Chowmahalla Palace marks legacy of eighth Nizam Mukarram Jah with exhibition, memoir launch

Hyderabad: The corridors of Chowmahalla Palace have been transformed into a living time capsule with the opening of a landmark exhibition and the subsequent release of a limited-edition memoir documenting the life of Mir Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah, the eighth Nizam of Hyderabad, on January 22.

A peek into the life and times of Nizams

The exhibition, which serves as a centrepiece for the palace’s recent heritage initiatives, was inaugurated late last year to mark the birth anniversary of the late Nizam.

It has now become the foundation for a permanent archival record through a newly released book that brings the ‘Life and Times’ of the royal family to the public eye.

A Visual Odyssey: The Exhibition

Curated and designed by Anuradha Naik Associates, the exhibition offers an evocative journey through over 250 rare and previously unseen photographs.

These images, many of which were handpicked by the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, before his passing, provide an intimate look at a man who bridged the gap between princely tradition and modern India.

Key highlights of the display include:

1. Royal Regalia: A stunning gold Dastar (head-dress) from the Nizam’s childhood and a historic Mughal sword belonging to the Asaf Jahi family.

2. The 28-Foot Lineage: A massive family tree tracing the dual heritage of the Asaf Jahi and Ottoman lineages.

3. Personal Memorabilia: Rare documents, including personal correspondence with India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and records of the Nizam’s service as an honorary colonel in the Indian Army.

A Tribute in print

On Thursday, January 22, the exhibition’s narrative was formalised with the release of the book ‘H.E.H. Mir Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah Bahadur: The Life and Times of the Eighth Nizam of Hyderabad.’

Authored by award-winning conservation architect Anuradha S Naik, the volume was officially released by Nawab Azmet Jah, the current head of the Asaf Jahi family.

The book serves as a permanent extension of the exhibition, featuring photographs largely taken by Prince Azmet Jah himself, a trained cinematographer.

“This book is not just a biography; it is a visual and archival record of a period that marked the transition of princely Hyderabad into republican India,” said Naik during the launch.

Education through heritage

In a gesture reflecting the Nizam’s lifelong dedication to philanthropy, the proceeds from the book sales are dedicated to the HEH Mukarram Jah School at Purani Haveli. Since 1987, the school has provided ICSE-stream education to thousands of students in Hyderabad’s Old City. The funds will specifically bolster scholarship schemes for the 3,000 boys and girls currently enrolled.

About the curator

Anuradha S Naik, the mind behind the exhibition and the book, is a celebrated architect whose work has defined the restoration of the Deccan’s heritage.

From her training at the Edinburgh College of Art to her pivotal roles in restoring the Taj Falaknuma Palace and designing the City Museum of Hyderabad, Naik has spent over a decade ensuring that Hyderabad’s history remains accessible to future generations.

The exhibition remains open to the public at Chowmahalla Palace, inviting visitors to step back into an era of opulence, transition and service.