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History of Hyderabad
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The city of Hyderabad is an historic city noted
for its many monuments, temples, churches,
mosques, and
bazaars. A multitude of influences has shaped the character of
the city in the last 400 years.
The city is changing its role and outlook as part of the booming service industry
revolution, and is trying to preserve and popularize its history.
Before the city was founded
Ancient history
The area around Hyderabad was ruled by the Mauryan Empire in the third century B.C
during the reign of Ashoka.
Medieval history
Various Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms ruled the area during the subsequent centuries.
The area was ruled by the Kalyani branch of the Chalukya kings. When the Chalukya
kingdom became weaker, Kakatiyas, who were feudal chieftains
of Chalukya, declared independence and setup their kingdom around Warangal. The fall
of Warangal to Muhammad bin Tughluq's forces from the Delhi Sultanate
in 1321 AD brought anarchy to the region. For the next few decades, the Bahmani Sultanate
of the Deccan fought the Musunuri Nayakas on the north and the Vijayanagara Rayas
on the south for control of the region. By the middle of the 15th century, the region
was under the firm control of the Bahmani Sultanate which controlled the Deccan
north of the Krishna River from coast to coast.
The Qutb Shahis
The Golconda Sultanate
In 1463,
Sultan Mohammad Shah Bahmani dispatched Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk
to the Telangana region to quell disturbances. Sultan Quli quelled the disturbance and was rewarded
as the administrato r of the region. He established a base at Kakatiya
hill fortress of Golconda which he strengthened and expanded considerably. By the
end of the century, Quli ruled from Golconda as the Subedar of Telangana. Quli enjoyed
virtual independence from Bidar, where the Bahmani sultanate was then based. In 1518, he declared
independence from the Bahmani Sultanate and established the Golconda Sultanate under
the title Sultan Quli Qutub Shah. This was the start of the Qutb Shahi
Dynasty. The Bahmani Sultanate disintegrated into five different kingdoms, with
the others based in Ahmednagar, Berar, Bidar
and Bijapur.
The Founding of a New City
Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah of Qutub Shahi dynasty, built the city of Hyderabad {formerly
known as Bhagyanagar} on the Musi River,five miles (8 km) east of Golconda in 1589
and dedicated it to his beloved Hindu wife Bhagyamathi (popularly known as Bhagmathi)
He also ordered the construction of the Char Minar, the iconic
monument of the city, in 1591, reportedly in gratitude to the almighty for arresting
a plague epidemic before it did irreversible damage to his new city. The Purana
Pul ("old bridge") spanning the Musi was built a few years earlier, enabling quick
travel between Golconda and Hyderabad.
Legend has it that the bridge was built by Mohammad Quli's father Ibrahim Quli Qutub
Shah so his son's life would not be endangered when he went to visit his future
wife during the monsoon months.
The New City Flourishes
The early history of Hyderabad is inextricably intertwined with the history of the
Qutb Shahi dynasty. As Qutb Shahi power and fortune rose during the
16th and early 17th centuries, Hyderabad became a center of a vibrant diamond trade.
All seven Qutb Shahi sultans were patrons of learning and were great builders. They
contributed to the growth and development of Indo-Persian
and Indo-Islamic
literature and culture in Hyderabad. Some of the sultans were known as patrons of
local Telugu culture as well. During the Qutb Shahi reign Golconda became one of
the leading markets in the world for diamonds, pearls, steel, arms, and also
printed fabric. In the 16th century the city grew to accommodate the surplus population
of Golconda
and eventually became the capital of the Qutb Shahi rulers. Hyderabad became known
for its gardens (called baghs) and its comfortable climate. Visitors from other
lands compared the city most to the beautiful city of Isfahan in Iran.
Mughal conquest and rule
The Beginning of the End
of the Mughal Empire
By the mid-17th century, politics in the Deccan were ready for yet another tectonic
shift. Mughal prince
Aurangzeb spent most of his time in the Deccan fighting local
Hindu and Muslim kingdoms to establish and enforce Mughal Sovereignty. The rise
of Maratha
power under Shivaji
kept the Mughals constantly challenged. After the death of Shah Jahan in 1666,
Aurangzeb consolidated his power in Delhi as Emperor and returned to the south.
