Azmet making documentary film on last Nizam
TNN, Mar 14, 2010, 04.26am IST
HYDERABAD: Azmet Jah, the son of Prince Mukarram Jah, is making a documentary film on the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan.
"I am in talks with Lion Television of London. The deal is expected to be sealed once we work out a few more details," he said.
Mir Osman Ali Khan, who ruled Hyderabad from 1911 to 1948, was considered the richest man in the world during his time. Azmet Jah, his great grandson, is an accomplished photographer who has worked with top Hollywood film-makers like Richard Attenborough and Steven Spielberg. He said he believes that there is no authentic documentation of the lives and times of Mir Osman Ali Khan whose Hyderabad was the biggest princely state in the British India.
"The history of Hyderabad is a glorious one and at the same time complex. The seventh Nizam played a key role when India was going through the freedom struggle. The writers have not been fair to him. He is always shown in bad light as a miser stooped with a walking stick in hand. All this is not true. There is lot which has to be brought to public notice," he pointed out.
"I have already interviewed my father and a few other members of my family. Once the deal is done, the pace of filming would automatically pick up. I hope to do it as soon as possible," Azmet Jah who accompanied his father for a brief visit to Hyderabad said.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Nehru had big plans... says Mukarram Jah
Nehru had big plans for me, says Mukarram Jah
Mir Ayoob Ali Khan, TNN, Mar 14, 2010,
HYDERABAD: Prince Mukarram Jah, grandson of the last Nizam of Hyderabad,revealed that India's first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to make him either his personal envoy or the new nation's ambassador at large.
Recalling his association with Nehru, Mukarram Jah said the prime minister treated him like a family member. "I used to stay at his house, eat with him at his table and travel with him. His other family members like Indira Gandhi used to be on the same dining table. Sometimes I felt I was like an ADC (Aide-de-Camp) to him. I was given an Indian military rank; I think it was captain. It was clear that he wanted to use my services, may be as his personal envoy or the country's ambassador, particularly to the Muslim countries," he said during an informal chat with STOI at his Chiran Palace in Jubilee Hills.
According to sources close to the prince, Pandit Nehru felt that the Cambridge educated Mukarram Jah, the grandson and heir apparent of the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan and son of Princess Durru Shehwar, daughter of the last sultan of Turkey, Abdul Majeed, could be best used in presenting the India's position on various issues before foreign countries, especially those in West Asia. "But he could not carry out his plans as the war which broke out with China took away his attention from the subject," the prince said.
Speaking in the presence of Vijay Shankardass, his senior counsel, the prince recalled that his grandfather Mir Osman Ali Khan was a visionary ruler. "He did extra-ordinary work in the fields of education, judiciary, irrigation, and infrastructure to make Hyderabad a modern state. It is time we undertook a thorough objective research to find out his role in his own dominion and Indian affairs at that time," he averred. The prince is of the view that Muslim women should be allowed to wear the headscarf if they wish to do so. "Islam mandates that a lady should cover her head. So why interfere in somebody's religious beliefs? People should be allowed to follow their religion. There should be no interference from the state. Believers __ whether they are Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims or Christians __ should be free to practise their religion which is a private choice," he said and explained that the governance of a state should be kept away from one's own faith.
Prince Mukarram Jah left Hyderabad on Saturday morning for Europe after spending a week in the city. He has promised to return to the city and stay longer. "Yes, I miss Hyderabad a great deal. Get the traffic here in order and I will come and stay more often," he said with a smile on his face.
His son Azmet Jah also flew back with his father. During the stay, the prince visited Mecca Masjid and Golconda Fort. "There are not many mosques in the world as big as Mecca Masjid. The atmosphere there is serene and good for prayers and meditation," he said.
