Mir Osman Ali Khan, Nizam VII of Hyderabad, the richest Indian of all time

By Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, Oct 16: On February 22, 1937, Time magazine featured Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last of Hyderabad’s Nizams, on its cover hailing him as the richest man in the world. Seventy-five years later the Nizam continues to figure in the list of the richest people ever lived on the globe.

And now, Celebrity Net Worth website, in its latest assessment of the world’s 24 richest people of all time, puts Mir Osman Ali Khan in the sixth slot. It also describes him as the richest Indian of all time. The website arrived at the richness of the former ruler of Hyderabad and others after adjusting inflation.

Time magazine had then put the net assets of the Nizam at two billion US dollars. When the amount is inflation-adjusted, he is now worth 236 billion US dollars.

The richness of Mir Osman Ali Khan can be gauged from the fact that he
used a diamond of the size of a hen’s egg as a paperweight on his
drawing table. Though he inherited much of his property from his
father, he added to the wealth in the form of revenue from coal
mining, land tax and gifts comprising diamonds and gold and silver
articles, often weighing several kilograms. One of the gifts was a
model of his throne cast in seven kgs of gold.

“The Nizam was quite rich. But he led a simple life. He was a
multi-linguist and great visionary. He spent 11 per cent of the budget
on education,” said Mir Kamaluddin Ali Khan, secretary of Mukarram Jah
Educational Trust.

Mir Osman Ali Khan had a personal collection of 350 kgs of diamonds,
mostly mined along the Krishna river valley. The Nizam Diamond at 277
carats was the world's third largest diamond.

To quote Time magazine (February 22, 1937): “India has no native state
so rich, potent and extensive as Hyderabad which is about the size of
the United Kingdom and there last week the Royal Family of the Asafia
Dynasty celebrated the Silver Jubilee of "The Richest Man in the
World," Lieut. General His Exalted Highness Sir Mir Osman Ali Khan,
the Nizam of Hyderabad & Berar”.

Apart from the numerous expensive gifts the Nizam received on the
silver jubilee of his ascension to the throne, he had a vast
collection of jewellery, which is now estimated several billion US
dollars.

Mir Osman Ali Khan had his own bank and currency and several thousand
hectares of real estate and sprawling palaces. During the Indo-Pak
war, he donated two lorry loads of gold coins to the Indian government.

Circadian rhythm and post-Ramadan Care: Refixing the body clock after the Islamic holy month of fasting

By Syed Akbar

The fasting month of Ramzan is over. As the devout Muslims, who had kept daylong fasts 
and offered prayers until late in the nights, try to refix their body or biological 
clock, researchers around the globe will be busy analyzing the data collected during the 
month on the health effect of Ramzan on the individual’s health.

Ramzan is an interesting subject of research for scientists and doctors, particularly 
those specializing in endocrinology (hormones), kidney, heart, brain and lungs. The 
month-long strict observance of fasting coupled with physical exercise in the form of 
long prayers late in the night, disrupts the body clock, which scientists call circadian 
rhythm.

A number of researchers from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh conducted pre and post Ramzan 
studies on health topics ranging from diabetes to lactation and insomnia to thyroid 
issues. Doctors from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, were also part of the pre-Ramzan 
studies. Refixing the body clock post-Ramzan takes time, and it usually goes back to 
normal circadian rhythm within two to four weeks.

People, who had kept all night vigil during the month spending time in prayers, find it 
difficult to sleep once Ramzan is over. Doctors in Saudi Arabia have issued health 
warnings against use of sleeping pills to beat insomnia. Doctors in Hyderabad, however 
feel that Muslims in India do not suffer from post-Ramzan insomnia, as unlike Saudis, 
they do not change the sleep pattern much.

“The impact of change in the circadian rhythm during Ramzan serves as a unique research 
opportunity. It not only helps scientists understand how human body adopts to changes 
during Ramzan in the routine daily schedule, with which it was accustomed to for 11 long 
months, but also provides an insight for research on future space travels,” says senior 
researcher Dr MN Khaja.

Since millions of people in all climatic and geographical conditions observe Ramzan, 
which involves sleep disruptions and hormonal changes, scientists will be able to know a 
lot more about hormones like leptin, (which controls food cravings and weight), melatonin 
(which induces sleep), cortisol (which maintains stress), and testosterone (reproductive).

Says sleep expert Prof Ahmed BaHammam, who has been associated with Ramzan research for 
almost a decade, “there has been increased interest in recent years in sleep changes and 
daytime sleepiness during Ramzan.”

