From the diary of a Nawab
Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan’s grandson recollects lavish parties and having the best of everything...
My father, Prince Hasham Jah Bahadur, son of Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan, was a socialite who was committed to the common man. He was one of the highest bill generators at the Secunderabad Club, of which he was an honorary member until he passed away in 1991. He used to take us to the club often so that we could be exposed to cultures.
Children below 12 were not allowed into the dining room, so he would order food for my sister Sahebzadi Mahmooda Begum and me in the kitchen supervisor’s cabin. My father threw lavish parties often, especially for Prince Azam Jah Bahadur (father of Prince Mukarram Jah) who he held in high regard. The guest list included former police commissioner Shiv Kumar Lal, Nawab Ahmed Yar Khan, Nawab Basalath Jah Bahadur, Field Marshal General Cariappa, Nawab Mujeeb Yar Jung, Maharaja Kishan Pershad, Raja Dhan Rajgiriji Bahadur, Nawab Khaja Moinuddin Khan, and Nawab of Chhatari amongst others.
During Ramzan, khaasa (special) food was sent in a khaun (tray) to all our relatives just in time for iftar. It consisted of all the royal delicacies from the maizkhana (Nizam’s kitchen).
Prince Hasham Jah Bahadur was one of the beloved sons of Mir Osman Ali Khan. All the sons of the Nizam were provided with the best of everything. When he married Sahebzadi Faizunisa Begum, called Faizu by Nizam VII, he presented her with a pair of gold bangles and after the Nikah ceremony; Nizam VII personally brought my parents with him from the Purani Haveli in his car and dropped them to their residence. It was a rare thing at the time. I was blessed to be brought up by three mothers; Sahebzadi Gauhar Begum, who taught me discipline, Sahebzadi Faizunnisa Begum was like a friend and kept my secrets, and Sahebzadi Mukhtar Begum, who I was born to, was very loving.
Mir Osman Ali Khan wanted everyone to live with their democratic rights. He created the Nizam’s Charitable Trust exclusively for poor people of all castes and creeds. Nims was given on lease for `1 per year for 99 years.
My grandfather wanted his family to receive the best education. Much importance was given towards social behaviour, tolerance towards other religions, morals and overall development. His sons were taught by the best tutors in English, Arabic and Persian and his daughters had the best governesses. Likewise, my father too sent me to the best school, Hyderabad Public School, and taught me the same values.