Extravagance Royale: Prince Moazzam Jah

A ruler is bound by rules and restrictions that are unavoidable. The same fate befalls their progeny that might one day be the heir to the much-loved throne. India has an enviable history of kings and queens whose might and wealth were tales for the ages. Prince Moazzam Jah, the son of the last Nizam of Hyderabad, was known for his extravagant tastes and his love for poetry- his tale is nothing short of amusing.

Lover of poetry and vanity: Prince Moazzam Jah. Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org

Prince Moazzam Jah, Walashan Shahzada Nawab Mir Sir Shuja’at ‘Ali Khan Siddiqui Bahadur- to his good luck, he was the son of the richest man in the whole world- The Nizam of Hyderabad- Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII.

Being born as royalty comes with its perks. He indulged himself frequently in writing poetry and ghazals. He basked in the glory, and customary 'Wah Wah' chanted loudly by his courtiers as he recited his poems. Gratified with his talents and the adulations, he swelled with pride and invited the courtiers to submit their works- each vying for the best composition- an affair that went on till the first call for azan.

The Prince lived in comfort and catered to his extravagant tastes at all times. While some people acquire a taste for luxury, Moazzam Jah inherited it from his family. It coursed through his veins. He'd only wear the finest and the most expensive suits, made from the richest of fabrics.

Not one for compromises, he did not hold back his disdain for any gift that did not meet his expectations. Once, when he was his father sent him a suit for his birthday, the Prince immediately recognized the inferior quality of the cloth.

Infuriated at his father's tastelessness or carelessness, he sent it back. When the Nizam of Hyderabad tried to reason with him by saying that the cloth was good enough for him if it was good enough for the Nizam. His son rebuked him by saying that because he is the son of the richest man in the world, he deserves nothing less the best and the finest.

Upon hearing his son's reply, the Nizam immediately sent him another suit, one of better quality this time.

The Prince was married to Princess Niloufer- the daughter of Abdul Majjid II, the last Turkish Sultan. She brought about a change in Hyderabad by encouraging women to not hide behind their veils.

However, she was unhappy in her marriage as Moazzam Jah spent more time at his nocturnal court, savoring ghazals and poetry than tending to his marital life. The strain was too much to bear, and Niloufer divorced him in 1952.

As all good things come to an end, so did Moazzam Jah's days of extravagance and vanity. After the Merger of the Princely state of Hyderabad with India in 1948, his allowances were significantly cut and financial woes loomed over him.

He left the Hill Fort Palace and moved to Fern villa in the Red Hills area- thereby bringing an end to the nocturnal court. The Prince's legacy was honored, and a fruit market (The Moazzam Jahi fruit market) was named after him in Hyderabad. He passed away on 15 September 1987.