UNIT 10: ASAF JAHIS: POLITY, SOCIETY AND CULTURE
10.1 Introduction & Establishment
Founded by Mir Qamruddin Chin Qillich Khan (titled Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah).
Declared independence from Mughals in 1724, establishing Hyderabad State.
Territory included Telangana, Marathwada, Karnataka regions.
Ruled for 224 years (1724-1948).
Ended with Police Action (Operation Polo); merged into Indian Union on September 17, 1948.
10.2 Political Developments (The Seven Nizams)
1. Nizam-ul-Mulk (Asaf Jah I) - Mir Qamruddin Chin Qillich Khan (1724-1748):
Founder of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.
Original name: Mir Qamruddin Chin Qillich Khan.
Rose through Mughal ranks, served under Aurangzeb; appointed Viceroy of Deccan.
Received titles Nizam-ul-Mulk (from Farrukhsiyar) and Asaf Jah (from Muhammad Shah).
Established virtual independence in 1724.
Faced conflict with Marathas (Peshwa Baji Rao); defeated at Palkhed and Bhopal, forced to grant Chauth and Sardeshmukhi.
Played a key role mediating Nadar Shah's invasion (1738).
Extended Deccan territories significantly (Tapti to Mysore, Karnataka to Tiruchinapally).
Poet, fluent in Persian and Turkish; patronized Urdu scholars.
Died in 1748, leading to a civil war among successors (Nasir Jung, Muzaffar Jung, Salabat Jung - these three ruled briefly 1748-1762 but are not counted among the seven main Nizams). English and French exploited this rivalry (Carnatic Wars).
2. Nizam Ali Khan (Asaf Jah II) (1762-1803):
Fourth son of Nizam-ul-Mulk.
First ruler to officially use the title "Nizam."
Saved the dynasty from internal/external threats and strengthened administration.
Shifted the capital from Aurangabad to Hyderabad (1763) - a major turning point.
Entered alliances with British and French against Marathas and Mysore.
First Indian ruler to sign the Subsidiary Alliance (1798) with the British, losing external autonomy for military protection.
Ceded the 'Ceded Districts' (Kadapa, Kurnool, Bellary, Anantapur) to the British to pay for the subsidiary force.
3. Sikandar Jah (Asaf Jah III) (1803-1829):
Second son of Nizam Ali Khan.
Succession ratified by Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.
Forced by British to participate in the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-1805).
Secunderabad city constructed in his name (1806).
British Resident Henry Russell established the costly 'Russell Brigade' (Hyderabad Contingent), burdening state finances.
Faced severe financial crisis due to military expenses and loans (from Palmer & Co.).
Appointed European officers, increasing their influence in military/finance.
Died May 21, 1829, leaving a financially weak state.
4. Nasir-ud-Daula (Asaf Jah IV) (1829-1857):
Eldest son of Sikandar Jah.
Inherited a financially weak state plagued by natural disasters.
Forced to sign the Treaty of Berar (1853), ceding Berar province and districts (Osmanabad, Raichur) permanently to the British Company to cover debts of the Subsidiary force - major territorial loss.
Appointed Salar Jung I (Mir Turab Ali Khan) as Prime Minister (Diwan) in 1853, initiating the reform era.
Suppressed the Wahabi Movement (involving his brother Mubarizuddaula) with British help.
Made Hyderabad the first princely state to formally ban Sati (1856).
Died in 1857, just as the Revolt began.
5. Afzal-ud-Daula (Asaf Jah V) (1857-1869):
Son of Nasir-ud-Daula. Ascended throne on May 18, 1857.
Served by the efficient Diwan Salar Jung I.
Reign dominated by the 1857 Revolt. Nizam supported the British, and Salar Jung I actively helped suppress the revolt in Hyderabad.
Awarded the title "Grand Commander Star of India" by Queen Victoria (August 31, 1861).
Granted land for the Bombay-Madras Railway line through Raichur Doab.
Salar Jung I's modernization reforms continued, transforming Hyderabad.
Constructed Afzalgunz Mosque and Afzalgunj bridge.
Died young at age 42.
6. Mir Mahaboob Ali Khan (Asaf Jah VI) (1869-1911):
Son of Afzal-ud-Daula. Became Nizam around age 3.
Salar Jung I served as Regent during his minority, continuing extensive reforms.
Learned many languages. Took over administration upon reaching majority.
Reign saw establishment of key educational institutions: Asafia State Library (1891), Madrasa-i-Alia, Nizam College, Mahboobia Girls School, Medical School.
