New leader of Asaf Jahi dynasty: Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan coronated as 9th Nizam

Hyderabad: Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan has been coronated as the IXth Nizam of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty by the Majlis-E-Sahebzadagan Society. The coronation was at Khaja Ka Chilla, Moghalpura, in the Old City.

Majlis-E-Sahebzadagan is a Society formed in 1932 under the Guardianship of Mir Osman Ali Khan. The society, comprising 4,500 Sahebzada and Sahebzadi (direct descendants of Nizam I-VI) organised the ritualistic coronation has a historical importance of Nizam’s Affinity towards Khaja Garib Nawaz of Ajmer, who is respected worldwide by many religions.

Majlis-E-Sahebzadagan Society claims that Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan is their IXth Nizam. The honouring ritual started with decorating Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan with the Shahi Imam–E–Zameen (traditional amulet tied to the hand) and garlanding him with rose flowers.

President of the Society, Sahebzada Mir Mujtaba Ali Khan, vice-president and spokesperson Sahebzada Mir Nizamuddin Ali Khan, general secretary Moizuddin Khan, Sahebzadi Barkat Unnisa Begum and Sahebzada Syed Mubarak Ullah Barkat of Majlis–E–Sahebzadegan Society were present at the ritualistic honouring event of Raunaq Yar Khan.

This consensus of choosing Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan was formed after Prince Azmet Jah, the son of Mukarram Jah Bahadur, was coronated as the head of his immediate family after the demise of his father late Mukarram Jah Bahadur (late Nawab Mir Barkat Ali Khan Bahadur), but he refused to take up the responsibility. “The importance of choosing a Nizam for the Asaf Jahi dynasty 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 has been vocal about our heritage and has often represented the Tehzeeb, the legacy of Hyderabad,” said Moizuddin Khan, general secretary of the Society.

The visionary

Nawab Raunaq Yar Khan has been a visionary, reputed to be ethical, and has represented Hyderabad’s Asaf Jahi Tehzeeb (culture) consistently. The Majlis-E-Sahebzadagan Society and others who approached him twice in the last three years alleged that he refused to take responsibility due to Mukarram Jah Bahadur’s lack of consultation. However, after Syed Ahmed Khan tried to reconcile the Majlis-E-Saheebzadgan with an indifferent Prince Azmet Jah, he consented to take up the responsibilities requested of him.

Prince Azmet Jah accedes to the throne

On 21 January, Prince Mir Mohammed Azmat Ali Khan Azmet Jah, the first-born of the eighth Nizam of Hyderabad, Prince Mukarram Jah, was anointed the ninth head of the House of Asaf Jahs, as per the desire and decree of the last Nizam. Mukarram Jah Bahadur, the 8th Nizam of Hyderabad, died on 12 January in Turkey and was buried in Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad.

Unlike his father Prince Mukarram Jah’s coronation ceremony, the succession of Prince Azmet Jah was a private and simple affair.

As per the statutes of the Asif Jahi family, he formally acceded to the throne on 20 January at the Chowmohalla Palace. Prince Muffakham Jah, the younger brother of Prince Mukarram Jah, Princess Esra, Princess Shehkar, and Nawab Faiz Khan, along with some close members of the royal family, were present during the simple ceremony.

Although the title of the Nizam is not recognised by the government after its abolishment in 1971, the House of Asif Jahs continues its tradition that began nearly seven generations ago. Departed prince and eighth titular Nizam Prince Mukarram Jah was the official Nizam of Hyderabad. His coronation was held on 6 April 1967 at the Chowmohalla Palace, the same place where his mortal remains were laid in state for the public and the family members to pay their last respects.

Meanwhile, people in Hyderabad are upset with the developments and find that this has belittled the name of the Nizams. According to Islamic tradition, it must pass from the father to the son. This recent claim by others is not being seen in good light.