Stating that experimental fasting has been shown to alter the sleep-wakefulness pattern 
in various animals, Prof Ahmed points out that as fasting during Ramzan is distinct from 
experimental fasting, the physiological and behavioural changes occurring during Ramzan 
fasting may differ from those occurring during experimental fasting.

An interesting aspect about Ramzan research findings so far is that despite changes in 
the release of various hormones the month-long fasting and late night prayers do not 
negatively affect one’s health. However, researchers have cautioned patients with kidney 
and heart issues against fasting. The caution also applies to diabetics, whose blood 
sugar is out of control quite frequently.

“I do not advice patients with severe renal problems to fast. It causes harm to the 
kidneys as the body is deprived of water supply for prolong hours. Fasting, however, 
helps the kidneys function better if the person is healthy and without any health 
issues,” points out Dr Mohammad Abdul Rafay, kidney specialist at Apollo hospitals.

Doctors say cortisol hormone returns to normal condition within a month after the fasting 
concludes. Fasting also does not affect the level of brain activation during cognitive 
tasks, according to researcher Dr Munir C Muhammad. Prolonged fasting results in a number 
of small changes in metabolism and hormonal secretions. But this is harmless for healthy 
individuals.

Post Ramzan health tips

-
* Do not take sleeping pills to beat insomnia

* Consult physician in case you do not get sleep during nights

* Gradually shift in diet as the body does not cope up with sudden dietary changes

* Diabetics and kidney patients, who kept fast, should consult their doctor for post 
Ramzan examination

Interview with Asaduddin Owaisi: Only reservations will uplift Muslims, make India a stronger nation

Interviews with Asaduddin Owaisi, Member of Parliament & president, All India Majlis
Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)
==========

The AP High Court’s order striking down 4.5 per cent sub-quota for
backward classes among minorities within the 27 per cent OBC quota has
come as a bolt from the blue for Muslims. The first major benefit of
the sub-quota was the qualification of about 400 candidates belonging
to Muslim, Christian and other minority communities in the IIT
entrance examination. This is the highest ever number of qualified
candidates from these communities. The court’s order, however, has hit
their high morale.

Asaduddin Owaisi, Hyderabad MP and president of All India Majlis
Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), blames the Centre for its poor legal
homework and argues that only reservations will help Muslims come up
the socio-economic ladder. In an exclusive interview with Syed Akbar,
he says Muslims have come out of emotive issues and they will not
believe the cosmetic promises of political parties. Muslims do not
need the post of the President or other Constitutional posts. They
need guaranteed education and employment. He further argues that quota
for Muslims will make India stronger, and the Congress, which had
ruled the country for the maximum period, should undo the historical
wrongs by ensuring quota for the principal minority community.

He warns that Muslims will be compelled to challenge the legality of
the quota for backward classes among Hindus, if there is continued
opposition to reservations for socially, economically and
educationally backward classes among Muslims.

Excerpts from the interview:


Q. Why do Muslims need reservations?

A. Muslims need quota for a number of reasons. First, when the
Constitution was being drafted, the issue of definition of backward
classes arose. One of the members of the Constituent Assembly asked
whether BCs include minorities. Sardar Patel said in the affirmative.

Secondly, to fulfill social justice. Thirdly, empirical data of Sachar
Committee and Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission show that Muslims
are socially and educationally backward.

Fourth, the argument that quota should not be based on religion is
wrong. Article 341 of Constitution and the 1950 Presidential Order
state that only Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists can be called Dalit. Is
this not based on religion? Article 341 violates the fundamental right
to equality.

Fifth, the quota for Muslims is based on their social, educational and
economic backwardness.

Sixth, Muslims face double competition. They have to compete with
forward classes on one hand, and those, who already enjoy quota, on
the other. The socio-economic indicators of Muslims are worse than
that of Dalits. Muslims make up just two per cent in civil services
and their number is virtually nil in class III and class IV employment.

We are not asking quota for Muslims of my socio-economic strata. We
are asking for quota for those Muslims, who are socially,
educationally and economically backward. Without reservations, Muslims
will not come up. And quota for Muslims will make India stronger.

Q. How would reservations for Muslims make India a strong nation?


A. Quota in education and employment will end the sense of alienation
and discrimination in the principal minority community of the country.
Denial of reservations will only lead to further discrimination and
thus further alienation.

