Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan
He is the special guest in this seminar. He is the ninth successor of the Asif Jahi dynasty. And the first democratic Nizam.
SPEECH: Thank u for having me over in this august gathering of scholars & learned historians & political people who can throw some light on the plight of Asaf Jahis in the afternath of indian independance and democracy.
I would like to inform u at the outset that i was told to speak as less as possible on the History of The Asaf Jahi dynasty, as that is reserved for thorough researchers or Indian or Hyderabadi Govt policy makers of Govt presently.
I can understand i was only invited here as i was recognised as the 9th Nizam of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty & the subject was 1724 – 2024, 300 years of Assf Jahi rule upto 1948 & emerging related situations beyond, till end 2024.
This decision of the family is little understood as general public only understands a fairy-tale version of successions the move from ruler to son, usually eldest. The reslity is seriously divergent from this simplistic view as the only concept propagated by Islam is IJMA. Islam being silent on other possibilities though many variations are possible depending on opportunities & circumstances. Nizams were Islamic & came down from the 1st Khalifa, Abu Bakr Siddiqui father in law of the Prophet, selected by process of Ijma/ consensus(not my place to epaborate too much on this here. The succession of the genetic line of the first prophet of Islam was through his daughter. The 1st & last Nizam chose grandsons over their immediate progeny . The first ever Nizam chosing daughter KhairUnnisa’s son as his choice over 6 sons, all efficient enough. Here the choice was based on meritocracy as well as IJMA as the founders grandson Muzaffar Jung was the most popular among the noted nawabs of the region, like Cadappa & Karnool. He was a favourite of the subjects, as well as supported by the French & attained power on his own steam though his father too had willed the same. His people rallied around him at the moment he succeeded by thwarting the attempt by his uncle Nasir Jung to stay in power after Nasir grabbed the seat of power momentarily though not in any way welcome.
Aurangazeb, who actually was chiefly instrumental in the Nizams progression onto the seat of Deccan power, had put his own brothers to death including his fathers choice DaraShiko, & jailed his father Shah Jahan proving even a King weak in power could not decide his successor. The real founders of Hyderabad, the Khutub Shahs too did not have the opportunity to decide on their next in line as they were overthrown by Aurangazeb with the founder Nizams father as their general after this generals father, an earlier general of Aurangazeb had failed & died in the attempt.
The 5th Nizam, Afzal Ud’ Dawla was the 1st Monarch, with the abolishing of Moghul emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar to Rangoon by the British, bringing the curtain down on the Moghul dynasty with finality.
Earlier Nizams, except the first three to succeed the founder & vaguely mentioned ones though of the founder Nizams descent were “Subedars”/viceroys of the Moghuls.His Highness Mahboob Ali Khan , my great grandfather was the only monarch, birth to death. The variations of succession are so diverse & endless, i leave it to the learned historians to conclude each emerging event till the next spectacular commencement..
I seem to be invited here on the perusal of the paper by Gold medallist Miss Dr. Zeenatfar of Osmania Univ, published in a double peer reviewed scientific joournal. I hope shhe would appear here to read her paper or at least have it published in this august gathering that discusses & debates 300years of Asaf Jahs & her paper covers the span from one end to another but falls short of addressing the final & latest happenings closes the revealations of 2024.
This shortcoming of Zeenat was picked up by Dr marcella, fellow of Berkley Univ & expert on Central Asian studies. She has written books even on Chugtai etc. She has picked up the thread of 10Nizams ,a debate initiated by Dr.Zeenatfar. Marcella was supported by Dr. Aparna , a fellow of Hosp in U.K. Aparna though now settled in UK, belongs to an aristocratic landed family of Hyderabad & travels to Hyd very often to meet her friends, even more so now that she interviews them to gather the latest happenings in their trusts left by the last Nizam as well as their aspirations after recognising me as their Nizam En Mass.
This paper i heard in part but was read out in full was due to Dr. Marcella & Dr Aruna both having to return to their respective countries as they calculated & anticipated the 300 year celebration to coincide with the Nizam QamarUddins victory at the Battle of Shakerkheda with Mubariz Khan, after which the Nizam stayed put here. This mark was missed & both Contributors left while this event is now happening in historic (Nizams eldest son prince Azam Jah lived here) as well as a respected academic place of excellence, Administrative Staff College of India(ASCI) 3 days short of the year 2024’s closing.
Hearing the later part of Marcella’s paper which i caught missing the earlier half, i feel absolutely encouraged i am at the appropriate place & made the right choice in accepting being a very special invitee though an exception among all the learned & top dignitaries like Advisor to Govt on minorities, Mr Shabbir Ex Minister; Present Chairman All India Muslim personal law board, Janab Khalid Rehmani; V.C. Osmania Univ. Former Law head of Osmania & Dalit leader Mr. Gali Vinod. Have to thank Munsif Urdu Satellite T.V. & largest Urdu printed paper to organise this seminar before the close of the landmark of 3rd centenary. Today, with no recognised head of dynasty from 1971, no princely state of Hyderabad, the Dynasty or the Royal clan is only left with the prerogative to chose their Nizam of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty, democratically in a democratic India.
The royal dynastic clan expects me to integrate them into a democratic norms , keeping as much of the old culture intact & improve their situation in todays democratic India.
How i intend on going forward with that is a chapter for another day as i leave the stage open to the historical part of this program which is the present intent of this seminar. Hope i live upto their expectations. Thanking Munsif for conducting such an important & informative internationalcseminar & so timely too & for offering me the privelege of having me on stage as a special invitee.