Received the title "Grand Commander Star of India" (1885).
Died relatively young at age 46.
7. Mir Osman Ali Khan (Asaf Jah VII) (1911-1948):
Son of Mahboob Ali Khan. Born April 6, 1886. Ascended throne in 1911.
Last Nizam of Hyderabad.
Scholar in many languages.
Continued modernization, achieving financial stability for the state.
Oversaw rapid industrialization and construction of major landmarks: Osmania University (1918), Osmania Medical College, High Court, Assembly building.
Developed infrastructure: electricity, railways, roads, airways, major irrigation projects.
Established the Hyderabad State Bank (1941) and managed the state's own currency (Osmania Sicca - 100 rupee note introduced 1918).
Decided not to join the Indian Union after independence in 1947.
Rule ended with the Indian Army's Police Action (Operation Polo, initiated by Sardar Patel) in September 1948, leading to the state's merger with India.
10.3 Polity & Administration
Initially autocratic; Nizam's firman was law.
Mughal administrative structure adopted: Subas -> Sarkars -> Paraganas/Mahals -> Deh/Mauza. Jagirs (~30%) often administered semi-independently.
Revenue system involved Zamindars, Jagirdars, Iqtadars, Tahuddars.
Salar Jung I Reforms (Diwan 1853-1883): Introduced Zilbandi System (1865) creating uniform districts; replaced revenue farmers with paid officials; established Ryotwari system in Diwani areas; centralized finances (Hali Sicca, AG office); created functional departments (Police, Judiciary, PWD, Education).
Ministerial Council (Sadar-ul-Mahams) established (1868).
10.4 Social Conditions
Stratified society: Caste (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Sudras), Class (Nobility, Officials, Commoners), Religious (Hindu, Muslim - Shia/Sunni, Afakies/Deccanis), Tribes (Gonds, Koyas, Chenchus etc.).
Major Social Evils:
Vettichakiri: Forced caste-based labor for dominant castes/officials (prevalent in Jagirs & Diwani).
Bhagela: Bonded labor system arising from debt.
Begari: Forced labor in towns.
Child Marriage, Polygamy, Dowry, Purdah (especially Muslims), Devadasi system.
Women's Status: Generally low, confined; improved slightly with education.
10.5 Cultural Conditions
Ganga-Jamuna Tehjeeb: Unique composite culture blending Hindu-Muslim traditions.
Languages: Multi-lingual state (Persian, Urdu/Deccani, Telugu, Marathi, Kannada). Urdu medium in education created disadvantages.
Literacy: Extremely low (State: 4.8%, Telugus: 3.3% initially).
Arts: Patronage of music, dance (Kuchipudi), painting (distinct Deccani style), calligraphy.
Architecture: Fusion of styles (Indo-Islamic, Saracenic, Rajasthani, Mughal, Western). Significant construction under Mir Osman Ali Khan.
UNIT 11: ECONOMIC CONDITIONS UNDER THE ASAFJAHIS
11.2 Agrarian Conditions
Dominant sector (~55% population dependent).
Land Tenure System:
Diwani/Khalsa: (~60%) Government revenue land.
Jagirdari: (~30%) Land grants, often feudal exploitation sites.
Sarf-i-Khas: (~10%) Nizam's personal estates.
Land Issues: Uneconomic holdings, fragmentation, unequal distribution (concentration with large Pattedars), absenteeism, insecurity for tenants (kowls).
Irrigation: Vital due to rainfall dependence.
Sources: Wells, Tanks (extensive network, renovated), Canals/Projects (major development under last two Nizams, key engineer Ali Nawab Jung Bahadur, e.g., Nizamsagar, Wyra, Paler, Osman Sagar, Himayat Sagar).
Utilization remained low due to landlord apathy, maintenance issues, funding constraints.
Agricultural Credit & Indebtedness:
Dominated by moneylenders (professional, cultivating landlords).
Provided >90% credit at exorbitant interest rates (cash & kind). Exploitation included forced sale of produce below market rates.
Led to chronic debt, land alienation (transfers increased significantly, esp. post-WWII), reduced investment. Money Lenders' Act (1940) ineffective.
Crops: Food crops (Jowar, Rice, Bajra) dominated area, but Commercial crops vital (Cotton - esp. Marathwada/North Telangana, Castor, Oilseeds).
11.3 Industrialisation
State played a significant role, especially via Industrial Trust Fund (ITF) established 1929 (initial corpus Rs 1 Cr).