He spent most of his imperial reign in military camps in the Deccan, in an almost
desperate campaign to expand the empire beyond the greatest extent it had reached
under Akbar. The biggest prize in his eyes was the rich city of Hyderabad,
protected by the reportedly impregnable fort of Golconda.
Hyderabad Falls to the Mughals
Aurangzeb laid siege to Golconda in 1686. Golconda held fast under months of siege,
and Aurangzeb had to retreat in frustration. Aurangzeb returned in 1687 and laid
siege for 9 months camping in the Fateh Maidan ("victory field," now the Lal Bahadur
Stadium). Local legend has it that the fortress held on, but the gates were opened
at night by a saboteur who was bribed by Aurangzeb. Sultan Abul Hassan Tana Shah,
the seventh king of the dynasty, was taken prisoner. Hyderabad's independence was
eclipsed. Aurangzeb's efforts would turn out largely in vain, with Hyderabad remaining
in Mughal hands for less than four decades.
For a few decades, Hyderabad declined, and its vibrant diamond trade was all but
destroyed. Aurangzeb's attention moved away quickly to other parts of the Deccan,
with the Marathas slowly but steadily gaining ground against the Mughals.
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The Asaf Jahis
Viceroys Become Kings
With the emaciation of the Mughal Empire after Aurangzeb's death in 1707, the Mughal-app ointed
governors of Hyderabad gained more autonomy from Delhi. In 1724, Asaf Jah I,
who was granted the title
Nizam-ul-Mulk ("governor of the country") by the Mughal emperor,
defeated a rival official to establish control over Hyderabad. Thus began the Asaf
Jahi dynasty that would rule Hyderabad until a year after India's independence from
Britain.
Hyderabad Starts Growing
Again
Asaf Jah's successors ruled as
Nizams of Hyderabad. The rule of the seven Nizams saw the growth
of Hyderabad both culturally and economically. Hyderabad became the formal capital
of the kingdom and Golconda, the former capital, was all but abandoned. Huge reservoirs, like the Nizam Sagar, Tungabhadra,
Osman Sagar,
Himayat
Sagar, and others were built. Survey work on Nagarjuna Sagar
had also begun during this time.
A Delicate Balancing Game
When the
British and the
French spread their hold over the country, successive Nizams
won their friendship without bequeathing their power. The Nizams allied themselves
with each side at different times, playing a significant role in the wars involving
Tipu Sultan of
Mysore, the British and the French. During the reign of the third
Nizam, Sikandar Jah, the city of Secunderabad
was founded to station French troops and subsequently, British troops. The British
stationed a
Resident at Hyderabad and their own troops at Secunderabad, but the
state continued to be ruled by the Nizam. Hyderabad, under the Nizams, was the largest
princely
state in
India, with an area larger than England, Scotland and Wales combined. It was
considered the "senior-most" princely-state, and within the elaborate protocols
of the Raj, its ruler the Nizam was accorded a 21-gun salute. The State had its
own currency,
mint,
railways, and
postal system. There was no income tax.
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Surrounded, Isolated but well Governed
From a bankrupt state The seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan,
made it into the wealthiest state in the sub-continent. He was considered the world's
richest man (Time cover story Feb. 22, 1937), and he was famous for patronage to
learning and institutions. Some eccentricities included the use the 400 carat (80
g)
Jacob Diamond as a paperweight.
Mir Osman Ali Khan founded number of institutions
the world over including the eponym ous Osmania General Hospital and Osmania University
-- the first modern university to teach in an Indian language (Urdu and many others).
