A Claim to the title of 9th Nizam of Hyderabad by Raunaq Yar Khan

Hyderabad: A claim is being made for the title of 9th Nizam of Hyderabad by Majlis-E-Sahebzadagan Society who have chosen Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan for the title of Asif Jah dynasty.

Mir Muhammad Azmet Ali Khan, known as Azmet Jah was anointed in a private ceremony as the current head of House of Asif Jah and ninth Nizam of Hyderabad on January 20th, 2023. Azmet Jah came to Hyderabad with the mortal remains of his father Prince Mukarram Jah, the 8th Nizam of Hyderabad.

Consensus for Raunaq Yar Khan

Majlis-E-Sahebzadagan is a Society formed in 1932 under the Guardianship of Mir Osman Ali Khan. The Society Comprises Over 4500 Shabzada and Shabzadi (Direct Descendants of Nizam) and Umra (Nobles of Nizam). They reached a consensus of choosing Raunaq Yar Khan as 9th Nizam of Hyderabad's Asif Jah dynasty as Prince Azmet Jah allegedly went incommunicado.

The society members allege that he has failed to take-up responsibilities of the Asif Jah dynasty.

In a signed letter, MESS stated that a consensus was reached as the responsibilities to the extended royal family must be carried out. Mohd. Moizddin Khan, General Secretary of the Society says, “We have to take the best alternative as Azmet Jah is now not responding and we need the issues which are pending for so long to be sorted out. Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan has been vocal about Hyderabad’s heritage and has represented the tehzeeb and legacy of Hyderabad.”

Property disputes and other legal affairs

The disputes of properties are the biggest concern and sorting out litigations is a major challenge. There are lots of pending cases in various courts and they need to be cleared. Moizuddin Khan says, “Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur left Hyderabad and stayed in Australia and Turkey and now his son is also not here. Who is going to discharge the responsibilities and duties to the immediate family?”

A wrongful step and no direct link

“This is a very sad action,” said a senior member of the Nizam’s Trust who is guiding Prince Amzet Jah in the legal affairs.

The claim by Raunaq Yar Khan through MESS is not correct, stated the senior member. Raunaq Yar Khan has no direct link to Asif Jah dynasty.

A coronation ceremony planned

MESS is planning a grand coronation ceremony in the presence of renowned Kings, princes and Maharaja’s from India in Hyderabad.

This claim is now being viewed sceptically by many as they see this dispute for property taking an ugly turn. A senior member explained, “There are 4,500 descendants from the 1st Nizam and all of them claim for the properties. There is too much in-fighting and litigation are become an order of the day for many of them. Due to this reason, a lot of processes have stalled and there are too many legal issues which have made it a Herculean task to deal with. These steps are going to make things further difficult rather than resolving the issues.”