Following a wave of discontent towards the recent coronation of Nizam prince Azmet Jah, and his decision to relinquish control over the family trusts, descendants of Nizams I-VI gathered to crown Raunaq Yar Khan as the IX Nizam of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.
In a traditional ceremony held at Khaja ka Chilla, situated within the HEH Nizams Sahebzadas of Sarf-e-Khas Trust in Mughalpura, Raunaq Yar Khan, a beloved figure in the family, accepted the title bestowed upon him by his fellow ‘sahebzadagan’ (descendants).
The trust, which provides an allowance to the descendants of Nizam I-VI, witnessed a gathering of men dressed in traditional ‘rumi’ caps to emphasize their lineage. Raunaq Yar Khan was presented with the ‘Shahi Imam-e-Zamin’ (traditional amulet) and the traditional Asaf Jahi flag, after which he lit the customary lamp.
Vice president of Majlis-e-Sahebzadagan Society, Nawab Nizam Ali Khan, who also serves as a spokesperson, shared, “We declared that we would choose one amongst us with the consensus of all the ‘sahebzadas’ and ‘sahebzadis’. The time has come for Raunaq Yar Khan to don the mantle. We hope that he will guide all of us and resolve our problems.”
The decision to appoint their own head emerged from Azmet Jah’s apparent lack of awareness regarding the complex legal issues faced by the descendants. Mohd Moizuddin Khan, general secretary of the trust, expressed, “Prince Azmet Jah has neglected to take up the responsibilities of the family and clan. Repeated requests for cooperation, including those from Raunaq Yar Khan, were met with indifference.”
Moizuddin Khan further explained, “This means violation of the directive passed in 1999 by the City Civil Court, which states that all decisions should be made with the consensus of legal heirs of Nizams I to VI. As Azmet Jah did not take over the responsibilities of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, we chose the best amongst the family.”
