Survive and Thrive: The Asaf Jahi Dynasty of Hyderabad

The Nizams of Hyderabad belong to the 17th century Asaf Jahi dynasty, which seeks its lineage the same as that of the Mughals. But their fate turned out to be different than the Mughals, as they drifted with the wind, holding on tight to the one who controlled their direction. Asaf Jah was a title that was created by the Mughals but was made distinctive by the members of this illustrious dynasty.

The Mausoleum of Nizams, Source: Pinterest, Viewbug

A family born from the weak roots of a decaying empire and a not-so-flourishing familial lineage is indeed doubtful to be considered strong enough to be retained for a considerable period. Surviving during turbulent times with one’s strength is no less than an achievement. The story of the illustrious Asif Jahi Dynasty in Hyderabad is about both independence and betrayal. Originating from the same roots as the Mughals did, from the dessert springs of Samarkhand, what distinguished the Asaf Jahis is their hunger for boundaries, that the blood of two dynasties can never be equal even though there was no difference in the roots of the same while it was being nurtured by the same land.

The British had already established their nagging existence in India during the 17th century when Mir Qamar ud Siddiqui arrived in India from Afghanistan, the man who would go on to become the founder of the titular Asaf Jahi dynasty. The ud Sidiquis shared a Persian lineage and were devout patrons of art and family cultural practices. Mir Qamar set off to create a strong identity for his family in the degrading Mughal courts. He primarily started serving as the adversary of the Mughal governors during the downward reign of Aurangzeb.

Mir Qasim was rewarded by the title of Asaf Jah 1 and was given the supervision of Golconda territory, a part of which would be later known as Hyderabad, but under some other dynasty’s rule. This accomplishment was the result of his success in signing a peace treaty with Nadirshah, an Iranian invader. This act of Mir Qasam’s saved the already staggering Mughal empire from further injury. However, the inevitable fate of the Mughal Sultanate couldn’t have been saved by the single effort of Asaf Jah, and so after the almost crumbling of the Mughal empire with the death of Aurangzeb, the Asaf Jahs declared their dynasty independent and continued their rule of Hyderabad.

The Asaf Jahi Dynasty’s association with the Mughals went from 1713 to 1721. After that, they focused on building and maintaining their identity. Some people tend to flow in the direction where the wind takes them, not caring about the medium. That’s what the Asaf Jahi believed in; they always stood with those in power. First, it was the Mughal Empire, but after its decay, the British were in vogue.

Mir Usman, the Asaf Jah IIV of Hyderabad, Source: Wikipedia

The demand of the Asaf Jahis was very simple. They desired to exercise their autonomy in Hyderabad without much meddling from the coloniser. One can say that conditions laid down by the Asaf Jahi dynasty framed the concept of princely states. They thrived in their limited territory, which is the major reason behind the independent growth of Hyderabad as a modern city. Without much outwardly control, the Asaf Jahi dynasty always ruled their kingdom while giving due attention to the insignificant issues too, even at the grass root level.

The title of the Asaf Jahi became formal; the new title taken by the dynasty members was that of Nizam, the true benefactor of the state. Asaf Jahi IIV, Mir Osman ud Siddiqui, was the last most renowned Nizam of Hyderabad, under whose supervision the state of Hyderabad touched great accomplishments of progressiveness. The present Nizam is Asaf Jahi 1X, Mir Muhammed Azmat Ali Khan. He accepted the throne of Nizam of Hyderabad after the death of his predecessor, Asaf Jah IIIV.

After observing the history of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, one must have deduced the fact that the Nizams believed in survival more than they believed in patronage and the principles of sticking to the service of one patron. Even after the death of Aurangzeb, the Mughal sultanate was alive, but Asaf Jah’s far-sightedness made him grab the bait of the promising British. Today, the Asaf Jah dynasty still survives thereby, fulfilling its initial motive which was to survive and grow. One can learn many lessons of perseverance and systematic strategies from the glittering history of the Nizams of Hyderabad.