:Mir Osman Ali Khan

Mir Osman Ali Khan was born 5 or 6 April 1886, the second son of Mahboob Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI and Amat-uz-Zahra Begum{{cite book | last1=Yazdani | first1=Z. | last2=Chrystal | first2=M. | title=The Seventh Nizam: The Fallen Empire | publisher=author | year=1985 | isbn=978-0-9510819-0-7 | page=41}}{{cite book | last=Bawa | first=B.K. | title=The Last Nizam: The Life and Times of Mir Osman Ali Khan | publisher=Viking | year=1992 | isbn=978-0-670-83997-1 | page=37}} at Purani Haveli (also known as Masarrat Mahal palace). He was educated privately and reportedly became fluent in Urdu, Persian, Arabic and English.{{cite news |last1=IFTHEKHAR |first1=J. S. |title=Nizam's generous side and love for books |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/nizams-generous-side-and-love-for-books/article2886529.ece |access-date=27 January 2023 |work=The Hindu |date=13 February 2012 |language=en-IN}}{{cite journal |title=Journal of the Pakistan Historical Society |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xfptAAAAMAAJ |volume=46 |pages=3–4(104) |journal=Pakistan Historical Society |publisher=the University of Michigan |year=1998 |access-date=26 July 2020 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915185148/https://books.google.com/books?id=xfptAAAAMAAJ&q= |url-status=live}} Under Nawab Muhammad Ali Beg he received court ethics and military training.{{cite web |title=Chapter II |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/160452/8/08_chapter_2.pdf |page=56 |publisher=Shodh Ganga-Indian Electronic Thesises and Dissertations |access-date=28 July 2020 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915185150/https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/160452/8/08_chapter_2.pdf |url-status=live}}

On the recommendation of the Viceroy of India, Lord Elgin in 1898, in early 1899 Sir Brian Egerton (of the Egerton family and former tutor to Maharajah of Bikaner Ganga Singh) was appointed as Mir Osman Ali Khan's English tutor for two years. During this period he lived away from the principal palace. He lived on his own to avoid the atmosphere of the palace quarters under the guidance of Sir Brian and other British officials and mentors so that he could flourish as a gentleman of the highest class. Sir Brian Egerton recorded that as a child, Mir Osman Ali Khan was magnanimous and "anxious to learn". Because of the indomitable attitude of zenana (the women) who were determined to send Mir Osman Ali Khan out of Hyderabad for further studies, he pursued them at Mayo College after consultation with the principal nobles of the Paigah family.{{cite thesis |title=The power behind the throne: Relations between the British and the Indian states 1870-1909 |url=https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/29223/1/10731318.pdf |last=Keen |first=Caroline |pages=84–86 |degree=PhD |publisher=SOAS University of London |year=2003 |page= |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915185155/https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/29223/1/10731318.pdf|url-status=live}}

File:CHOWMAHALLA_PALACE_Royal_painting.jpg

File:1 rupee Hyderabard - 1913.png: 1 rupee Hyderabad State, Mir Osman Ali Khan, 1913]]

Mir Mahboob Ali Khan The VI Nizam died on 29 August 1911 and on the same day Mir Osman Ali Khan was proclaimed Nizam VII under the supervision of Nawab Shahab Jung, a minister of Police and Public works.{{cite web |title=Delhi Durbar of 1911: All you wanted to know ! |url=https://www.theheritagelab.in/delhi-durbar-1911/ |website=The Heritage Lab |date=17 December 2020}} On 18 September 1911, the crowning ceremony was officially held at the Chowmahalla Palace.

