Nizam Dynasty: Mir Osman Ali Khan (7th Nizam)

Modern Telangana: Nizam Dynasty (నిజాం రాజ్యం)

Focusing on the Seventh and Last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, his reign, reforms, titles, and the end of the Nizam rule.

Mir Osman Ali Khan (1911-1948)

• He was the Seventh Nizam and the Last Ruler of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.
• Full Name: **Mir Osman Ali Khan**. (Highlighted as very important by speaker).
• Reign Period: 1911 to 1948 (until the integration into India).
• Parents: **Jahrunisa** (Mother) and **Mir Mahboob Ali Khan** (Father, the 6th Nizam).
• Birth Date: April 6, 1886.
• Ascended the throne in 1911 after his father's death.
• He had 7 wives; his first wife was **Dulhan Pasha Begum**.
• The term "Nizam" means Deputy, initially under Mughals, later under the British. His rule marks the end of this dynasty (established 1724, ended 1948).
• Interesting note: The letter 'Z' used on state RTC buses originated from his mother's name, Jahrunisa.

Titles

• His Exalted Highness (HEH): Upgraded from "His Highness" by **King George V** in 1918, mainly for support during WWI. (Highlighted).
• Faithful Ally of the British Empire: Earned due to significant financial and material support to the British during **World War I (1914-18)** and **World War II (1939-45)**. (Highlighted).
• Star of India (Knight Grand Commander - GCSI).
• Rustum-i-Dauran (Hero of the Age). (Highlighted).
• Sultan-ul-Uloom (King of Knowledge/Learning), reflecting his patronage of education. (Highlighted).

Key Reforms and Initiatives

• Abolished social evils like Vetti Chakiri (forced unpaid labour), the Devadasi system, and Begar through official orders. (Highlighted).
• Issued a Farman (Royal Decree) in 1920 banning **cow slaughter**. (Implementation might have been limited).
• Regulated / attempted to control practices like **cockfighting** and **bullfighting**.
• Issued orders prohibiting **smoking in courtrooms**, deeming it disrespectful to the judicial process. (Highlighted).
• Mandated court officials to wear traditional attire: **Talapaga (turban)** and **Dastar**. (Highlighted).
• 1912: Established the **City Improvement Board (CIB)** under the chairmanship of his son, **Moazzam Jah**, for the planned development of Hyderabad city, especially after the Musi floods. (Highlighted).
• 1918: Established the **Commerce and Industries Department**. (Highlighted).
• 1929: Created the **Industrial Trust Fund** with a corpus of **1 Crore Rupees** to promote industrial development and provide financial assistance. (Highlighted).
• 1932: Established the **Nizam State Road Transport Department (NSRRTD)**. (Highlighted).
  • Launched the first double-decker buses in India in 1940.
• 1945: Established **Deccan Airways Limited** in partnership with **Tata Airlines**.
  • Ownership split: 52% Nizam Government, 48% Tata Airlines. (Highlighted).
• Constitutional / Administrative Reforms:
  • 1922: During the Diwanship of **Sir Ali Imam**, the **Judiciary was separated from the Executive**. (Significant reform similar to Cornwallis Code, enhancing judicial independence). (Highlighted as starred point).
  • Appointed the **Balamukund Committee** for legislative reforms. (Highlighted).
  • 1937: Appointed the **Bahadur Aravamudu Ayyangar Committee** for political and constitutional reforms. (Highlighted).
  • 1938: Based on committees, formed a body with 85 members to formulate laws.
• Tribal Welfare:
  • Established **Girijan Panchayats** for tribal communities.
  • Appointed anthropologists **Grigson** and **Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf** to study tribal issues and suggest solutions. (Haimendorf's work on Gonds, Chenchus etc. is notable).
  • Based on Haimendorf's report, the **Dastur-ul-Amal** (Tribal Regulation Act) was enacted to protect tribal rights and lands.
• Patronage & Secular Gestures:
  • Provided annual donations (Viralam) to Hindu temples like **Bhadrachalam** and **Tirupati**. (Highlighted).
  • Funded the construction of the **Gurudwara in Nanded** and granted a **Jagir** for its maintenance. (Highlighted).
  • Brought historical sites like the **Grishneshwar Temple (Indore)** and the **Thousand Pillar Temple (Hanamkonda)** under the **Public Works Department (PWD)** for preservation. (Highlighted).
• Education:
  • 1913: The **Old Boys Association** of Dar-ul-Uloom College submitted proposals for a university.
  • A series of Educational Conferences were held (1st-1915 Hyderabad, 2nd-1916 Aurangabad, 3rd-1917 Hyderabad, 4th-1919) discussing the need for a university.
  • Issued a **Farman on April 26, 1917** for the establishment of **Osmania University**. (Highlighted).
  • Osmania University classes commenced on **August 28, 1919**, initially at **Abids**. (Highlighted).
  • OU was established with **Urdu as the medium of instruction**. (Highlighted).
• Wealth:
  • Declared the **world's richest man** by **TIME Magazine** on **February 22, 1937**. (Highlighted).
  • Famously used the **Jacob Diamond** as a paperweight.

End of Reign

• Ruled until Hyderabad State was integrated into the Indian Union following **Operation Polo** on **September 17, 1948**.
• Became the Rajpramukh of Hyderabad State from 1950 to 1956.

Quote about him

• "God gave Delhi to the late king (Mughal Emperor), but gave you Dimak (intellect/brains)." - **Sarojini Naidu**, praising his reformist attitude and capabilities, possibly contrasting him with later Mughal rulers. (Highlighted).