Centenary of Osman Ali Khan's ascension to the throne: AP government neglects the last ruler of Hyderabad State

By Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, Sept 16: With the State government showing little interest
in the coronation centenary of the Nizam VII, Mir Osman Ali Khan,
various Muslim groups from Telangana have drawn up a year-long
programme to celebrate the event.

This September 18 marks the 100th year of the coronation darbar of Mir
Osman Ali Khan. Though he took over the reigns of the Hyderabad State
immediately after the death of his father and Nizam VI, Mir Mahboob
Ali Khan, on August 29, 1911, the official coronation ceremony took
place in Delhi on September 18, 1911.

Two rare films dating back to 1903 and 1911 will be screened at
Chowmahalla palace later this month as tribute to the former ruler.
The 1903 film shows the Nizam VI holding a darbar. It also features
the young Mir Osman Ali Khan participating in the darbar. The 1911
film is on the coronation ceremony of Mir Osman Ali Khan in Delhi. The
films obtained from the Russian archives are being converted into high
resolution to improve the clarity.

A book on the times and legacy of the Nizam VII will be published
soon. It is being authored by 14 city scholars including Dr MA Nayeem,
Dr Syed Dawood Ashraf and Sajjad Shahid. "We are bringing out picture
post cards on the Nizam VII. There will also be a photo exhibition
highlighting the contribution of the Nizam to the modern Hyderabad,"
Dr Mohammad Safiullah of the Deccan Heritage Trust said.

The Telangana Muslim Joint Action Committee will celebrate
"Yad-e-Nizam" on September 17 (the day the Nizam announced his
surrender to the Indian Army in 1948) by offering floral tributes to
the grave of Mir Osman Ali Khan at Masjid-e-Judi in King Kothi. There
will be a public meeting after the Noon Prayers, according to Mohammad
Mushtaq Malik, president of Telangana Muslim JAC.