Asaf Jah VII The Last Nizam of Hyderabad, 2 Photos 1936
Two archival news photographs, one from 1936 and the other from 1967, show the last Nizam of Hyderabad (Asaf Jah VII), from a young monarch to an elderly statesman.
Hyderabad, founded in 1591 by Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, was established alongside the Charminar, which served as the focal point of the city’s original grid layout. Later, the Asaf Jahi dynasty, founded in 1724 by Nizam-ul-Mulk, rose to power after the decline of the Mughal Empire. Initially appointed as the Mughal Governor of the Deccan, Nizam-ul-Mulk declared independence, marking the birth of Hyderabad’s famous Nizamate rule.
Under the Asaf Jahi rulers, Hyderabad became India’s largest and wealthiest princely state. The Nizams’ immense fortune came from diamond mines near Golconda and their unparalleled collection of emeralds and jewels. Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII, was reputed to be the richest man in the world during his reign, and his immense wealth earned him a 1937 cover on Time Magazine.
Following India’s independence in 1947, the Nizam initially resisted joining the Indian Union, striving to maintain Hyderabad’s autonomy. However, escalating unrest and Operation Polo, a military action by the Indian Army in 1948, led to Hyderabad’s eventual accession to India, marking the end of the princely era. Click first image to enlarge.
Did you know- Time magazine stated that Nizam’s daily pay was $5000, jewels worth 150,000,000, gold bars 250,000,000, and total capital of 1,400, 000,000.
From the collection- Raja Ravi Varma’s “Birth of Shakuntala” Oleograph 1894., Greetings From Bombay Presidency – Old Postcard WWI., Chinese Boats On The Malabar Coast – Old Print 1746., San Thome Fort Madras – Antique Map 1757
