Hyderabad State

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This article is about this princely state in India from 1724–1948. For the Indian State from 1948–1956,
see Hyderabad State (1948–1956). For the modern state, see Telangana.

State of Hyderabad
Deccan
1724–1948

Flag Coat of arms

Motto: "Al Azmat Allah"

(Greatness belongs to God)

"Ya Osman"
(Oh Osman)

Hyderabad (dark green) and Berar Province, not a

part of Hyderabad State but also the Nizam's
Dominion between 1853 and 1903 (light green)
Independent/Mughal Successor
State (1724–1798)
Status Princely state(1798–1947)
Unrecognised state (1947–
1948)
Aurangabad (1724–1763)
Capital
Hyderabad (1763–1948)
Telugu (48.2%, widely spoken)
Urdu (10.3%,[1])
Common languages
Marathi (26.4%)
Kannada (12.3%)[2]
Hinduism (81%)
Religion Islam (13%)[3]
Christianity and others (6%)[4]
 Government Independent/Mughal Successor
State (1724–1798)[5][6]
Princely State (1798–1950)
Nizam
• 1720–48 Qamaruddin Khan (first)
Osman Ali Khan (last, also was
• 1911–56
Rajpramukh from 1950)
Prime Minister
• 1724–1730 Iwaz Khan (first)
• 1947–1948 Mir Laiq Ali (Last)
Historical era .
• Established 1724
• Telangana
1946
Rebellion
• Annexation by
18 September 1948
India[7]
• States
Reorganisation 1 November 1956
Act
Area
1941 215,339 km2 (83,143 sq mi)
Population
• 1941 16,340,000
Currency Hyderabadi rupee
Preceded by Succeeded by
Mughal Hyderabad State
Empire (1948–56)
Maratha
Empire
Telangana
Andhra Pradesh
Today part of
Maharashtra
Karnataka

Hyderabad State ( pronunciation (help·info)), also Princely state

known as Hyderabad Deccan,[8] was an Indian
princely state located in the south-central region of Salute state
India with its capital at the city of Hyderabad. It is now British paramountcy
divided into Telangana state, the Hyderabad-Karnataka Chamber of Princes
region of Karnataka, and the Marathwada region of Jagir
Maharashtra. Agencies of British India
Residencies of British India
The state was ruled from 1724 to 1857 by the Nizam, Doctrine of lapse
who was initially a viceroy of the Mughal empire in the Political pensioner
Deccan. Hyderabad gradually became the first princely Privy Purse
state to come under British paramountcy signing a Standstill agreement
subsidiary alliance agreement. During British rule in Instrument of Accession
1901 the state had an average revenue of
Rs.417,00,000, making it the wealthiest princely state
Individual residencies
in India.[9] The native inhabitants of Hyderabad
Deccan, regardless of ethnic origin, are called "Mulki" Hyderabad
(countryman), a term still used today.[10][11] Indore (Holkar)
Jammu and Kashmir
The dynasty declared itself an independent monarchy Mysore (Maisur)
during the final years of the British Raj. After the Quilon
Partition of India, Hyderabad signed a standstill Sikkim
agreement with the new dominion of India, continuing
all previous arrangements except for the stationing of Agencies
Indian troops in the state. Hyderabad's location in the
middle of the Indian union, as well as its diverse Bagelkhand
cultural heritage, was a driving force behind India's Baluchistan
annexation of the state in 1948.[12] Subsequently, Mir Baroda and Gujarat States
Osman Ali Khan, the 7th Nizam, signed an instrument Baroda, Western India and Gujarat States
of accession, joining India.[13] Bhopawar
Bundelkhand
Central India
Deccan States
Eastern States
Gilgit
Gwalior Residency
Jaipur Residency
Madras States
Mahi Kantha
Malwa
Mewar (Udaipur) Residency and Western
Rajputana Agency
North-West Frontier
Palanpur
Punjab States
Rajputana
Rewa Kantha
On 22 February 1937 a cover Western India States
story by Time called Osman Ali
Khan, Asif Jah VII the wealthiest Lists
man in the world
States by region
States by name
Rajput States
Maratha States

v
t
e
Five-rupee note from Hyderabad
Maharaja Sir Kishen Pershad
was the Prime Minister of
Hyderabad State between
1901-1912 and 1926-1937