The sub-quota for OBCs among minorities has thrown up about 440 seats
in IITs. For argument sake, if Muslims get even 100 seats it would
have a major psychological and social impact on their families and the
community. Andhra Pradesh is the biggest example of socio-economic
uplift of Muslims through quota. Thanks to reservations, thousands of
Muslims are studying medicine, dental, engineering, pharmacy, MCA and
MBA courses. All of them will contribute to the development of the
country.


Q. Are not Muslims responsible for their backwardness?

A. I agree. But the main responsibility lies in the ruling class. Many
Muslims live in ghettoes. They do not have basic civic amenities. They
are being targeted on false charges of terrorism. Justice is not done
to the community. Muslims on their part should do some introspection.

Right now, the agenda is security and development. The community has
moved away from emotive issues, signaling political parties not to
indulge in cosmetic promises.

We do not want the post of the President or other Constitutional
posts. We want education and employment. We want to see our children
as doctors, engineers, and scientists.

Q. Courts have constantly been striking down quota for Muslims. Do you
feel that the government has not done its homework properly?

A. In the 4.5 per cent sub-quota case, the AP High Court has clearly
indicated in paragraph 49 of its judgment that the assistant
solicitor-general has failed to provide data on minority backwardness.

In 1984-85, the AP government included 93 classes in the BC list
through a half page recommendation by the BC Commission. The case of
Muslim backwardness has been presented in about 350 pages. I
respectfully beg to differ from the court judgment. It is not a new
quota. No new backward classes were added to the existing list. The
Centre has created a sub-quota of 4.5 per cent for OBCs belonging to
minority communities already included in the list.

Q. Do you feel that amending Constitution will help Muslims get a
secured quota?

A. There is no need for Constitutional amendment. Had it been so,
Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission and others would have recommended
it. The government needs to put forward all the data before court. The
Centre did not apply its mind.

The 4.5 per cent quota is insufficient. Justice Ranganath Mishra
Commission had recommended 15 per cent quota for minorities including
10 per cent quota for Muslims. It had suggested at least eight per
cent quota for Muslims and two per cent for other minorities.

Q. What are the loopholes the government needs to fix to make Muslim
quota legally valid?


A. The government should do more homework. Quota for Muslims is
bitterly disliked by the Sangh Parivar. When there is a formidable
opponent, the government should proceed with extreme caution. There
should be no loopholes. While moving the special leave petition, the
Central government should get all the relevant data and scientifically
present it before court.

When the Centre came up with scholarship scheme for Muslims, the Sangh
Parivar had challenged it. But the court had upheld the scheme. What
we need is proper presentation of the case before court.

If quota for Muslims is continuously challenged, Muslims will
challenge the legality of BC quota, as there is no empirical data. The
National Commission for Backward Classes has not done a periodic review.

If the Congress fails to deliver the quota, it will become an
albatross around its neck. The general complaint is that the Congress
ruled the country for a very long time. To dispel or undo all
historical wrongs, it is the best opportunity for the Congress.

Through a simple majority, the 1950 Presidential Order can be amended
to include Muslims and Christians in the definition of the term, Dalit.

Earthquake vulnerability studies of Jama Masjid, Delhi: Mosque's minarets and domes at threat

Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, March 5: The imposing minarets of the historic Jama Masjid in Delhi as also 
the domes of the mosque will receive the maximum stress in case an earthquake strikes the 
national capital region or northern parts of India.

In a first-ever earthquake model for the Jama Masjid, India’s biggest mosque built by 
Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan during 1644-1658 CE, the city-based International Institute of 
Information Technology (IIIT-Hyderabad) has noticed that the stress concentration at the 
centre of the minarets is more. When earthquake occurs, mainly the minarets are prone to 
damage. Jama Masjid falls under earthquake zone IV.

A student of IIIT-H, Mr Prasanna Kumar under the guidance of Dr D Neelima Satyam, 
assistant professor, has developed three-dimensional numerical model of this historical 
structure by considering actual material properties.

The vulnerability of the structure is assessed considering site-specific properties of 
the strata. The peak ground acceleration at the surface has been estimated using finite 
fault simulation technique and dynamic analysis is done considering 2001 Bhuj earthquake 
(7.7 magnitude) data as the input.

The effects of local soils were also considered and detailed soil structure interaction 
analysis has been carried out. The IIIT-H team also found that stress concentration near 
top and base of the minarets is more. The stress concentration is more on left edge of 
middle dome and on the left edges of two small domes. In the model plan, area of the 
Masjid is taken as 80mx27m and three domes were modeled, while each minaret is taken as 
41m.

