ORIGINS
- The Nizams of Hyderabad belonged to the Asaf Jahi dynasty established by Mir Qamaruddin Khan in the 1720s.
- This dynasty traces its origins to the Mughal Empire.
- During the reign of the Mughal Emperor, Muhammad Shah, he was given the governorship of Deccan in 1721 along with the title of “Asaf Jah”.
- After just one year, Mir Qamaruddin came back to the north to become the Wazir. However, owing to a rebellion in the Deccan he returned there in 1724.
- In doing so, he transitioned from a loyal Mughal noble to a semi-independent ruler.
- Even though detached from the imperial centre, he still recognized the over-lordship of the Mughal Emperor and never declared complete independence.
- In this way, the Asaf Jahi dynasty was established in 1724.
- However, it was only after defeating the Marathas in 1742 that the Nizam’s rule was properly established in the region.
- His territory encompassed the entire plateau south of the Tapti river except for a narrow strip of land along the west coast ruled by the Marathas.
- The Asaf Jahi empire also extended down till Trichinopoly (present day Tiruchirappalli) and Madurai and included the Golconda mines.