Meet the 9th Nizam Prince Azmet Jah who has worked with Steven Spielberg

Hyderabad: Prince Mir Mohammed Azmat Ali Khan Azmet Jah, the first-born of the eighth Nizam of Hyderabad, Prince Mukarram Jah, was annointed the ninth head of the House of Asaf Jahs on 20 January as per the desire and decree of the last Nizam.

Azmet Jah, who arrived in Hyderabad with the mortal remains of his father, is the son of the departed Prince Mukarram Jah and his first wife Princess Esra. 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 their 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.

On Friday, a teary-eyed Prince Azmet Jah along with Prince Muffakham Jah and family members paid floral tributes to Prince Mukarram Jah at the Asif Jahi tombs in Makkah Masjid.

Prince Azmet Jah was born in England and was schooled in London. In 1984, he graduated from the University of California. Jah grew passionate about photography during his childhood days, and took professional cinematography as his career. He has worked with eminent Hollywood filmmakers, including Steven Spielberg and Lord Richard Attenborough.

Prince Azmet Jah married Zeynap Naz Güvendiren, daughter of Altan Güvendiren, in 1996 and spent most of his life abroad, although he has visited Hyderabad frequently. The couple has a son, Murad Jah.

It is said Prince Azmet Jah will also inherit the responsibility of heading the Mukarram Jah Trust for Education and Learning, one of the many trusts established by the royal family. Until his demise earlier this month, Prince Mukarram Jah looked after the affairs of the trust.