Glorious Past of Nizam’s Era Showcased: Restored Nizam Museum Inaugurated on Mukarram Jah’s 90th Birth Anniversary

Hyderabad, October 6: In a grand tribute to the illustrious Nizams of Hyderabad, the recently restored segment of the Nizam Museum, which also features the wardrobe of the Sixth Nizam Nawab Mir Mahbub Ali Khan Bahadur, considered the world’s largest, was inaugurated today. The event was observed as part of the 90th birth anniversary celebrations of the Late H.E.H. Mukarram Jah Bahadur, the Eighth Nizam of Hyderabad.

The magnificent walk-in wardrobe of H.H. Nawab Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, the Sixth Nizam of Hyderabad (1869-1911), stands as a global wonder— a pair of colossal wardrobes on each side, each stretching 176 feet in length, meticulously crafted from the finest Burma teak. It has a second-level array of cabinets that also houses the Nizam’s footwear, preserved and restored after chemical cleansing to their pristine form. The Nizam’s Museum is housed within the historic Purani Haveli Palace and boasts a treasure trove of artifacts from the Nizam’s era. Among these priceless items are the Nizam’s personal collection of perfumes, the world’s largest natural Basra pearl, his unparalleled walk-in wardrobe with garments worn by the Nizam himself, an assortment of Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi coins, intricate silver models of Osmania University, Public Gardens, Lakdi Ka Pul, Himayat Sagar and the Soan River bridge, as well as a captivating array of silverware, swords, letter scrolls, and gifts that once graced the Nizam’s presence.

Addressing the audience as the Chief Guest for the Founder’s Day celebration of Mukarram Jah School, Mr. A. K. Khan, I.P.S. (Retd.), Advisor to the Government of Telangana for Minority Affairs, paid a heartfelt homage to the erstwhile rulers of Hyderabad while appreciating their unflinching commitment to secular values and education-centric initiatives. He recounted the visionary decision of the Seventh Nizam Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan, who, during the construction of Osmania University, insisted on a design free from religious symbolism, signifying his commitment to secular education. Mr. Khan also lauded the early establishment of Hyderabad State as an educational leader, with Osmania University being a remarkable testament to that era.

His historical insights evoked the glorious era of the erstwhile Hyderabad, which he compared favorably to other cities like Delhi and Mumbai whose glory paled before the educational and progressive initiatives that were taking place in various fields in Hyderabad at that time. He recounted the vital contributions of the Nizams, particularly the founding of Osmania University, at a time when universities of such stature did not exist in India. He also highlighted Hyderabad’s role in medical advancements such as the use of chloroform and malaria research, the latter leading to a Nobel Prize.

Mr. A. Shyam Mohan, Chairman of Forum for Democracy & Global Peace, Emeritus Chairman of Quality Circle Forum of India, who graced the event as Guest of Honour, commended the school’s commitment to maintaining educational excellence while preserving Hyderabad’s culture and heritage, citing Gandhi’s famous quote on the transformative power of education. Mr. Mohan has also served as the President of the Hyderabad Management Association in the past.

The event was hosted by Mukarram Jah Trust for Education & Learning, led by Mr. M. A. Faiz Khan and Mr. Faiz Bin Jung, grandson of Nawab Wali-ud-Dowla on his father’s side and Nawab of Pataudi and Begum of Bhopal on his mother’s side. The Founders Day was organized by Mr. Andiappan Lt. Col. (Retd.), the Secretary, along with Principal Mrs. Rekha Wadha and Academic Advisor Mrs. Kausar Sayeed, who shared the school’s remarkable performance, which recently earned it the ranking of India’s No.1 School by Education World for two consecutive years. Nawab Faiz Khan’s wife, Nida, the granddaughter of Major General Nawab Khusru Jung, who served as the Prime Minister of Kashmir was also present on this occasion.

The Eighth Nizam of Hyderabad, Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur, exhibited profound dedication to education and contributed substantially to the betterment of Hyderabad. Notably, he allocated a significant portion of his personal properties, including Purani Haveli—an ensemble of eight Mahals—and the Masarath Mahal Palace, for educational and learning purposes. He deeply cared for Hyderabad and wanted to provide accessible education to its people.

Mr. Faiz Khan announced that a state-of-the-art sports arena within the historic Purani Haveli campus will soon provide students with a holistic educational experience. Decoding his vision for the school, he emphasized the importance of enhancing its architectural and digital infrastructure on par with leading global schools. 

Expressing contentment with his student’s academic accomplishments, he emphasized the crucial role of teachers in shaping not only education but also the moral foundation of the young generation. He underscored the significance of nurturing the mental well-being of students, promoting 21st-century skills, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, civic sense, and happiness in a world filled with competition, peer pressure, and unfiltered information. Nawab Faiz Khan also conveyed the best wishes of Princess Esra Birgen Jah, who couldn’t be present at the event but shared her warm regards with the school management and students.

The Principal, Mrs. Rekha Wadha, presented the school’s annual performance report, while students took the stage to express their gratitude for the school and its educators. Top-performing students were honored with certificates and awards, and teachers who contributed to 100% results in various subjects received well-deserved accolades.

Currently, the Mukarram Jah School has over 3,000 students following the ICSE syllabus, and over 200 teachers and staff members.