Phases:
1 (1870-1919): Triggered by Salar Jung reforms & railways. Early cotton mills (Hyderabad Deccan Spg & Wvg, Mahboob Shahi, Aurangabad), Singareni coal mining started.
2 (1919-1939): Institutional support (ITF, CID, Ind. Lab). Growth of infrastructure (NSR, Power). Key factories: VST & Charminar cigarettes, Bodhan Sugar Mill (Asia's largest then), DBR Mills (1920).
3 (1939-1948): Major expansion under Osman Ali Khan. Key industries established/expanded: Singareni Collieries Co. (1921), Allwyn Metal Works (1942), Praga Tools (1943), Sirpur Paper Mills (1942 production), Hyderabad Asbestos (1946), Azam Jahi Mills (1934), Vazir Sultan Tobacco Co. (VST - 1930 shift), Deccan Airways (1945).
11.4 Trade
Imports: Salt, sugar, metals, textiles, manufactured goods.
Exports: Cotton (primary), food grains, oilseeds (linseed, castor), hides/skins.
Trade Network: Internal markets (Santalu, Ganjis), major centers (Warangal, Nizamabad). Connected to Bombay, Madras ports for overseas trade.
UNIT 12: MODERNISATION DURING ASAFJAHIS PERIOD
12.1 Introduction
Pre-1853 state financially chaotic. Sir Salar Jung I's appointment marked the start of modernization.
12.2 Modernisation under Salar Jung I (Diwan 1853-1883)
Context: Appointed amidst financial chaos. Supported British in 1857.
Key Reforms:
Financial: Central Treasury, Hali Sicca currency, Budget system, AG Office, Ryotwari in Diwani areas.
Administrative: Zilbandi System (1865); paid officials; Ministerial Depts (Sadar-ul-Mahams, 1868).
Judicial: High Court established, separation of powers initiated.
Police: Mahkam-i-Kotwali (Police Dept) established.
Public Works: PWD established. Forest Dept created.
Education: Introduced modern English education (Darul-ul-Uloom 1855, City High 1870, Engineering School 1870).
12.3 & 12.4 Transport, Communication & Infrastructure (Later Period)
Irrigation: Major projects under Ali Nawab Jung Bahadur.
Railways: Expanded network; became state-owned Nizam's State Railway (NSR).
Roads: Trunk roads built; NSR-Road Transport Department (NSR-RTD) established (1932) - early nationalized bus service.
Airways: Started 1938; Deccan Airways (1945) formed.
Postal/Telegraph/Telephone: Services modernized and expanded (Telegraph 1885).
12.5 & 12.6 Industrialisation & State Bank (Recap)
Summarizes the 3 phases of industrialization driven by state policy (ITF, est. 1929) and the establishment of Hyderabad State Bank (HSB, est. 1941) managing the unique Osmania Sicca currency.
12.7 Educational Changes (1884-1948)
Building on Salar Jung's foundation.
Osmania University (Estd. 1918): Landmark institution under Mir Osman Ali Khan. Unique feature: Urdu medium of instruction. Established Translation Bureau. Led to growth of affiliated colleges but disadvantaged non-Urdu speakers.
Nizam College (1887) established.
Growth of other schools and colleges, but higher education concentrated in Hyderabad city.
12.8 Administrative Reforms (1884-1948)
Separation of Judiciary/Executive (1921): Important step.
Local Self-Government:
Municipal administration evolved in Hyderabad city.
Rural Local Boards Act (Dastur-ul-Amal, 1888/89): Created 3-tier boards.
Village Panchayats Act (1942): Established nominated Panchayats.
12.8.2 Historical Monuments & Urban Development
Mir Osman Ali Khan's era: Significant architectural development (Osmania Uni, High Court, Assembly, hospitals, palaces). Blend of styles.
City Improvement Board: Established for planned urban development in Hyderabad.
12.9 Summary & Overall Significance
The Asaf Jahi period saw Hyderabad evolve from a Mughal successor state into a major princely state under British paramountcy.
Significant modernization occurred, particularly under Salar Jung I (administration, finance, initial education/infrastructure) and the last two Nizams, Mir Mahaboob Ali Khan and Mir Osman Ali Khan (industry, higher education, major infrastructure, banking).
Key events shaping the state: Subsidiary Alliance (1798), Treaty of Berar (1853), support for British in 1857 Revolt, extensive reforms, industrial growth, and finally, the Police Action (1948).
Persistent challenges included financial difficulties (early period), loss of sovereignty, vast social inequalities (feudal exploitation via Vetti, Bhagela), land concentration, and linguistic tensions due to state policies.
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