His coronation Durbar (court) included the prime minister of Hyderabad Maharaja Kishen Pershad, Colonel Alexander Pinhey (1911–1916) British resident of Hyderabad, the Paigah, and the distinguished nobles of the state and the head of principalities under Nizam domain.{{cite thesis |title=Accession of Hyderabad state to the Indian union: a study of the political and pressure groups (1945-1948) |chapter-url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/1882 |chapter=1 |page=20 |first=Uma |last=T |date=April 2003 |degree=PhD |publisher=Department of History, School of Social Sciences, University of Hyderabad |hdl=10603/1882 |via=Shodh Ganga-Indian Electronic Thesises and Dissertations |access-date=28 July 2020 |archive-date=25 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425172456/http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/1882 |url-status=live}}

The famous mines of Golconda were the major source of wealth for the Nizams,{{Cite web |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/SilkStalkings/celebrating-the-nizams-fabled-golconda-diamonds/ |title=Celebrating the Nizam's fabled Golconda diamonds |date=23 February 2019 |website=Economic Times Blog|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802081007/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/SilkStalkings/celebrating-the-nizams-fabled-golconda-diamonds/|archive-date=2 August 2019|url-status=live}} with the Kingdom of Hyderabad being the only supplier of diamonds for the global market in the 18th century.

Mir Osman Ali Khan acceded as the Nizam of Hyderabad upon the death of his father in 1911. The state of Hyderabad was the largest of the princely states in colonial India. With an area of 86,000 square miles (223,000  km²), it was roughly the size of the present-day United Kingdom. The Nizam was the highest-ranking prince in India, was one of only five princes entitled to a 21-gun salute, held the unique title of "Nizam", and titled "His Exalted Highness" and "Faithful Ally of the British Crown".{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/%60His-Exalted-Highness-to-be-staged-today/article14734360.ece |title='His Exalted Highness' to be staged today |newspaper=The Hindu |date=14 March 2007| access-date=16 July 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219204535/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/%60His-Exalted-Highness-to-be-staged-today/article14734360.ece| archive-date=19 February 2020| url-status=live}}

In 1908, three years before the Nizam's coronation, the city of Hyderabad was struck by a major flood that resulted in the death of thousands. The Nizam, on the advice of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, ordered the construction of two large reservoirs—the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar—to prevent another flood.{{Sfn|Law|1914|p=85-92}}

He was given the title of "Faithful Ally of the British Crown" after World War One because of his financial contribution to the British Empire's war effort. Part of the reason behind his unique title of "His Exalted Highness" and other titles was due to the huge amounts of financial help that he provided the British amounting to nearly £25 million (£{{formatnum:{{Inflation|UK|25000000|1918|r=-3}}}} in {{CURRENTYEAR}}).{{Cite web|last=Zompa|first=Tenzin|date=6 April 2021|title=Mir Osman Ali Khan, Hyderabad Nizam who wore cotton pyjamas & used a diamond as paper weight|url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/mir-osman-ali-khan-hyderabad-nizam-who-wore-cotton-pyjamas-used-a-diamond-as-paper-weight/634761/|access-date=10 October 2021|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}} (For example, No. 110 Squadron RAF's original complement of Airco DH.9A aircraft were Osman Ali's gift. Each aircraft bore an inscription to that effect, and the unit became known as the "Hyderabad Squadron".){{Cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommandno110squadron.cfm |title=RAF – Bomber Command No.110 Squadron |website=raf.mod.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203074539/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommandno110squadron.cfm|archive-date=3 February 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=3 May 2017}} He also paid for a Royal Navy vessel, the N-class destroyer, {{HMAS|Nizam|G38|6}} commissioned in 1940 and transferred to the Royal Australian Navy.{{cite web |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |title=HMAS Nizam |url=https://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-nizam |language=en |access-date=19 July 2020 |archive-date=26 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726095116/https://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-nizam |url-status=live}}

In 1918, the Nizam issued a firman (decree) that established Osmania University, the first university to have Urdu as the language of instruction. The present campus was completed in 1934. The Firman also mentioned the university's detailed mission and objectives.{{cite web |title=Osmania University |url=https://www.osmania.ac.in/aboutus-originandhistory.php |website=osmania.ac.in |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=25 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425180256/https://www.osmania.ac.in/aboutus-originandhistory.php |url-status=live}} The establishment of Osmania University was highly lauded by Nobel Prize laureate Rabindranath Tagore who was overjoyed to see the day when Indians are "freed from the shackles of a foreign language and our education becomes naturally accessible to all our people".

