Hyderabadi

For the modern state, see Telangana. Deccan region of Hyderabadi with its capital at the city of Hyderabad. The state was ruled from 1724 to 1857 by the Nizam, who was initially a viceroy of the Mughal empire in the Deccan.

The dynasty declared itself an independent monarchy during the final years of the British Raj. Hyderabad State was founded by Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan who was the governor of Deccan under the Mughals from 1713 to 1721. Following the decline of the Mughal power, the region of Deccan saw the rise of the Maratha Empire. In 1763, the Nizam shifted the capital to the city of Hyderabad. From 1778, a British resident and soldiers were installed in his dominions.

In 1795, the Nizam lost some of his own territories to the Marathas. Deccan, ruled by the head of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, who had the title of Nizam and on whom was bestowed the style of “His Exalted Highness” by the British. The last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, was the world’s richest man in the 1930s. He was the first Indian prince to sign such an agreement. Consequently, the ruler of Hyderabad rated a 23-gun salute during the period of British India. The Crown retained the right to intervene in case of misrule.

During his rule, a British cantonment was built in Hyderabad and the area was named in his honor, Secunderabad. Sikander Jah was succeeded by Asaf Jah IV, who ruled from 1829 to 1857, and was succeeded by his son Asaf Jah V. Asaf Jah V’s reign from 1857 to 1869 was marked by reforms by his Prime Minister Salar Jung I. Divisions and talukdars and tehsildars for the districts.