Above all there was total harmony[citation
needed]. There was never a riot[citation
needed]. People lived in total
peace and harmony in the upwardly mobile composite Hindu Muslim fraternal society[citation
needed]. The law prevailed[citation
needed]. No one including the
ruler was above the law and the state and judiciary was separate.[citation
needed]
Integration into Indian Union
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See also: Telengana Rebellion
When India gained independence in 1947, the Nizam declared his intention to remain
independent, either as a sovereign ruler or by acquiring Dominion status within
the British Empire. In order to keep essential trade and supplies flowing,
he signed a Standstill Agreement with the Indian Union which
surrounded him on all sides. The law and order situation soon deteriorated, with
escalating violence between the private Razakar army fighting for continuation of
the Nizam's rule and the people with the support of the Congress
leaders like Swami Ramanand Tirtha and the communists of
Telangana,
were fighting for joining in the Indian Union. As the violence spiraled out of control
with refugees flowing into the coastal Andhra region of the Madras
state of India, the Indian Government under Home Minister Sardar Patel
initiated a police action titled Operation Polo.
On September 16, 1948, Indian Army moved in to Hyderabad State from five fronts.
Four days later, the Hyderabad forces surrendered. The number of dead was a little
over 800. The Police Action achieved success within a matter of days.
The Nizam finally surrendered and signed the Instrument of Accession
to the Indian Union and Hyderabad was integrated into the Indian Union
as a [[states and territories of India|state]
Hyderabad's Contribution
to Pakistan
The Nizam of Hyderabad remained a staunch supporter of Pakistan. Upon the creation of Pakistan on August
14, 1947, the Nizam was isolated since the State of Hyderabad
was surrounded by the newly independent Republic of India. Under these conditions,
the Nizam could not declare accession to Pakistan out of fear that India would invade
the State of Hyderabad which it did a year
later.
During this period, the new state of Pakistan had tremendous financial problems
as India had not released Pakistan's share to it in hopes that Pakistan would collapse
economically.
Recalling the incidents of that period, Mr. Farooq Ahmed Khan, Retired Deputy Inspector
General of Police recalls some of the most important incidents of this episode stating
"Not many people know that at the time when Pakistan came into existence in 1947;
and before the fall of Hyderabad, due to unprovoked Indian military aggression in
1948. The Government of Pakistan had to start a new country from scratch. And India
had purposely not given the share, which Pakistan was supposed to get under the
“Partition Agreement”; because in the beginning Pakistan did not even have the money
to pay the salaries of the Government officers and employees. Although the morale
of the people was high, and the people were ready to make sacrifices for the new
country, which they had aspired for, and had now finally become a reality. At that
critical period, it was Hyderabad State, which came forward to help Pakistan, and
rescue the country from bankruptcy or collapse.
"For this purpose, a novel scheme was implemented. An adventurous British commercial
pilot was contacted and engaged in his private capacity to secretly fly loads of
gold from Hyderabad to Pakistan, eluding the Indian planes, which could have stopped
the flight or shut down the plane.
"This rescue project for Pakistan was the idea of Qasim Rizvi, the leader, who was
then in power in Hyderabad. Nizam had also given his consent for this noble action,
undertaken at great risk.
"Fortunately this scheme worked, which helped to keep going the newly formed Pakistan.
Needless to say, that this invaluable and timely help from Hyderabad to Pakistan,
at such a critical juncture, cannot be forgotten."[1]
The most famous case still pending in the UK in this regard relates to the 1,007,940
pounds sterling that the Nizam had transferred through the National Westminster
Bank in 1948 favouring the Pakistan High Commissioner in London Mr. H.I. Rahimtoola.
This money is now worth over 30 million pounds sterlin. The Govt of India laid claim
to the money against the claim of the Govt of Pakistan. The case is still sub judice.
2345
Hyderabad State
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Main article: Hyderabad state
The state got its first democractic government and the representatives of its 18
million people were admitted to the Constituent Assembly
drafting a constitution for free India. For the next eight years, Hyderabad continued
as a separate state within the union.
Reorganization of States
and Formation of Andhra Pradesh
On November
1, 1956,
the states of India were reorganized on linguistic grounds. Consequently, the
terrorities of the State of Hyderabad were divided between newly created Andhra Pradesh,
Bombay state (later Maharashtra), and Karnataka. Hyderabad and the
surrounding areas were annexed into India, and later to Andhra Pradesh
based on Telugu linguistic majority, and Hyderabad became the capital of the
new state of
Andhra Pradesh.
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External Links of full Hyderabad
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