Nizam Dynasty - Mir Mahboob Ali Khan (6th Nizam)

Nizam Dynasty (నిజాం రాజ్యం)

Source: T-SAT Lecture
Presenter: Bhooshan Govindula
Topic: Modern Telangana - Focus on 6th & 7th Nizams

Mir Mahboob Ali Khan - 6th Nizam (ఆరవ నిజాం)

Key Details

• Full Name: Mir Mahboob Ali Khan (మీర్ మహబూబ్ అలీ ఖాన్).
• He was the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad.
• Son of the 5th Nizam, Afzal-ud-Daula (అఫ్జల్ ఉద్ దౌలా).
• Reign Period: 1869 to 1911.
• Ascended the throne at the very young age of 2.5 years.
• Declared Sultan of Hyderabad at 2.5 years old.
• Took full administrative control at age 18, in the year 1884.
• His formal investiture (taking power) took place on February 5, 1884, at Chowmahalla Palace (చౌమహల్లా ప్యాలెస్).
• Died on August 29, 1911, in Falaknuma Palace.

Understanding the "Nizam" Title

• The title "Nizam" (నిజాం) originated during the Mughal era.
• It originally meant "Deputy" (డిప్యూటీ) and represented a status or rank (హోదా).
• Out of 10 rulers of the dynasty, only 7 officially held the title "Nizam".
• The title was initially held under Mughal authority until the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny.
• After 1857, the British effectively controlled the recognition and status associated with the title.

Regency Council (రాజ ప్రతినిధి సభ)

• Due to his young age at ascension, a Council of Regents was established to manage the state affairs until he reached maturity.
• Key members included:
  • Amir-i-Kabir (అమీర్ ఈ కబీర్)
  • Salar Jung II (రెండవ సాలార్జంగ్) (Son of the famous Salar Jung I)
  • Narendra Bahadur (నరేంద్ర బహదూర్)
• The council guided him until he attained the age of 18.

Education & Influence

• His tutor (శిక్షకుడు) was Mirza Ashabeg (మీర్జా ఆశాబేగ్), the grandson of the famous poet Mirza Ghalib (మీర్జా గాలిబ్).
• The British Viceroy Lord Ripon (లార్డ్ రిప్పన్) attended his investiture ceremony in 1884. This was the first time a Viceroy visited Hyderabad State.
• Lord Ripon, known as the "Father of Local Self-Government in India", likely influenced the Nizam's views on administration and decentralization.

Administrative and Constitutional Reforms

• Established the Council of State (కౌన్సిల్ ఆఫ్ స్టేట్) or Cabinet Council (క్యాబినెట్ కౌన్సిల్) – moving towards structured governance.
• Issued the Qanuncha-i-Mubarak (ఖానున్ చా ముబారక్) in 1892, a decree aimed at constitutional reforms (రాజ్యాంగ సంస్కరణలు).
• This aimed to recognize public participation (ప్రజల భాగస్వామ్యాన్ని గుర్తించింది) in governance and law-making.
• In 1893, a Legislative Council (లెజిస్లేటివ్ కౌన్సిల్) was formed with 19 members, chaired by the Diwan (దివాన్ - Prime Minister).
• In 1905, the Diwan Kishan Pershad divided the state into 4 Subas (నాలుగు సుభాలుగా విభజించాడు) for administrative convenience.
• By 1884, Urdu (ఉర్దూను) was declared the official language (అధికార భాష), replacing Persian (పార్శీ). This happened when Salar Jung II was the Diwan.

Major Events During His Reign

• Chanda Railway Scheme Incident (చందా రైల్వేస్ పథకం) (1883): This event raised political awareness among the people regarding Nizam's agreements potentially compromising state interests.
• Mulki Agitation (ముల్కీ ఉద్యమం) (1888): The movement for the rights of locals (Mulkis) against non-locals in government jobs gained prominence. Nizam issued a Farman (decree) regarding Mulki rules.
• Berar Permanent Lease Agreement (బెరార్ శాశ్వత ఒప్పందం) (1902): Nizam signed an agreement with the British, effectively leasing Berar permanently for an annual payment of 25 lakhs.
• Great Musi Flood (మూసీ నది వరదలు) (September 28, 1908): Devastating floods hit Hyderabad.
• In response to the floods, the Nizam established 11 Langars (లంగర్ - community kitchens) to provide food relief. He sought the expertise of Sir M. Visvesvaraya for flood control measures.

Constructions and Institutions

• Falaknuma Palace (ఫలక్నుమా ప్యాలెస్): Means 'Mirror of the Sky' (ఆకాశ దర్పణం). Built between 1884-1893 by Sir Vicar-ul-Umra. Architecture: Scorpion-shaped, designed by William Ward Marrett in the Andrea Palladio style.
• Bella Vista Palace (బెల్లా విస్టా ప్యాలెస్): Means 'Beautiful View' (అందమైన వీక్షణం). Built by Muslehuddin Muhammad (Chief Justice of Hyderabad High Court). Currently houses the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI).
• Town Hall (టౌన్ హాల్): Foundation laid in 1905 during Nizam's 40th birthday celebrations in Public Gardens. Now the Telangana State Legislative Assembly Building. Architecture: Saracenic and Rajasthani styles.
• Kachiguda Railway Station (కాచిగూడ రైల్వే స్టేషన్): Built in 1916 (foundation likely earlier during 6th Nizam's time). Architecture: Gothic style. Served as the headquarters for Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway (NGSR).
• Victoria Memorial Orphanage (విక్టోరియా మెమోరియల్ అనాధ శరణాలయం): Established in 1905 in Saroornagar (సరూర్ నగర్) in memory of Queen Victoria.
• Educational Institutions Established/Supported:
  • Madrasa-i-Aliya (మదరసా ఈ ఆలియా)
  • Mahboobia Girls' School (మెహబూబియా బాలిక పాఠశాల)
  • Dar-ul-Uloom Oriental College (దారుస్ ఉల్ ఉలుమ్)
  • Mahboobia College (మహబూబియా కళాశాల)
  • Aliya College (ఆలియా కళాశాల)
  • Asafia State Library (అసఫియా స్టేట్ గ్రంధాలయం)
  • Nizam College (నిజాం కాలేజ్) - Established 1887. First Principal: Dr. Aghorenath Chattopadhyay.
• Social/Cultural Institutions Established:
  • Young Men's Improvement Association (యంగ్ మెన్ ఇంప్రూవ్మెంట్ అసోసియేషన్) - Social organization.
  • Theosophical Society Branch (థియోసాఫికల్ సొసైటీ శాఖ) - Established in Chaderghat in 1882.
  • Social Club (సోషల్ క్లబ్) - Established in Chaderghat in 1892 under the chairmanship of Raja Murali Manohar Bahadur.
  • Jamia Observatory (జామియా అబ్జర్వేటరీ) - Established by Nawab Zafar Jung.

Titles (బిరుదులు)

• Little Fellow (లిటిల్ ఫెలో) - Likely due to his young age at ascension.
• Mahboob Ali Pasha (మహబూబ్ ఆలీషా)
• Rang Rangila Raja (రంగ్ రంగీల రాజా) - Signifying his colourful/flamboyant personality or patronage of arts.
• Star of India (స్టార్ ఆఫ్ ఇండియా) - Awarded by the British Government/Queen.