History of Hyderabad State — A quick Look at Major Events and Rulers
Established by Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan in 1724, the Hyderabad Princely state went on to become the biggest princely state under the British Rule, situated in the Deccan region of south India. Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan served as the Governor for Mughals from 1713 to 1721. Emperor Muhammad Shah gave him the title Asaf Jah in 1724. The Asaf Jahi dynasty was formed and the Nizam of Hyderabad started ruling an independent kingdom.
Defeats against Marathas
After the Mughal Empire started weakening, the Nizams of Hyderabad state were attacked by Marathas. History of Hyderabad witnessed several losses against the Marathas in battles of Palkhed, Rakshasbhuvan, and Kharda. Finally, Bajirao I captured the Deccan and the Nizam of Hyderabad started paying tributes to the Marathas.
Allies of British
Hyderabad State was occupied by some British Soldiers and a resident in 1778. When some territories were lost to the Marathas, they sought help from the British. In return, they had to give away territorial gains from Mysore to British Soldiers.
Formal British State
Nizam Ali Khan decided to turn Hyderabad state into a British Protectorate in 1798. It was the first princely state to do so and the Nizam of Hyderabad Princely state received a 23-gun salute. The state maintained its friendship with British and joined their side during the second and third Maratha Wars that was fought from 1803 to 05, and from 1817 to 19 respectively. They also helped the British soldiers during Anglo-Mysore wars. They assisted the British even during the Revolt of 1857 as well.
Hyderabad Rulers history
Mir Akbar Ali Khan or Sikander Jah was the son of Nizam Ali Khan who ruled from 1768 to 1829. A British cantonment was built and named after him — Secunderabad. The British Residency at Koti was built during this time as well. The next ruler Asaf Jah IV, ruled from 1829 to 1857, followed by Asaf Jah V, who ruled from 1857 to 1869.
A Prime Minister was appointed to take care of administration. Salar Jung I was one of the best Prime ministers of Hyderabad state who curbed corruption to a great extent. Later in 1860s, subedars, talukdars and tehsildars were also appointed. Every important department like judiciary, medical, education was reorganised. The Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway was established during Asaf Jah VI Mir Mahbub Ali Khan’s reign. This led to the establishment of many factories. Nizam opened palaces for helping victims of the Great Musi Flood of 1908.
The Last Nizam
The last Nizam of Hyderabad was Mir Osman Ali Khan who ruled from 1911 to 1948. Several institutions such as the Osmania University, colleges and schools were opened. Many writers, poets, intellectuals etc shifted to Hyderabad.
Hyderabad State Bank was established which also issued the Hyderabadi rupee. The Hyderabad Aero Club was formed and the Begumpet Airport began operations in the 1930s. Nizam’s Deccan Airways was the earliest airline in British India. Two lakes named Osman Sagar and Himayath Sagar were constructed. The Osmania General Hospital, Jubilee Hall, Moazzam Jahi Market, State Library and Public Gardens were also established.
Post Independence
After India’s Independence, the Nizam declared that he wanted to govern the independent state of Hyderabad on 11th June 1947. However, most of the people in Hyderabad were Hindus and they wanted to join India. Operation Polo began on 13th September 1948 and the Indian Army started attacking Nizam’s Army. Nizam’s Army was much weaker than Indian Army. On 17 September 1948, the Nizam’s army surrendered and the state became a part of the Republic of India.
M. K. Vellodi was appointed as the first Chief Minister of Hyderabad state on 26th January 1950. Dr. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao became the first elected Chief Minister of Hyderabad State in 1952. They were not accepted by local people as they wanted local leaders. Hyderabad was split into Andhra Pradesh and Bombay state in 1956. Later, it became a part of Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1960.
