In March 2023, the Majlis E Shabzadegan Society, formed under the guardianship of H.E.H Mir Osman Ali Khan (The VII Nizam) in 1932, announced the selection of H.E. Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan as the IX Nizam of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty. The Society, comprising over 4,500 members who are direct descendants of the Nizams (I-VI), reached this consensus due to the inadequacies of Prince Azmet Jah, the son of H.E.H Mukarram Jah Bahadur, the 8th Nizam of Hyderabad.
Despite being coronated as the head of his immediate family after his father’s demise, Azmet Jah’s persistent absence from Hyderabad and lack of communication with the extended Royal family led to this decision. Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan, the great-grandson of His Highness Mir Mahboob Ali Khan Siddiqi, the Sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, was chosen due to his vocal advocacy for Hyderabad’s heritage and his consistent representation of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty’s culture and legacy.
The selection of Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan aims to address the neglect of the Nizams’ properties and belongings worldwide. H.E.H Mukarram Jah Bahadur spent most of his time in Australia and Turkey, rarely visiting Hyderabad, which led to the theft and sale of many Nizam belongings. His son, Azmet Jah, also demonstrated indifference towards the responsibilities and workings of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty outside his immediate family.
The Majlis E Sahebzadagan Society, headed by Sahebzada Mohd Moizuddin Khan, confirmed that Prince Azmet Jah had neglected his responsibilities towards his family and clan. Despite repeated requests, including those made by Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan, Prince Azmet Jah showed consistent indifference. The Order passed in O.P 147/1995 order dated: 21-06-1999 city Civil Court Hyderabad, confirms that any decisions taken should be taken with consensus from the legal heirs of the 1st Nizam to the 6th Nizam, legal heirs, and descendants, including the settlor of Trusts himself.
Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan, known for his visionary approach and ethical conduct, has consistently represented Hyderabad’s Asaf Jahi Tehzeeb (Culture). He is one of the wealthiest Nawabs in Hyderabad, and the extended Royal family looks forward to him serving as an able face of its culture and an example of the secular traditions of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty present in Hyderabad.
The Grand Coronation Ceremony will soon follow, where the extended Royal family and the citizens of Hyderabad will be invited to witness a grand coronation ceremony. The importance of choosing a Nizam for the Asaf Jahi Dynasty in this era is to take over the responsibilities of the Dynasty and represent its culturally rich heritage, legacy, and customs to the world.
Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan, being connected to Hyderabad and recognized as a prominent figure of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty in Hyderabad, has always been upfront in being part of many social events, events to create awareness, raise funds, and help many citizens of the country in many ways. He was approached by the Majlis E Sahebzadagan Society and others twice in the last three years but refused due to the fact that H.E.H Mukarram Jah Bahadur was not consulted. However, after repeated attempts by Syed Ahmed Khan to reconcile Majlis-E-Sahebzadgan with an indifferent Prince Azmet Jah, Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan has now consented to take up the responsibilities of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty requested of him by the Majlis-E-Sahebzadgan.