Contents
1 History
1.1 Early history
1.2 British suzerainty
1.2.1 Asaf Jah V
1.2.2 Asaf Jah VI
1.2.3 Asaf Jah VII
1.3 After Indian Independence (1947–48)
1.4 1948–56
1.5 Dissolution
2 Government and politics
2.1 Government
2.2 Political movements
2.2.1 1938 Satyagraha
2.3 Communal violence
2.3.1 Prior to the operation
2.3.2 During and after the operation
3 Military
4 Demographics
4.1 Mulki
5 Culture
5.1 Symbols
5.1.1 Coat of Arms
5.1.2 Flag
5.1.3 Stamps
5.1.4 Anthem
6 Architecture
7 Industries
8 See also
9 Notes
10 References
11 Bibliography
 12 Further reading
13 External links

History
Early history

Hyderabad State was founded by Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan who was the governor of Deccan under the
Mughals from 1713 to 1721. In 1724, he resumed rule under the title of Asaf Jah (granted by Mughal
Emperor Muhammad Shah). His other title, Nizam ul-Mulk (Order of the Realm), became the title of his
position "Nizam of Hyderabad". By the end of his rule, the Nizam had become independent from the
Mughals, and had founded the Asaf Jahi dynasty.[14]

Following the decline of the Mughal power, the region of Deccan saw the rise of Maratha Empire. The
Nizam himself saw many invasions by the Marathas in the 1720s, which resulted in the Nizam paying a
regular tax (Chauth) to the Marathas. The major battles fought between the Marathas and the Nizam
include Palkhed, Rakshasbhuvan, and Kharda.[15][16] Following the conquest of Deccan by Bajirao I and
the imposition of chauth by him, Nizam remained a tributary of the Marathas for all intent and purposes.
[17]

From 1778, a British resident and soldiers were installed in his dominions. In 1795, the Nizam lost some
of his own territories to the Marathas. The territorial gains of the Nizam from Mysore as an ally of the
British were ceded to the British to meet the cost of maintaining the British soldiers.[14]

British suzerainty

See also: Northern Circars

Main street of Hyderabad with

Charminar, 1890

Hyderabad was a 212,000 km2 (82,000 sq mi) region in the Deccan, ruled by the head of the Asaf Jahi
dynasty, who had the title of Nizam and on whom was bestowed the style of "His Exalted Highness" by
the British. The last Nizam, Osman Ali Khan, was one of the world's richest men in the 1930s.[18]

In 1798, Nizam ʿĀlī Khan (Asaf Jah II) was forced to enter into an agreement that put Hyderabad under
British protection. He was the first Indian prince to sign such an agreement. (Consequently, the ruler of
Hyderabad rated a 23-gun salute during the period of British India.) The Crown retained the right to
intervene in case of misrule.[14]

Hyderabad under Asaf Jah II was a British ally in the second and third Maratha Wars (1803–05, 1817–
19), Anglo-Mysore wars, and would remain loyal to the British during the Indian Rebellion of 1857
(1857–58).[14][19]

His son, Asaf Jah III Mir Akbar Ali Khan (known as Sikandar Jah) ruled from 1768 to 1829. During his
rule, a British cantonment was built in Hyderabad and the area was named in his honor, Secunderabad.[20]
The British Residency at Koti was also built during his reign by the then British Resident James Achilles
Kirkpatrick.[21]

Sikander Jah was succeeded by Asaf Jah IV, who ruled from 1829 to 1857, and was succeeded by his son
Asaf Jah V.[22]

Asaf Jah V

Asaf Jah V's reign from 1857 to 1869 was marked by reforms by his Prime Minister Salar Jung I. Before
this time, there was no regular or systematic form of administration, and the duties were in the hand of the
Diwan (Prime Minister), and corruption was thus widespread.[23]

In 1867, the State was divided into five divisions and seventeen districts, and subedars (governors) were
appointed for the five Divisions and talukdars and tehsildars for the districts. The judicial, public works,
medical, educational, municipal, and police departments were re-organised.[24] In 1868, sadr-i-mahams
(Assistant Ministers) were appointed for the Judicial, Revenue, Police, and Miscellaneous Departments.
[25]

Asaf Jah VI

Asaf Jah VI Mir Mahbub Ali Khan became the Nizam at the age of three years. His regents were Salar
Jung I and Shams-ul-Umra III. He assumed full rule at the age of 17, and ruled until his death in 1911.[26]
[27][28]

The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway was also established during his reign to connect Hyderabad State
to the rest of British India. It was headquartered at Secunderabad Railway Station.[29][30] The railway
marked the beginning of industry in Hyderabad, and factories were built in Hyderabad city.[31][32]

During his rule, the Great Musi Flood of 1908 struck the city of Hyderabad, which killed an estimated
50,000 people. The Nizam opened all his palaces for public asylum.[33][34][35]

He also abolished Sati where women used to jump into their husband's burning pyre, by issuing a royal
firman.[36][37]

Asaf Jah VII

The last Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Osman Ali Khan ruled the state from 1911 until 1948. He was given
the title "Faithful Ally of the British Empire". Hyderabad was considered backward, but peaceful, during
this time.[14] The Nizam's rule saw growth of Hyderabad economically and culturally. The Osmania
University and several schools and colleges were founded throughout the state. Many writers, poets,
intellectuals and other eminent people (including Fani Badayuni, Dagh Dehlvi, Josh Malihabadi, Ali
Haider Tabatabai, Shibli Nomani, Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, Mirza Ismail) migrated from all parts of India
to Hyderabad during the reign of Asaf Jah VII, and his father and predecessor Asaf Jah VI.

