Mukarram Jah's rise was not easy, mired in family fissures in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: The ascension of Mukarram Jah to the titular gaddi (throne) of Nizam VIII or the ruler of Hyderabad in 1967 was not a smooth affair. It took almost a decade for the Centre to decide on the successor of Mir Osman Ali Khan, the Nizam VII. The Centre was also not in favour of the official announcement till the death of Osman Ali Khan, who had preferred his grandson Mukarram Jah to his eldest son Azam Jah to succeed him.
Records from the National Archives of India reveal that Mukarram Jah's father, Azam Jah, and his uncle, Moazzam Jah, had opposed the succession of Mukarram Jah. They raised the issue of Islamic law (Shariah) that a grandson can't succeed his grandfather when his father is alive. However, the Nizam VII said the Islamic law does not apply to his regime and finally the Union Cabinet headed by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru recognised Mukarram Jah as the "ruler of Hyderabad" on March 11, 1964. The reason cited for recognition of Mukarram Jah in preference to Azam Jah and Moazzam Jah was that the latter two were given to vices.
Recognition of Mukarram Jah by the Union Cabinet was based on a note from Union ministry of home affairs (March 10, 1964) detailing reasons for his recognition as successor.
According to NAI documents, in June 1954 the Nizam wrote to the PM proposing that the Government of India recognise Mukarram Jah. The Nizam stated that Azam Jah with his present mode of life, extravagance and addiction to drink has made himself unfit to shoulder responsibilities. The documents reveal that the Nizam doubted whether Azam Jah would be acceptable to people of Hyderabad. He said "Mukarram Jah, who had had a very good and sound education at Harrow and Cambridge and had distinguished himself in sports and other extra-curricular activities and by his friendly but dignified behaviour had made himself popular not only with his colleagues at Cambridge but also among the people of the state, would be readily acceptable to the people of Hyderabad".
Centre in response wrote: "What you have said about the Prince of Berar (Azam Jah) and his younger brother, Prince Moazzam Jah, has greatly distressed us and your reluctance about their succeeding you is, in the circumstances of the case, easily understandable." Documents reveal that later the Nizam made an unauthorised announcement that he had selected his grandson as successor. In October 1955 the Nizam again wrote to PM Nehru about Mukarram Jah succeeding him. The AP government brought pressure on Centre for a decision. "... In the event of the sudden death of the Nizam, Azam Jah may immediately stake out his claim as the successor of the Nizam", Cabinet note revealed.