Mukarram Jah, born Mir Barakat Ali Khan Siddiqi Bayafendi Bahadur, led a life that straddled the contrasting worlds of royal lineage and personal pursuits. As the titular 12th Nizam of Hyderabad from 1967 to 1971, and later a pretender to the title until his death in 2023, his journey was marked by a unique blend of heritage, ambition, and a desire for a simpler life.
Early Life and Education: A Blend of Cultures
Born on 6 October 1933 in Nice, France, Mukarram Jah’s lineage was a confluence of two prominent dynasties. His father, Azam Jah, was the son and heir of Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last reigning Nizam of Hyderabad. His mother, Princess Durrushehvar Sultan, was the daughter of Abdulmejid II, the last Caliph of the Ottoman dynasty. This rich heritage placed him at the crossroads of Indian and Turkish history.
His education reflected his cosmopolitan upbringing. He began his academic journey at the Doon School in Dehradun, India, before moving to England to attend the prestigious Harrow School. He furthered his studies at Peterhouse, Cambridge, and later pursued specialized education at the London School of Economics and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. This diverse educational background equipped him with a broad understanding of world affairs, economics, and military strategy.
A Brief Foray into Indian Politics
Following his education, Mukarram Jah returned to India and briefly resided at Teen Murti Bhavan in New Delhi. During this time, he served as an honorary aide-de-camp to Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. He later recounted that Nehru had envisioned him taking on a diplomatic role, possibly as his personal envoy or as an Indian ambassador to a Muslim country. However, Mukarram Jah’s path would soon diverge from the world of politics.
Embracing a Simpler Life: A Sheep Station in Australia
In a surprising move that defied expectations, Mukarram Jah chose to distance himself from the traditional trappings of royalty and pursued a simpler life. He purchased a sheep station in the Australian outback, a drastic shift from the opulent palaces of his ancestors. This decision reflected his independent spirit and a yearning for a life rooted in nature, far removed from the complexities of courtly affairs.
His first wife, Esra Birgin, a Turkish noblewoman whom he married in 1959, did not share his enthusiasm for this unconventional lifestyle and chose not to accompany him to Australia. This difference in aspirations eventually led to their divorce, marking a turning point in Mukarram Jah’s personal life.
Multiple Marriages: A Complex Personal Life
Mukarram Jah’s personal life was marked by multiple marriages and relationships. After his divorce from Esra Birgin, he married Helen Simmons, a former air hostess and BBC employee, in 1979. Helen converted to Islam, taking the name Aysha, and embraced life on the Australian sheep station. However, tragedy struck in 1989 when Aysha passed away.
In 1992, he married Manolya Onur, a former Miss Turkey. This marriage was short-lived, ending in divorce after five years. The same year, he married Jameela Boularous from Morocco, and in 1994, he married Princess Ayesha Orchedi, a Turkish noblewoman. These multiple marriages and relationships reflected the complexities of his personal life, often intertwined with his royal lineage and the expectations that came with it.
Financial Fluctuations: From Richest Man to Divorce Settlements
Like his grandfather, Mir Osman Ali Khan, Mukarram Jah inherited immense wealth, making him the richest man in India until the 1980s. However, his fortune dwindled in the 1990s due to a series of divorce settlements. Despite these financial setbacks, he remained significantly wealthy, with an estimated net worth of $2 billion.
A Controversial Title: The Tussle for the Nizam’s Legacy
Mukarram Jah’s claim to the title of Nizam of Hyderabad was complicated by the political realities of post-independence India. The 26th Amendment to the Indian Constitution in 1971 abolished all privy purses and princely titles, effectively ending the legal recognition of his claim. Despite this, he continued to be referred to as the titular Nizam by some, particularly within Hyderabad.
His succession to the title was also contested by his younger brother, Muffakham Jah, who argued that he was the rightful heir. This family dispute further complicated the legacy of the Nizams and highlighted the challenges of maintaining royal titles in a changing political landscape.
Death and Funeral: A Return to Hyderabad
Mukarram Jah passed away on 15 January 2023, at the age of 89, in Istanbul, Turkey. As per his wishes, his funeral was held in Hyderabad, the city that was once the seat of his ancestors’ power. His remains were laid in state at the Chowmahalla Palace, where family members and government officials paid their respects. He was later buried at the historic Mecca Masjid, bringing his life full circle back to his ancestral homeland.
A Legacy of Contrasts: Royalty, Simplicity, and Controversy
Instead of embracing a life of royal privilege, Mukarram Jah sought a simpler existence, far removed from the grandeur and expectations associated with his lineage. Although he inherited the title of Nizam in 1967, he never actually ruled Hyderabad as the state had already been annexed to India in 1948. He lost his titles and privy purses in 1971 when the Indian government abolished them. He even relocated to Australia to manage a sheep station, a stark contrast to the lavish lifestyle of his predecessors who enjoyed opulent palaces, extensive wardrobes, and the privilege of never wearing the same outfit twice.
His multiple marriages and financial fluctuations revealed the personal challenges he faced, while the controversy surrounding his claim to the Nizam’s title highlighted the changing dynamics of power and tradition in post-independence India.
Despite these complexities, he remains a significant figure in the history of Hyderabad, a reminder of the enduring legacy of the Nizams and the diverse paths their descendants chose to follow.