As far as Golconda is concerned, the fort has a special place in his heart. He grew up frequenting the fort, sometimes on horseback, inspecting the cannons mounted on its numerous towers and walls. He particularly remembers the Fateh Rahbar Cannon also known as athara (18) seedhi (stairs) tope. It is one of the biggest cannons he has seen. "I feel sad. They (the visitors) are spoiling the cannons by inscribing their names, words and slogans. There was a long, very long cannon in the Naya Qila (new fort). I don't know whether it is still there or has been mutilated," he wondered.
On his probable role in Hyderabad, if and when he decides to resettle here, he said: "I have no interest in playing a political or administrative role. I would like to meet with people, listen to them and talk to them. But not too frequently; I am in my old age. In my younger days, I used to have a hectic schedule," he said.
Mir Ayoob Ali Khan, TNN, Mar 14, 2010,
HYDERABAD: Prince Mukarram Jah, grandson of the last Nizam of Hyderabad,revealed that India's first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to make him either his personal envoy or the new nation's ambassador at large.
Recalling his association with Nehru, Mukarram Jah said the prime minister treated him like a family member. "I used to stay at his house, eat with him at his table and travel with him. His other family members like Indira Gandhi used to be on the same dining table. Sometimes I felt I was like an ADC (Aide-de-Camp) to him. I was given an Indian military rank; I think it was captain. It was clear that he wanted to use my services, may be as his personal envoy or the country's ambassador, particularly to the Muslim countries," he said during an informal chat with STOI at his Chiran Palace in Jubilee Hills.
According to sources close to the prince, Pandit Nehru felt that the Cambridge educated Mukarram Jah, the grandson and heir apparent of the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan and son of Princess Durru Shehwar, daughter of the last sultan of Turkey, Abdul Majeed, could be best used in presenting the India's position on various issues before foreign countries, especially those in West Asia. "But he could not carry out his plans as the war which broke out with China took away his attention from the subject," the prince said.
Speaking in the presence of Vijay Shankardass, his senior counsel, the prince recalled that his grandfather Mir Osman Ali Khan was a visionary ruler. "He did extra-ordinary work in the fields of education, judiciary, irrigation, and infrastructure to make Hyderabad a modern state. It is time we undertook a thorough objective research to find out his role in his own dominion and Indian affairs at that time," he averred. The prince is of the view that Muslim women should be allowed to wear the headscarf if they wish to do so. "Islam mandates that a lady should cover her head. So why interfere in somebody's religious beliefs? People should be allowed to follow their religion. There should be no interference from the state. Believers __ whether they are Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims or Christians __ should be free to practise their religion which is a private choice," he said and explained that the governance of a state should be kept away from one's own faith.
Prince Mukarram Jah left Hyderabad on Saturday morning for Europe after spending a week in the city. He has promised to return to the city and stay longer. "Yes, I miss Hyderabad a great deal. Get the traffic here in order and I will come and stay more often," he said with a smile on his face.
His son Azmet Jah also flew back with his father. During the stay, the prince visited Mecca Masjid and Golconda Fort. "There are not many mosques in the world as big as Mecca Masjid. The atmosphere there is serene and good for prayers and meditation," he said.
As far as Golconda is concerned, the fort has a special place in his heart. He grew up frequenting the fort, sometimes on horseback, inspecting the cannons mounted on its numerous towers and walls. He particularly remembers the Fateh Rahbar Cannon also known as athara (18) seedhi (stairs) tope. It is one of the biggest cannons he has seen. "I feel sad. They (the visitors) are spoiling the cannons by inscribing their names, words and slogans. There was a long, very long cannon in the Naya Qila (new fort). I don't know whether it is still there or has been mutilated," he wondered.
On his probable role in Hyderabad, if and when he decides to resettle here, he said: "I have no interest in playing a political or administrative role. I would like to meet with people, listen to them and talk to them. But not too frequently; I am in my old age. In my younger days, I used to have a hectic schedule," he said.
Nehru had big plans
Nehru had big plans for me, says Mukarram Jah
Mir Ayoob Ali Khan, TNN, Mar 14, 2010,
HYDERABAD: Prince Mukarram Jah, grandson of the last Nizam of Hyderabad,revealed that India's first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to make him either his personal envoy or the new nation's ambassador at large.