The results obtained predicted the stress concentration, cracks propagation or damage 
under seismic loads. Such studies are essential to estimate the structural health and for 
adopting retrofitting procedures.

Jama Masjid, originally called Masjid-e-jahan-numa (mosque commanding view of the world) 
is one of the last architectural works of the Shah Jahan. The Masjid has three great 
gates, four towers and two 40 m-high minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and 
white marble.

The mosque is about 261 feet (80 m) long and 90 feet (27 m) wide, and its roof is covered 
with three domes with alternate stripes of black and white marble, with its topmost parts 
covered with gold. Two lofty minarets, 130 feet (41 m) high, and containing 130 steps, 
longitudinally striped with white marble and red sandstone, flank the domes on either 
side.

Wakf Board finally decides to issue notices to encroachers

Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, Oct 18: The State Wakf Board has decided to issue notices
to about 200 illegal occupants of Wakf properties as part of its drive
to crack whip against encroachers and illegal constructions.

Wakf Board chairman Ghulam Afzal Biyabani (Khusro Pasha) told
reporters here on Tuesday that the board had identified illegal
constructions on Wakf properties and legal notices would be issued to
the violators. "We will evict encroachers and develop Wakf properties
on build, operate and transfer basis. As many as 10 properties in twin
cities have been identified for construction of multi-storeyed
buildings," he said.

Afzal Biyabani said the board will also issue legal notices to 2162
defaulters who have not been paying rents to the board for many years.
The rent being collected from 300 tenants would be increased. All
these measures will improve the Wakf revenue from the existing Rs 38
lakh to Rs 66.64 lakh.

Referring to the land lying vacant on the north side of the State Haj
House, he said tenders have been invited for construction of a
multi-storeyed building on the site. The board will institute gold
medals in the names of Muslim saints.

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.

Diamond market in old Golconda: The Nizam had 350 kgs of diamonds

By Syed Akbar
The walled city of Golconda had a flourishing diamond market of world
repute, though diamonds were never mined in or around Golconda or
modern Hyderabad. All the diamonds, now popular as "Golconda
diamonds",  were mined in Krishna, Guntur, Kurnool and Anantapur
districts. The Krishna valley was the heart of the "Golconda diamonds".

The so-called Golconda mines had producted 12 million carats of
diamonds of varying sizes till 1890s when mining was stopped after it
was found to be uneconomical. The Nizam VII, Mir Osman Ali Khan, had a
personal collection of 350 kgs of diamonds, mostly mined in the
present day  Andhra Pradesh.

One of the diamonds associated with Golconda, the Nizam Diamond,
weighs 277 carats, the world's third largest diamond. But mystery
continues to surround its whereabouts. The diamond was last seen in
the Nizam's treasury in late 1940s. Since then no one knows in whose
custody it is. The Nizam diamond has never been put up for auction in
any of the international auction centres.

"Hyderabad diamond markegt was famous for its plain cushon and
imperial cushon cut diamonds. They are round and valued for their
rarity and opulence. The diamonds now being auctioned in Hong Kong
perhaps belongs to the rulers of the Hyderabad Dominion and a 23 carat
diamond for an ear pendant is sufficiently large," said city historian
Dr Muhammad Safiullah.

Ramzan in Hyderabad provides livelihood for thousands of migrant workers from north India

