His Exalted Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad and Berar passed away at the age of 89, on 14 January 2023 at 10:30 PM (IST) in Istanbul, Turkey.
Nizam Mir Barkat Ali Khan (Mukarram Jah) was born on 6 October 1933 to Nawab Mir Himayat Ali Khan and Nawab Dürrühsehvar Durdana Begum.
He came from an ancient and royal family. Through his paternal side, he traced his descent back to Abu Bakr, the father-in-law of Prophet and Prophet’s successor as Caliph. His ancestors came to Mughal India in 1658, and by 1713 they were appointed Viceroy of Deccan and subsequently became Nizam of Hyderabad and Berar.
On his maternal side, he boasts of an equally proud and remarkably striking lineage. His mother, Nawab Dürrühsehvar Durdana Begum Sahiba, was the Princess of the Imperial and Most Exalted House of Osman and the only daughter of Sultan Abdülmecid Khan II. And through her, he traced his descent to Ottoman Sultans, including Mehmet II the Conqueror of Constantinople, Suleiman the Magnificent, and Murad IV the Conqueror of Baghdad.
In 1954, his grandfather, Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad and Berar, designated him, as his successor. He wrote a letter to Government of India in 1954 to nominate Mukarram Jah as his successor. The matter was considered by the Government of India, and after considering the suitability of the eligible heirs, the Government of India informed him in 1964 that his request was accepted. When his grandfather was laid to rest on 24 February 1967, he inherited his title and wealth. His coronation took place at Chowmahalla Palace on 6 April 1967 which was attended by many of the principal nobles of the State and guests across the world. He was recognized as Ruler of Hyderabad on 14 April 1964 by the Government of India under Article 366(22) of the constitution.
He was a quintessential symbol of Indian Royalty – and his death marked the end of an era.
We pray to God to grant peace to the departed soul and extend our sincere sympathy and condolences to the bereaved and sorrowing family.
Funeral Details
As per his desire of being laid to rest in his homeland, his children are scheduled to travel to Hyderabad with the mortal remains of the late Nizam on January 17.
On arrival, the body will be taken to the Chowmahalla Palace, where it will lay so that members of the family, friends, staff, and people can pay their last respects.
His funeral will be held at Mecca Masjid on January 18, 2023, after the Asar prayers.
K. Chandrashekar Rao, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana expressed his condolences and sympathies on the death of H.E.H Mir Barkat Ali Khan, Mukarram Jah, the eight Nizam of Hyderabad and Berar, and also announced that a state funeral shall be accorded to him in recognition of his service to the poor and needy in education and health sectors.
(Published on January 16, 2023)