Nawab Asman Jah Bahadur

Biography

His Excellency Amir e Paigah Basheer-Ud-daula Azam-Ul-Umra Amir-e-Akbar Nawab Sir Muhammad Mazharuddin Khan Bahadur Rifa’at Jang (1839 – 18 July 1898), commonly known as Sir Asman Jah or Nawab Sir Asman Jah Bahadur, he was an Indian nobleman and a member of the Paigah family who served as prime minister of Hyderabad from 1887 to 1894. As the grandson of the prominent nobleman Fakhr Uddin Khan Amir e Kabir Shams-ul-Umra I and a princess, he was born into a high social position. However, it was his personal qualities, largely inherited from his grandfather, that brought him to the forefront. Naturally gifted and excelling in all manly pursuits, he easily took the lead among his peers. However, it was his mental and moral qualities that attracted the attention of his royal master when the young noble was still in his early adulthood. He showed such promise that His Highness the Afzal-ud-Daulah gave him his daughter in marriage and bestowed upon him the highest distinction in his gift: the title of Jah.

Asman Jah began his public career as Minister of Justice in 1869. Shortly afterwards, while still retaining the Justice portfolio, he served as prime minister and co-regent. He then became a member of the Council of Regency and, finally, in 1887, he was appointed Prime Minister, a position he held until 1893. Throughout his long official career, Sir Asman Jah refused to accept a salary or the emoluments of office. His premiership was characterised by several reforms, particularly in education and the provision of state-funded medical care, especially for women, as well as the establishment of a permanent Board of Irrigation and city water supply, which has since provided excellent service to the state.

Asman Jah was in London when he received news of his appointment as Prime Minister, with one of the first to congratulate him being King Edward VII (then the Prince of Wales). Asman Jah built several structures throughout the city, including the Asman Garh, Basheer Bagh, Saroor Nagar and Mahboob Chowk palaces, as well as the clock tower at Mahboob Chowk. Prior to his premiership, he was sent by His Highness Nizam Mahboob Ali Khan in 1887 to represent him at Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in London. While in England, he won widespread acclaim for the tact, savoir faire and breeding he displayed. His handsome presence, imposing stature, and polished manner impressed all classes of English society, and he became a favourite in court circles. Indeed, the late Nizam could not have had a more dignified or worthy representative.