughter of Sadullah Khan, Prime Minister of
Aurangzeb.
A son was born, and the Emperor named him Mir Qumaruddin. At the age
of six, Mir Qumaruddin accompanied his father to the Mughal court.
Aurangzeb awarded him a mansab, and said to his father, "The star
of destiny shines on the forehead of your son". Mir Qumaruddin
displayed considerable skill as a warrior and at the age of nineteen,
the Emperor bestowed on him the title "Chin Fateh Khan". At
26, he was appointed Commander in Chief and Viceroy, first at Bijapur,
then Malwa and later of the Deccan. Subsequently, the Mughal Empire
declined.
There was much confusion after the death of Aurangzeb, and Mir
Qumaruddin established his position as Viceroy. Farukh Siar who was
the Mughal Emperor for a brief tenure conferred on Mir Qumaruddin the
title Nizam-ul-mulk Fateh Jung. He thus became the first Nizam. A
subsequent Emperor, Muhammad Shah bestowed on him the title Asif Jah.
The dynasty of the Nizams of Hyderabad thus came to be known as the
Asif Jahi Dynasty.
Unrest and claims to the throne continued after the death of Aurangzeb,
and amidst the general confusion, Asif Jah had little difficulty in
asserting his independence from the weak occupants of the Delhi
throne. At that time, Asif Jah was the Sudedar of Malwa. However, his
independence was the cause of much jealousy, and the Delhi court
secretly instructed Mubrez Khan, the Subedar of the Deccan, to oppose
him.
A battle was fought at Shakar-Khelda in the district of Berar in 1724,
where Mubrez Khan was defeated and killed. This battle established
Asif Jah's supremacy in the Deccan. After gaining independence, Asif
Jah came to be known as Nizam-ul-Mulk. He first set up his capital at
Auragabad but later moved to Hyderabad, which became the capital of
the Asif Jahi dynasty.
Nizam-ul-Mulk's greatest achievement was the foundation of the
Hyderabad Dominion. He attained his object by waging a struggle
against the Marattas and by the policy of non-involvement in the
rivalry for power between the British and the French. His policy has
been justified by later events as Hyderabad State survived right
through the period of British rule up to the time of Indian
independence.
Asif Jahi ruled wisely and established an independent state in the
Deccan. He was one of the ablest statesmen. However, his death at
Burhanpur on May 21, 1748 at the age of 78, was followed by a struggle
for the throne. By this time, foreign powers were spreading their
tentacles.
The British supported Asif Jah's second son Nasir Jung whereas the
French supported Muzafar Jung, grandson of Asif Jah. Nasir Jung
succeeded; but after a brief rule he was slain in 1750 in an encounter
with the French troops at Arcot. Thereupon, Muzafar Jung ascended the
throne. In the following year he was murdered and his son Salabath
Jung was put on the throne.
Nizam Ali Khan ASAF JAH II
(1762-1803):
In 1762, Salabeth Jung was dethroned by his brother Nizam Ali Khan,
and confined at Bidar where he died in 1793. Hence, Nasir Jung,
Muzafar Jung and Salabath Jung, who were contestants for the
sovereignty of the Deccan for 13 years, have not been historically
recognised as reigning Nizams. If they had been, Nizam Ali Khan would
have been known as the fifth Nizam and not the second.
Nizam Ali Khan ascended the throne in 1763 and he ruled Hyderabad for
almost 40 years This was one of the eventful periods in the history of
India. Foremost among the competitors for supremacy in the Deccan were
the Marathas and it was during this period that Nizam Ali Khan
employed the famous French adventurer Monsieur Raymond. Nizam Ali Khan
died in August 1803 at the age of 72 years after a long and strenuous
reign.
Sikandar Jah ASAF JAH III
(1803-1829):
The succession of Sikandar Jah as Nizam was undisputed and he
appointed Mir Alam as his Prime Minister. With the throne passing to
Sikander Jah, and end of war with the Marathas, there began an
entirely new era for Hyderabad. Unfortunately in 1808, the able
Minister Mir Alam died and it was he who was responsible for
maintaining good relations with the British. In 1809, Mir Alam's son
Munir-ul-Mulk was appointed as Minister. Sikander Jah died in May 1829
at the age of 62 after reigning for almost 26 years. Secunderabad was
named after him
Nasir-ud-Daula ASAF JAH IV
(1829-1857):
Sikander Jah was succeeded by his eldest son Nasir-ud-Daula. It was
during his reign that Salar Jung was appointed as the Minister in
1853. Salar Jung guided the affairs of the Deccan with great wisdom
and introduced several reforms to improve the finances of the
Dominion.
On May 17, 1857 Nasir-ud-Daula died and his son Afzal-ud-Daula became
the fifth Nizam. This was the first time the first war of Indian
Independence was fought in the North and there was general disorder in
the Deccan.