Recalling his association with Nehru, Mukarram Jah said the prime minister treated him like a family member. "I used to stay at his house, eat with him at his table and travel with him. His other family members like Indira Gandhi used to be on the same dining table. Sometimes I felt I was like an ADC (Aide-de-Camp) to him. I was given an Indian military rank; I think it was captain. It was clear that he wanted to use my services, may be as his personal envoy or the country's ambassador, particularly to the Muslim countries," he said during an informal chat with STOI at his Chiran Palace in Jubilee Hills.
According to sources close to the prince, Pandit Nehru felt that the Cambridge educated Mukarram Jah, the grandson and heir apparent of the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan and son of Princess Durru Shehwar, daughter of the last sultan of Turkey, Abdul Majeed, could be best used in presenting the India's position on various issues before foreign countries, especially those in West Asia. "But he could not carry out his plans as the war which broke out with China took away his attention from the subject," the prince said.
Speaking in the presence of Vijay Shankardass, his senior counsel, the prince recalled that his grandfather Mir Osman Ali Khan was a visionary ruler. "He did extra-ordinary work in the fields of education, judiciary, irrigation, and infrastructure to make Hyderabad a modern state. It is time we undertook a thorough objective research to find out his role in his own dominion and Indian affairs at that time," he averred. The prince is of the view that Muslim women should be allowed to wear the headscarf if they wish to do so. "Islam mandates that a lady should cover her head. So why interfere in somebody's religious beliefs? People should be allowed to follow their religion. There should be no interference from the state. Believers __ whether they are Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims or Christians __ should be free to practise their religion which is a private choice," he said and explained that the governance of a state should be kept away from one's own faith.
Prince Mukarram Jah left Hyderabad on Saturday morning for Europe after spending a week in the city. He has promised to return to the city and stay longer. "Yes, I miss Hyderabad a great deal. Get the traffic here in order and I will come and stay more often," he said with a smile on his face.
His son Azmet Jah also flew back with his father. During the stay, the prince visited Mecca Masjid and Golconda Fort. "There are not many mosques in the world as big as Mecca Masjid. The atmosphere there is serene and good for prayers and meditation," he said.
As far as Golconda is concerned, the fort has a special place in his heart. He grew up frequenting the fort, sometimes on horseback, inspecting the cannons mounted on its numerous towers and walls. He particularly remembers the Fateh Rahbar Cannon also known as athara (18) seedhi (stairs) tope. It is one of the biggest cannons he has seen. "I feel sad. They (the visitors) are spoiling the cannons by inscribing their names, words and slogans. There was a long, very long cannon in the Naya Qila (new fort). I don't know whether it is still there or has been mutilated," he wondered.
On his probable role in Hyderabad, if and when he decides to resettle here, he said: "I have no interest in playing a political or administrative role. I would like to meet with people, listen to them and talk to them. But not too frequently; I am in my old age. In my younger days, I used to have a hectic schedule," he said.
Mir Ayoob Ali Khan, TNN, Mar 14, 2010,
HYDERABAD: Prince Mukarram Jah, grandson of the last Nizam of Hyderabad,revealed that India's first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to make him either his personal envoy or the new nation's ambassador at large.
Recalling his association with Nehru, Mukarram Jah said the prime minister treated him like a family member. "I used to stay at his house, eat with him at his table and travel with him. His other family members like Indira Gandhi used to be on the same dining table. Sometimes I felt I was like an ADC (Aide-de-Camp) to him. I was given an Indian military rank; I think it was captain. It was clear that he wanted to use my services, may be as his personal envoy or the country's ambassador, particularly to the Muslim countries," he said during an informal chat with STOI at his Chiran Palace in Jubilee Hills.
