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
Syed Khaled Shahbaaz | Clarion India
HYDERABAD – The Nizam Museum, which showcases the incredible legacy of the Nizams, opened its doors this Friday on the 90th birth anniversary of the Late H.E.H. Mukarram Jah Bahadur, the Eighth Nizam of Hyderabad.
Located in the Purani Haveli Palace (Nizam’s Museum), the wardrobe was inaugurated by former Hyderabad police commissioner AK Khan, who is currently an advisor to the Telangana government for Minority Affairs.
The grand event included the unveiling of the meticulously restored section of the museum, featuring the extensive wardrobe of Nawab Mir Mahbub Ali Khan Bahadur (1869-1911), the Sixth Nizam, renowned as the world’s largest collection.
The Walk-in Wardrobe
The magnificent walk-in wardrobe 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 house the Nizam’s footwear, preserved and restored after chemical cleansing to their pristine form.
The Nizam’s Museum is a testament to the opulence and grandeur of the Nizam’s era in Hyderabad. Among these priceless items, the museum houses 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.
It is said that 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.
Secular, education-centric approaches of Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan
Paying his heartfelt homage to the erstwhile rulers of Hyderabad, Khan also praised their unwavering dedication to secular values and education-centric initiatives. On the occasion, he highlighted in particular the vision of Seventh Nizam Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan, who ensured that the design of Osmania University was devoid of any religious symbols. Khan also praised the early development of Hyderabad State as a leading education hub, with Osmania University serving as an exceptional example of 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.
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 the Mukarram Jah Trust for Education & Learning, which is led by Mr. Mohammed Abul Faiz Khan. His great-grandfather, Nawab Sir Viqar ul Umra, built the Falaknuma Palace. Another prominent figure present was Faiz Bin Jung, a member of the Paigah family. On his father’s side, he is the grandson of Nawab Wali-ud-Dowla, and on his mother’s side, he is related to the Nawab of Pataudi and Begum of Bhopal.
Founders Day was organized by Andiappan Lt. Col. (Retd.), the Secretary, alongside Principal Mrs. Rekha Wadha and Academic Advisor Mrs. Kausar Sayeed. They highlighted the school’s exceptional achievements, which recently led to it being ranked as India’s No.1 School by Education World for two consecutive years. Mrs. Nida Khan, wife of Nawab Faiz Khan and granddaughter of Major General Nawab Khusru Jung, who served as the Prime Minister of Kashmir, was present at the event.
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. He 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.