The Splendour of Hyderabad

Contents: Preface. I. The physical environment: 1. Location and physical setting of Hyderabad City. 2. Geo-political evolution of Hyderabad State. Part I. Qutb Shahi period (1518-1687): II. The Deccan and the dawn of the Qutb Shahi Kingdom: 1. The Deccan--a nucleus of cultural synthesis. 2. The antecedents of Sultan--Quli and rise to power (1487-1518). 3. The dawn of the Qutb Shahi Kingdom-1518. 4. Sultan--Quli’s successors. III. The foundation of Hyderabad: 1. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (1580-1612). 2. Nomenclature of Hyderabad. 3. Scientific planning of the city and its architecture. 4. Dutch and the English factories in Golconda Kingdom. 5. Growth of the city and travellers account. 6. Principal buildings. IV. Hyderabad under the last Qutb Shahs (1612-1687): 1. Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah. 2. Abdullah Qutb Shah. 3. Abul Hasan Qutb Shah. 4. Fall of Golconda. V. Iran and Golconda-Hyderabad relations. VI. Golconda Fort and Qutb Shahi architecture: 1. The fort. 2. The Tombs. 3. Mosques. 4. Palaces. VII. Paintings and Qalam Kari: 1. Miniature and large size paintings and Qalamkari. VIII. Famous Golconda diamonds. IX. Numismatics: 1. Qutb Shahi coinage. 2. Coins current in Golconda Kingdom. 10. Arms and armour. Part II: Mughal Period (1687-1720): 11. Hyderabad under the Mughal hegemony. Part III. The Asaf Jahi Period (1720-1948): 1. Nizam ul Mulk Asaf Jah (1720-1748). 2. Nasir Jung, Muzaffar Jung and Salabat Jung (1748-62). 3. Nizam Ali Khan Asaf Jah II (1762-1803) : Hyderabad Capital. 4. Sikandar Jah Asaf Jah III (1803-29). 5. Nasirud daula Asaf Jah IV (1829-57). 6. Afzal ud Daula Asaf Jah V (1857-69). 7. Mir Mahbub Ali Khan Asaf Jah VI (1869-1911). 8. Mir Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII (1911-48). 9. The Nizam VII as Rajpramukh of Hyderabad State (1950-56). XIII. Glimpses of the Asaf Jahi Era through pictures: 1. The reality. 2. European dignatories in Hyderabad. 3. Indian dignatories in Hyderabad. 4. Official functions etc. 5. The end of Hyderabad State 1948. 6. The Nizam VII after the fall (1948-67). XIV. The Nizam’s Royal Insignia and Prerogatives of an Independent state: 1. Standard-Mahi wo Maratib. 2. Asafia flag. 3. Crest. Emblem and monograms. 4. Khutba and Anthem. 5. Dubar (Royal Court). 6. Militar. 7. Coinage and currency notes. 8. Communications (a) Postal system. (b) Railways, (c) Road ways, and (d) Airways. 9. Fiscal system. 10. Sarf-I-Kyas; and 11. Special honours of the Nizams. 15. The Asaf Jahi Nobility: 1. The Paigah. 2. The Salar Jungs. 3. The Rajas and Maharajahs. 4. Arabs in Hyderabad. 5. Other leading nobles. 6. Jagirdars. 7. Rajas of Samasthans. XVI. Glimpses of the nobility through pictures. XVII. Architecture under the Asaf Jahs and interior decorations: Background-architectural styles in Hyderabad. 1. City wall, gates and posterns. 2. Palaces of the Nizams and the royalty. 3. Palaces of the chief nobles. 4. Osmanian architecture of government and public buildings. 5. Tombs and 6. European Architecture in Hyderabad. XVIII. Painting under the Asaf Jahs. XIX. Hyderabad’s cultural and social institutions: 1. The Royal Court. 2. Living. 3. Dress and fashion of Males. 4. Dress and fashion of females. 5. Jewellery. 6. Gastronomy, delicacies and confectionary. 7. Etiquette and social behaviour. 8. Festive celebrations from birth to marriage. 9. Festivals-Muharram, Urs, Jatras and Melas. 10. Fancy taste-Betel leaf, its appetencies and tobacco; flowers, perfumes-Ither. 11. Pass-times, sports and games. 12. Literary activities. XX. Glimpses of socio-cultural aspects through pictures. XXI. Benevolence of the Nizams. XXII. The Fabulous Nizams-the Nizams Wealth and Jewels: 1. Nizam’s Wealth and jewellery. 2. Nizam’s Jewellery trust. 3. The Jewels of the Nizams-the imperial Jacab Diamond. 4. Types of Jewellery. 5. Te Nizams’ Jewellery. Appendices. Glossary. Bibliography.

The Splendour of Hyderabad is the first comprehensive book which recaptures the sublime spirit of opulent oriental life and culture in Hyderabad, where the magnificent, lavish and exotic court, first of the Qutb Shahi Sultans and later of the Nizams, flourished from 1591 to 1948. The grandeur of oriental culture reached its zenith in the latter half of the 19 century during the time of the sixth Nizam and it was continued by his successor, the last Nizam during the first half of the 20 century. These Nizams were reputedly the richest men in the world with their fabulous wealth and were called "Fabulous Mughals".

The history of the high level of grandeur and sophistication is explored by Dr. Nayeem in this, very vivid account substantiated with nearly six hundred historical photographs, which are unique documents of the political, social and cultural life and time of the people of Hyderabad and are unrivalled and unparalleled.

Profusely illustrated the book, an outcome of several years’ research by Dr. Nayeem, is a broad-based study that integrates diverse elements and presents a synthesised panoramic survey of the chief constituents of oriental culture. Of international interest, the Nizam is shown entertaining Kings, Queens heads of states and others with unsurpassed opulence. The roster of the visiting aristocrats included Prince of Wales (latter King George V), Queen Mary, the Princess of Wales, future Czar of Russia, the Archdukes of Austria and Russia, Crown Prince of Germany, King Saud of Saudi Arabia, Shah of Iran and Queen Suryaya, scores of British Lords and Ladies, British Viceroys and Governor Generals, British residents, etc.

In this splendid work the author brilliantly treats the subject chronologically with documentation and in its historical perspective, giving geographical and historical backgrounds along with maps. The wealth and jewellery of the Nizams are described in a separate chapter with rare illustrations from the sumptuous and priceless collection including items from the London auctions.

The author mentions some cases of the Nizam's charity and benevolence that rained all over India, Pakistan, Middle East, England etc.