Hyderabad: The Nizams had complete control and were fully aware of how the administration functioned during their reign. The last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, never compromised on quality and provided world-class infrastructure to the people according to architect Khalid Mohiuddin.
Mr Mohiuddin showcased some glimpses of the last Nizam using 120 rare pictures at a talk organised by the Historical Society of Hyderabad (HSH) and Salar Jung Museum.
Mr Mohiuddin said that when the Nizam decided to establish a university, he availed the services of experts and was fully involved in every decision.
He said a competition was held to design the logo of Osmania University which received four entries. Three depicted the Charminar while a logo submitted by Aziz Ali used the first alphabet of the university’s name ‘Osmania’ in Urdu i.e. ayeen. The Nizam approved this logo.
Mr Mohiuddin said a design of the main building, the present Arts College, was drafted keeping in mind the insight of the Nizam and it reflected a combination of Islamic and Hindu architectural styles — the pillars on the ground floor depicting the Hindu style and those on the first floor the Islamic form.
He said Mir Osman Ali Khan was keen to promote local employment. When a proposal was presented before him to award the work of publishing books to a world-renowned publisher, Macintosh, he asked the administration to look for a local printer.
To promote industrial activities he came forward with the idea of holding an exhibition. Numaish-e-Masnuaat-e-Mulki, the first of its kind, was held in 1938 for indigenous manufacturers to showcase products.
Mr Mohiuddin said the Nzam began his day with the blessings of his mother Amat-uz-Zahrunnisa Begum, who lived in Purani Haveli.
He used to travel from King Kothi where he lived to Purani Haveli in a convoy and people used to wait on the roadside to see him.
