H.E. Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan, the IX Nizam of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty, has recently been crowned amidst a contentious dispute regarding the family’s affairs and trust management. His selection was supported by over 4,500 members of the Royal Family, contesting the claims of Azmet Jah, the son of the last ruling Nizam, Mukarram Jah.
In a statement issued by Nawab Najaf Ali Khan, grandson of the seventh Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, he raised objections to the coronation of Nawab Azmet Jah as the 9th head of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty. He stated, “All his life Mukarram Jah did not have any interest in the title awarded to him by my grandfather, this in turn complicated his life and he became a silent witness to his downfall as well as that of the entire family.”
Nawab Najaf Ali further alleged that despite Mukarram Jah’s immense wealth and resources, he did not wish to stay in Hyderabad and look after the family’s issues. He claimed, “If he had taken action, the condition of the majestic family would have been different.”
Regarding the coronation of Azmet Jah as the Ninth head of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty, Nawab Najaf Ali stated, “Azmet Jah has self-proclaimed himself as ninth Nizam of Asaf Jahi Dynasty by issuing the self-declaration and it is signed by two persons who are not a part of the Nizam family and is done only to misguide the common people and the government.”
Nawab Najaf Ali appealed to the common people to not be misguided by such false self-declarations that do not mandate Azmet Jah to hold the title of Ninth Nizam.
Despite the lack of official power following Hyderabad’s annexation by India in 1948, the title of Nizam remains a ceremonial role within the Asaf Jahi family. H.E. Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan serves as the family’s representative, liaising with the government and overseeing their properties. Renowned for his passionate advocacy for Hyderabad’s heritage, he stands as a prominent figure of the dynasty.
H.E. Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan’s writing merges academic rigor with captivating storytelling, often enriched by personal anecdotes that breathe life into historical accounts. This project aspires to bridge the historical significance of the Nizams with contemporary audiences, honoring the rich heritage of the Nizams and their enduring legacy.
