Nizam

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Image:Coat of arms of the Nizam of Hyderabad.jpg Nizam-ul-Mulk was the title of the ruler of Hyderabad state from 1724 to 1949. The state is therefore sometimes referred to as a nizamate. Like their Mughal predecssors, the nizams were Muslims.

The title nizām-al-mulk was first used in Urdu around 1600 to mean "governor of the realm", probably in reference to Nizam al-Mulk. It, in turn, derives from the Arabic word, nizंām, meaning "order, arrangement". The Nizam was, and often still is, referred to as Ala Hadrat or Nizam Sarkar.

The first Nizams ruled on behalf of the mughal emperors, but as their power waned with the death of Aurangazeb - the last great moghul, the nizams split away to form their own nizamates. This continued until the British who allowed the Nizams to rule their princely states. This was accepted by the Nizams and retained power over Hyderabad state until Indian independence. Even after Indian Independence, the Nizam wanted to join Pakistan or be independent, however the Indian Army launched Operation Polo that resulted in the annexation of the Nizam's territories.

The Nizam's dynasty was known as Asaf Jahi dynasty. Though it is said that dynasty had only seven rulers however there was a period of 13 years after the rule of the first Nizam when three of his sons Nasir Jung, Muzafar Jung and Salabath Jung ruled the dynasty. They are not officially recognized as the rulers and hence there are just seven known Nizams.

There is an interesting anecdote about the first Nizam. It is said that on one of his hunting trips/journeys he was offered some kulchas (a type of Indian bread) by a holy man and was asked to eat as many as he could. The Nizam could eat seven kulchas. The holy man then prophesied that seven generations of his family would rule. So it was.

All of the Nizams are buried in the Royal graves at the Mecca Masjid, near Charminar.

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