The Nizam also established Hyderabad State Bank. Hyderabad was the only state in British India which
had its own currency, the Hyderabadi rupee.[38] The Begumpet Airport was established in the 1930s with
formation of Hyderabad Aero Club by the Nizam. Initially it was used as a domestic and international
airport for the Nizam's Deccan Airways, the earliest airline in British India. The terminal building was
created in 1937.[39]

In order to prevent another great flood, the Nizam also constructed two lakes, namely the Osman Sagar
and Himayath Sagar. The Osmania General Hospital, Jubilee Hall, , State Library (then known as Asifia
Kutubkhana) and Public Gardens (then known as Bagh e Aam) were constructed during this period.[40][41]

After Indian Independence (1947–48)

Main article: Operation Polo

In 1947 India gained independence and Pakistan came into existence. The British left the local rulers of
the princely states the choice of whether to join one or the other, or to remain independent. On 11 June
1947, the Nizam issued a declaration to the effect that he had decided not to participate in the Constituent
Assembly of either Pakistan or India.

However, the Nizams were Muslim ruling over a predominantly Hindu population.[14] India insisted that
the great majority of residents wanted to join India.[42]

The Nizam was in a weak position as his army numbered only 24,000 men, of whom only some 6,000
were fully trained and equipped.[43]

On 21 August 1948, the Secretary-General of the Hyderabad Department of External Affairs requested
the President of the United Nations' Security Council, under Article 35(2) of the United Nations Charter,
to consider the "grave dispute, which, unless settled in accordance with international law and justice, is
likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security".[44][non-primary source needed]

On 4 September the Prime Minister of Hyderabad Mir Laiq Ali announced to the Hyderabad Assembly
that a delegation was about to leave for Lake Success, headed by Moin Nawaz Jung.[45] The Nizam also
appealed, without success, to the British Labour Government and to the King for assistance, to fulfill their
obligations and promises to Hyderabad by "immediate intervention". Hyderabad only had the support of
Winston Churchill and the British Conservatives.[46]

General El Edroos (at right)

offers his surrender of the
Hyderabad State Forces to
Major General (later
General and Army Chief)
Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri at
Secunderabad.
(From left to right): Prime
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru,
Nizam VII and army chief
Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri
after Hyderabad's accession
to India

At 4 a.m. on 13 September 1948, India's Hyderabad Campaign, code-named "Operation Polo" by the
Indian Army, began. Indian troops invaded Hyderabad from all points of the compass. On 13 September
1948, the Secretary-General of the Hyderabad Department of External Affairs in a cablegram informed
the United Nations Security Council that Hyderabad was being invaded by Indian forces and that
hostilities had broken out. The Security Council took notice of it on 16 September in Paris. The
representative of Hyderabad called for immediate action by the Security Council under chapter VII of the
United Nations Charter. The Hyderabad representative responded to India's excuse for the intervention by
pointing out that the Stand-still Agreement between the two countries had expressly provided that nothing
in it should give India the right to send in troops to assist in the maintenance of internal order.
[47][non-primary source needed]

At 5 p.m. on 17 September the Nizam's army surrendered. India then incorporated the state of Hyderabad
into the Union of India and ended the rule of the Nizams.[48]

1948–56
Main article: Hyderabad State (1948–56)

After the incorporation of Hyderabad State into India, M. K. Vellodi was appointed as Chief Minister of
the state on 26 January 1950. He was a Senior Civil servant in the Government of India. He administered
the state with the help of bureaucrats from Madras state and Bombay state.[49]

In the 1952 Legislative Assembly election, Dr. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao was elected Chief Minister of
Hyderabad State. During this time there were violent agitations by some Telanganites to send back
bureaucrats from Madras state, and to strictly implement 'Mulki-rules' (local jobs for locals only), which
was part of Hyderabad state law since 1919.[50]

Dissolution

In 1956 during the reorganisation of the Indian States based along linguistic lines, the state of Hyderabad
was split up among Andhra Pradesh and Bombay state (later divided into states of Maharashtra and
Gujarat in 1960 with the original portions of Hyderabad becoming part of the state of Maharashtra) and
Karnataka.[51].