After a reign of 12 years, Afzal-ud-Daula died on February 26, 1869 at
the age of 43 years, leaving behind the infant prince Mir Mahboob Ali
Khan, who was hardly three years old.
AFZAL-UD-DAULA-ASAF JAH V
(1857-1869)
Mir Tahniath Ali Khan Afzal-ud-Daula was born on October 11, 1827.
He was the eldest son of Nawab Nasir-ud-Daula. He ascended the throne
on May 18, 1857 and the great Indian Mutiny (First war of
Independence) was started on July 17, 1857. On January 27, 1858, Sir
John Lawrence, the Chief Commissioner of Punjab, ordered an enquiry
against Bahadur Shah Zafar and with the help of false witnesses exiled
him to Rangoon.
1857 was an important year as the Mughal dynasty vanished and the
Nizam ceased to be a Mughal Subedar. On August 31, 1861 the order of
the Star of India was conferred on Nawab Afzal-ud-Daula. The dominion
was divided into five subas and 16 districts. A subedar headed each
suba and each district was placed under a Taluqdar. During the reign
of Nawab Afzal-ud-Daula, the reforms carried out by Sir Salar Jung
included the establishment of a Government central treasury in 1855.
Afzal-ud-Daula died at the age of 42 years on February 26, 1869, after
reigning for 12 years
MIR MAHBOOB ALI KHAN - ASAF JAH
VI (1869-1911)
Mir Mahboob Ali Khan was born on August 17, 1866. He was
the only son of Nawab Afzal-Ud-Daula. Nawab Mir Mahboob Ali Khan along
with Sir Salar Jung and other nobles went to Delhi on January 1, 1877
on proclamation day. After the death of Sir Salar Jung on February 8,
1883 a provisional council of Regency consisting of five members, was
appointed for administrative purposes.
On October 31, 1883, Mir Laiq Ali Khan was bestowed with the title of
"Salar Jung II" and "Muniruddaula" and on February
5, 1884, he was appointed Prime Minister. Mir Laiq Ali Khan Salar Jung
II endeavoured to continue the reforms started by his father. In April
1887, he resigned due to court intrigues and internal politics and the
Nizam took over the administration of the dominion. At the end of
1901, Sir Viqar-Ul-Umara fell ill and died in 1902
On November 5, 1902, an agreement was signed by the Nizam's
government, assigning Berar districts to the British on lease for Rs
25 lakh a year. "In the Nizam's dominion, medical treatment and
medical education reached a high standard of excellence. Here was held
the famous Chloroform Commission which was due to the liberality and
scientific interest of the Nizam and the energy and enthusiasm of Dr
Lawrie, the Presidency surgeon", the British Medical Journal of
1895 said.
In 1893 Mahboob Ali Khan announced a major reform in the constitution
of the government through an edict called "Qanunche Mubarick".
On May 5, 1905, Victoria Memorial Orphanage was established in memory
of Queen Victoria. In 1878, Madrasa-I-Aliya was founded and in 1908,
the Mahboobia Girls' school was set up. On September 28, 1908,
Hyderabad witnessed disastrous floods of the River Musi, flowing
through the city. On February 5, 1885, Her Majesty the Queen Empress
conferred upon his highness the honour of grand commander of the Star
of India. His highness had a sudden stroke of paralysis and succumbed
to it the same day at Falaknuma Palace on August 29, 1911, at the age
of 46 years.
Mir Osman Ali Khan - ASAF JAH
VII (1911-1948):
Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh and the last Nizam of Hyderabad ruled
for 37 years (1911 - 1948). His Dominion was lager than England and
Scotland put together, with an area of 86,000 Sq. miles.
The seventh Nizam led a very simple life, yet he was one of the
richest men in the world. He donated generously to every cause in
India as well as abroad, irrespective of caste and religion. If it was
the Muslim theological school at Deoband, which received financial
help, it was also the privilege of the Benaras Hindu University. His
list of donations included Rabindranth Tagore's Shantiniketan and
several other institutions including hospitals and schools. The Golden
Temple in Amritsar also enjoyed an annual donation.
The Nizam's rule saw the growth of Hyderabad, economically and
culturally. Electricity, railways, roads and airways developed. Huge
reservoirs and irrigation projects such as the Tungabhadra and
Nizamsagar were completed. The early work on Nagarjunasagar was also
taken up. The Osmania University, Colleges and Schools were founded
throughout the state. Nearly all the public buildings such as the
Osmania General Hospital, High Court, Central State Library, Assembly
Hall, Jubilee Hall and other buildings in the Public Garden were built
during Osman Ali Khan's reign.
Prince
Mukkaram Jah
The
grandson of the last Nizam Of Hyderabad
How
Hyderabad escaped the fate of Kashmir
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