According to sources close to the prince, Pandit Nehru felt that the Cambridge educated Mukarram Jah, the grandson and heir apparent of the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan and son of Princess Durru Shehwar, daughter of the last sultan of Turkey, Abdul Majeed, could be best used in presenting the India's position on various issues before foreign countries, especially those in West Asia. "But he could not carry out his plans as the war which broke out with China took away his attention from the subject," the prince said.
Speaking in the presence of Vijay Shankardass, his senior counsel, the prince recalled that his grandfather Mir Osman Ali Khan was a visionary ruler. "He did extra-ordinary work in the fields of education, judiciary, irrigation, and infrastructure to make Hyderabad a modern state. It is time we undertook a thorough objective research to find out his role in his own dominion and Indian affairs at that time," he averred. The prince is of the view that Muslim women should be allowed to wear the headscarf if they wish to do so. "Islam mandates that a lady should cover her head. So why interfere in somebody's religious beliefs? People should be allowed to follow their religion. There should be no interference from the state. Believers __ whether they are Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims or Christians __ should be free to practise their religion which is a private choice," he said and explained that the governance of a state should be kept away from one's own faith.
Prince Mukarram Jah left Hyderabad on Saturday morning for Europe after spending a week in the city. He has promised to return to the city and stay longer. "Yes, I miss Hyderabad a great deal. Get the traffic here in order and I will come and stay more often," he said with a smile on his face.
His son Azmet Jah also flew back with his father. During the stay, the prince visited Mecca Masjid and Golconda Fort. "There are not many mosques in the world as big as Mecca Masjid. The atmosphere there is serene and good for prayers and meditation," he said.
As far as Golconda is concerned, the fort has a special place in his heart. He grew up frequenting the fort, sometimes on horseback, inspecting the cannons mounted on its numerous towers and walls. He particularly remembers the Fateh Rahbar Cannon also known as athara (18) seedhi (stairs) tope. It is one of the biggest cannons he has seen. "I feel sad. They (the visitors) are spoiling the cannons by inscribing their names, words and slogans. There was a long, very long cannon in the Naya Qila (new fort). I don't know whether it is still there or has been mutilated," he wondered.
On his probable role in Hyderabad, if and when he decides to resettle here, he said: "I have no interest in playing a political or administrative role. I would like to meet with people, listen to them and talk to them. But not too frequently; I am in my old age. In my younger days, I used to have a hectic schedule," he said.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Moulana Aqil passes away
Hyderabad, March 12: Eminent Islamic scholar Moulana Hameeduddin Aqil Hussami, who was also a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, passed away here Friday after a brief illness. He was 82.
Moulana Aqil, who was suffering from lung problem for the last few months, was shifted to his house from a hospital Thursday night after his condition turned critical. He breathed his last at around 4.15 a.m. Friday, family sources said.
A view of the huge gathering taking Janaza of Maulana Aqil. (Photo: Mazher)
His 'namaz-e-janaza' (funeral prayer) offered after Friday prayers at the historic Makkah Masjid in Hyderabad and the burial will take place at Hussamia Chaman, his ancestral graveyard in the old city.
The death of the Muslim leader sent shock waves among the community across the state, especially in the Muslim majority old city of Hyderabad. Hundreds of his followers gathered at his house in Panjesha locality to pay their last respects.
One of the key leaders of Muslims in India, Moulana Aqil was the founder head of Jamia Islamia Darul Uloom, a famous seat of Islamic learning in the city.
He was also heading the United Muslim Forum, an apex body of Muslim political and religious organisations, to fight for the interests of the community. It was formed in 2002 to fight against the harassment of innocent Muslim youth by the police.
He was also chairman of Deeni Madaris Federation, which he formed a decade ago to fight the attempts to malign madrassas.
Moulana Aqil and other Muslim leaders, played a key role in the 2004 Andhra Pradesh assembly elections when they declared support to the Congress and extracted a promise from Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy that he would provide reservations to Muslims. After becoming chief minister, Reddy fulfilled the promise.
Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu, Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi and eminent personalities from different walks of life condoled the death of Moulana Aqil.
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