Even today, traces of the last Nawab can be found in some form or the other in the streets of Hyderabad. Sometimes people tell stories about his food and sometimes they talk about his dressing and miserliness. There is discussion about his wealth and also about his simplicity. That’s just how they were. He lived his entire life on his own terms. In fact, the life of Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan was full of contradictions.
He remained in the news because of his habits. They tried their best not to merge with India till the last moment but they did not succeed. He had no standing in front of Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Come, on the pretext of his death anniversary (24th February), let us know the stories related to his life, which are recorded in the pages of history.
the richest man in the world
Mir Osman Ali Khan was the seventh and last Nizam of Riyasat-e-Hyderabad. In the year 1937, Time magazine declared him the richest person in the world. At that time his total wealth was estimated at around two billion dollars. This amount was equal to two percent of the American economy at that time.
There was an amazing contradiction in his life. He was certainly rich but lived a very simple life. He was often seen wearing tattered clothes. Don’t change your Turkish hat for years. It is said that he wore the same cap for 35 years.
He used to serve only one biscuit to his guests. Photo: Getty Images
Nawab and his miserliness
Stories of Nawab Saheb’s miserliness are still heard in the streets of Hyderabad. He was fond of smoking cheap cigarettes. Often he used to smoke cheap cigarettes of Charminar brand. It is said that he did not even throw away the cigarette butts left after the guests left. Used to drink many times.
Only one biscuit for the guests
People tell and listen to the story of his tea party while sipping tea. He used to serve only one biscuit to his guests. If a guest asked for another biscuit, the Nizam would look at him with great surprise. He himself used to drink only one cup of tea. He kept using his old Fiat car for years, while expensive cars like Rolls Royce were parked in his garage.
Paperweight made of very expensive diamond
It is said that the Nizam had the fifth largest Jacob Diamond in the world. Needless to say, the diamond was expensive. This diamond was the size of an ostrich’s egg, but see the Nizam’s indifference, he used this precious diamond as a paperweight on the table. He used to keep it hidden in an old sock.
Falaknuma Palace used to be the residence of the Nizam. Photo: Getty Images
Pakistan’s weapons did not work
It is not hidden from anyone that at the time of India’s independence, the Nizam wanted to keep his princely state independent. He flatly refused to join India. Nizam secretly ordered weapons from Pakistan to strengthen his army. He had ordered weapons by air through an Australian smuggler named Sidney Cotton.
Operation Polo exposed the Nizam Army
The Nizam had given free rein to his private army. It is alleged that the army also committed many atrocities on the public. Ultimately the Indian government had to run Operation Polo. In this way, in September 1948, the Indian Army took action on Hyderabad. Within just five days the Nizam’s army surrendered. After this Hyderabad formally merged with India.
Nizam was definitely a miser but was also a generous person.
Even though he was called a miser, charity was also an aspect of Nizam’s personality. He had donated heavily to Banaras Hindu University. He also gave financial help to Jamia Millia Islamia of Delhi. During the India-China war of 1965, he donated five tonnes of gold to the Indian government. This is considered to be the largest donation given by any individual in the history of India.
End times and legacy
Mir Osman Ali Khan died on 24 February 1967. A crowd of lakhs gathered in his funeral procession. This was one of the largest funeral processions of that time. Nizam laid the foundation of institutions like Osmania University, Osmania Hospital and State Bank of Hyderabad in Hyderabad.
Even today, the imprint of the Nizam era is clearly visible on the architecture and culture of Hyderabad. He was a ruler who created the structure of modern Hyderabad, but due to his personal habits he always remained in controversies and discussions.
History remembers him as a Nawab who had immense wealth, but at heart he had the simplicity of a fakir and sometimes extreme miserliness was also a part of his personality.
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