Syed Akbar
Hyderabad: For Hyderabadis Ramzan is the month of iftaar parties and haleem. But what many do not know is that it is also the month of migration and decent earning for thousands of poor labour. Come
Ramzan and nearly a lakh workers from different parts of the country, particularly the Northeast, descend on the city to eke out a living.
Workers from Manipur, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are hired for a month in hotels, shops, mosques, vermicelli, bangle and goldsmith units and haleem outlets on daily wages ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 350. Since Ramzan time is a day-night affair in Hyderabad, most of the labour prefer to work double shifts and pocket almost Rs 700 a day. An average labourer takes home at least Rs 15,000 after a month's work in the city during Ramzan, while some enterprising workers earn enough for a year. Apart from the daily wages, they earn a handsome amount in the form of tips from customers.
To cope up with the extra rush hotels and haleem outlets engage workers on temporary basis. This year about 10,000 workers were hired by restaurants, most of which work round-the-clock during the
Muslim holy month. Hundreds of special haleem units spring up at street corners and busy road junctions during the month. The remaining migrant labour have settled in different works including footpath marketing, a roaring business during Ramzan near Charminar in the old city.
"Hyderabad is fast emerging as a hub of migration during Ramzan. It's quite common for the poor to move to big cities and towns seeking charity during this month. But of late, with economy going up, many poor people are preferring Hyderabad for temporary employment, rather than seeking charity. Our estimates show that around 10,000 workers from the Northeast, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have joined haleem joints and restaurants," says Mohammad Saleem, president of twin cities hoteliers' association.
Lack of work and employment opportunities is said to be forcing the labour from north and north-east India to turn to Hyderabad. The average daily wage they get in their native States do not cross Rs 100,
which means an income of Rs 3000 if they find employment for a month. In contrast, they earn at least five times more in Hyderabad during Ramzan. There are also agents who bring labour to the city and earn commission from hoteliers and shopkeepers.
"We hire dozens of workers, mostly from the north, in our special haleem outlets. We prefer outsiders because they work with dedication. Interestingly, some of them have mastered the art of cooking Hyderabadi dishes. Their income from tips is more than the wages we pay them," observes MA Majeed of Pista House restaurant.
According to social worker Rafia Nausheen, whose organisation Mahita works in slum areas, Ramzan provides livelihood to hundreds of local children too, who otherwise spend time playing on streets.
"These children earn Rs 100 each daily. Since the work they do is not hazardous, we encourage them. Children of migrant labour too are engaged in mobile marketing. They market on platforms ready-made
garments of local shopkeepers and earn a handsome commission," she points out.
Those who have been observing migrant labour from close quarters reveal that around 10 per cent of these workers prefer to settle down in Hyderabad after Ramzan. They are employed at construction workers
in the city outskirts. Says sociologist SS Hussain, "builders generally prefer labour from north India as they report to duty at 7.00 am and work till 6.00 pm, full two hours extra than the local labour. Ramzan in
a way not only helps the poor earn a little more, but also provides them the means of livelihood even after it concludes."
Though nearly a lakh migrant workers throng the city in Ramzan, they do not find the problem of accommodation. While some of them stay in restaurants where they work, most of them settle down in "baadas" in the old city. Since four or five workers share the small tenement, they save on the rent too.
Besides migration labour, Ramzan also witnesses the "migration" of religious scholars who recite the Holy Quran byheart. "A few years ago, hundreds of Hafizs from north India used to lead the special Taravih prayers in mosques. They used to earn quite a good amount at the end of the month. Local devotee too used to give them monetary gifts. But now that Hyderabad itself is producing Hafizs, our scholars are going to other areas to conduct Taravih prayers," says Syed Fazil Hussain Parvez, who edits the Urdu weekly, Gawaah.
There's also a kind of migration from the city. Representatives of madarasas and charitable organisations visit the USA, Saudi Arabia, and other countries in the Arabian Gulf to collect donations and Zakat money from the wealthy there. Most of the madarasas in the city run on Zakat funds collected during Ramzan.

--------------------------------------------
Iftaar parties dwindling in numbers
-------------------------------------------

Iftaar parties are fast dwindling in numbers with the city's Muslim elite preferring charity rather than hosting lavish parties to break the Ramzan fast.
Till a few years ago Hyderabad was a sort of epicentre of Iftaar parties in the country with the high and mighty vying with one another to exhibit their financial prowess. Thanks to intervention of the religious
leaders, most of them now prefer to distribute the money, which they plan to spent on iftaar parties, among the poor and the needy.
Even the moderately rich, who used to host iftaar in mosques, are gradually turning away from the tradition. According to rough estimates, Hyderabad used to spend about Rs 100 crore on iftaar parties untill a couple of years ago. Now much of this money is going towards charity in slums in the city and rural areas in the interiors of Telangana.
Educationist and philanthropist Ghayasuddin Babukhan, who runs the Hyderabad Zakat and Charitable Trust, has decided to provide "Ramzan aid" to about 12,000 families living in villages. The Ramzan
aid is a package that includes new clothes, groceries and dry fruits for breaking the fast. The trust plans to spend Rs 2 crore on charity.
In fact, the Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen broke the tradition of iftaar parties in the city. It has not been hosting iftaar for quite a few years and the money it thus saves is being spent on providing groceries to poor families. "The State government too should stop hosting iftaar and spend the money on scholarships for Muslim students," argues MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.
Says Mufti Syed Sadiq Mohiuddin, "the original aim of hosting iftaar parties was to promote communal harmony and friendship among people. But they gradually turned into shows of strength and political
gathering, defeating the original idea behind the event."