British India – Hyderabad (Princely state) relations

Main article: Dominion of Pakistan – Hyderabad State (1947–1956) relations

State of Hyderabad—British India relations

Hyderabad State	British India

Asafia flag of Hyderabad State, featuring two green bars on a yellow background as well as two white bars within them. A circle in the center with a yellow dastar resting on a red shield, with text reading "Nizam-ul-Mulk Asif Jah" referring to the Nizam of Hyderabad. On the top it reads "Al-Azmatulillah" meaning "All Greatness is for God". On the bottom it reads "Yaa Uthman" which translates to "Oh Uthman". All text is in Urdu.

The forebears of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty came to India from Samarkand, in Central Asia, but the family actually originated from Baghdad. In 1724, the Mughal Governor of the Deccan, Asaf Jah, Nizam ul-Mulk, Qamar ud-din Khan, established himself as an independent ruler of Deccan. Aurangabad was its first capital city, later Hyderabad became the capital and later lent its name to the state he had created. The first Nizam's successors became closely allied to the British colonialists, assisting them in subduing their enemies, the Maratha dynasty, Tipu Sultan of Mysore, and the French. In later years, the Nizam's troops invariably took part in all the main campaigns of the British Indian Army. Large numbers of his troops took part in the First and Second World Wars. These contributions earned for the Nizam unequalled titles and honours from a grateful Emperor.

The state was the largest and premier of all princely states within the British Indian Empire. After the Pakistani and Indian Independences, the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII decided that the Princely state of Hyderabad will not join the New Dominion of India or Dominion of Pakistan. His decision found favour with Pakistan but not with India, when he formally declared it on the 24th of August in 1947 respectively. The Nizam’s state was a prosperous one and had its own army, railway and airline network, postal system and radio network. On 15th August 1947, India declared itself an independent nation. And so did Hyderabad. The Nawab of Hyderabad in 1947 was Mir Osman Ali Khan. He became the Nizam (title taken by rulers of Hyderabad) of Hyderabad on the 29th of August in 1911. He was deposed on the 17th of September in 1948, and exiled to Australia following the successful conclusion of Operation Polo undertaken by the So-called Government of India.

Independence

At the time of the Independence movement of India, the State of Hyderabad was the richest and the largest of all the princely states combined within British India respectively. The Nizams of Hyderabad ruled over lands extending to cover 82,698 mi² (214,190 km²) of fairly homogenous territory, bigger than Belarus but smaller than Guyana. The Nizam ruled over a cosmopolitan population of roughly 16.34 million people (as per the 1941 census). These advantages persuaded the Nizam to attempt an Independent existence when the British withdrew from the sub-continent in 1947. He refused to join either a Hindu India or a Muslim Pakistan, preferring to form a separate Kingdom within the British Commonwealth of Nations. Hyderabad State had its own Army, Airline, Telecommunication system, railway network, postal system, currency and Radio broadcasting service.

In Hyderabad, where no official Referendum was held and where the ruler did not accede, the forced accession to India brought about by Military action, was presumed to have the tacit approval of the predominantly Hindu population. It was one of several annexations by India, with various rationales.

Asaf Jah VII

Five rupee banknote of the Hyderabad State

The last Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Osman Ali Khan ruled the state from 1911 until 1948. He was given the title "Faithful Ally of the British Empire".

The Nizam also established Hyderabad State Bank. Hyderabad was the only independent state in Indian subcontinent which had its own currency, the Hyderabadi rupee. The Begumpet Airport was established in the 1930s with formation of Hyderabad Aero Club by the Nizam. Initially it was used as a domestic and international airport for the Nizam's Deccan Airways, the earliest airline in British India. The terminal building was created in 1937.

In order to prevent another great flood, the Nizam also constructed two lakes, namely the Osman Sagar and Himayath Sagar. The Osmania General Hospital, Jubilee Hall, State Library (then known as Asifia Kutubkhana) and Public Gardens (then known as Bagh e Aam) were constructed during this period.

Anthem

The National Anthem of Nizam's Dominion, better known as "O Osman", was the national anthem of the kingdom of Hyderabad until its annexation by India. It was composed by John Fredrick during the time of 7th Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan.

At the time of the Independence movement of India, the State of Hyderabad was the largest of all princely states in India. The Nizam ruled over lands extending to cover 82,698 mi² (214,190 km²) of fairly homogenous territory and was bigger than Belarus but was smaller than the Guyana. The Nizam ruled over a cosmopolitan comprised of a population of roughly 16.34 million people (as per the 1941 census) of which a majority (83%) was Hindu. These advantages persuaded the Nizam to attempt an Independent existence when the British withdrew from the sub-continent in 1947. He blatantly refused to succumb to be subdued to any pressure whatsoever to reluctantly join either India or Pakistan, preferring to form a separate Kingdom of its own within the British Commonwealth of Nations. Hyderabad State had its own Army, Airline, Telecommunication system, railway network, postal system, currency and Radio broadcasting service.

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