File:The Nizam of Hyderabad pays homage to the king and queen at the Delhi Durbar.jpg and Queen Mary at the Delhi Durbar, December 1911]]

In 1919, the Nizam ordered the formation of the Executive Council of Hyderabad, presided over by Sir Sayyid Ali Imam, including eight other members, each in charge of one or more departments. The president of the Executive Council would also be the prime minister of Hyderabad.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

The Begumpet Airport was established in 1930 with the eventual formation of Hyderabad Aero Club by the Nizam in 1936. Initially, Nizam's private airline, Deccan Airways, one of the earliest airlines in British India, used it as a domestic and international airport. The terminal building was constructed in 1937.{{cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Museum/Begumpet.html |title=Begumpet Airport History |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051221081504/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Museum/Begumpet.html |archive-date=21 December 2005|url-status=dead}} The first commercial flight took off from the airport in 1946.{{Cite web|url=https://www.showincity.com/venues/v-18646/begumpet-airport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019120240/https://www.showincity.com/venues/v-18646/begumpet-airport|archive-date=October 19, 2021|title=Begumpet Airport}}

File:President of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito meeting with H.E.H. the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1956.jpg meeting with the Nizam, c. 1956]]

File:AsafJah7 Al-Quaiti-Family.jpeg royal family|alt=]]

File:NizamSaud.jpg during his visit to Hyderabad|alt=]]

The Nizam arranged a matrimonial alliance with the deposed caliph Abdulmejid II whereby Nizam's first son Azam Jah would marry Princess Durrushehvar of the Ottoman Empire. It was believed that the matrimonial alliance between Nizam and Abdulmejid II would lead to the emergence of a Muslim ruler who could be acceptable to the world powers in place of the Ottoman Sultans. After India's Independence, the Nizam attempted to declare his sovereignty over the state of Hyderabad, either as a protectorate of the British Empire or as a sovereign monarchy. However, his power weakened because of the Telangana Rebellion and the rise of the Razakars, a Muslim militia who wanted Hyderabad to remain under Muslim rule. In 1948, India invaded and annexed Hyderabad State, and the rule of the Nizam ended. He became the Rajpramukh and served from 26 January 1950 to 31 October 1956.{{cite news |title=Fact Check: The Nizam of Hyderabad never fled Hyderabad |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/story/fact-check-the-nizam-of-hyderabad-never-fled-as-yogi-adityanath-claimed-1401710-2018-12-03 |access-date=23 September 2019 |work=India Today |date=29 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923123211/https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/story/fact-check-the-nizam-of-hyderabad-never-fled-as-yogi-adityanath-claimed-1401710-2018-12-03 |archive-date=23 September 2019 |url-status=live}}

By donating to major educational institutions throughout India, he introduced many educational reforms during his reign. Up to 11% of his budget was spent on education.{{cite news |title=Nizam Hyderabad Mir Osman Ali Khan was a perfect secular ruler |url=https://archive.siasat.com/news/nizam-hyderabad-mir-osman-ali-khan-was-perfect-secular-ruler-812716/ |work=The Siasat Daily - Archive |date=13 August 2015 |access-date=19 July 2020 |archive-date=17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917143512/https://archive.siasat.com/news/nizam-hyderabad-mir-osman-ali-khan-was-perfect-secular-ruler-812716/ |url-status=dead }} Schools, colleges and a Department for Translation were set up. Primary education was made compulsory and provided free for the poor.

File:Hydari ViceChancellor InaugurationArtsCollege-OsmaniaUni 1937.jpeg Arts College, c. 1937]]

{{See also|Osmania University}}

He founded the Osmania University in 1918 through a royal firman.{{cite web |title=Osmania University |url=https://www.osmania.ac.in/aboutus-originandhistory.php |website=osmania.ac.in |access-date=30 July 2020 |archive-date=25 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425180256/https://www.osmania.ac.in/aboutus-originandhistory.php |url-status=live}} It is one of the largest universities in India. Schools, colleges and a Department for Translation were set up.{{cite web |url=http://www.osmania.ac.in/AboutUsorigin-history.htm |title=Welcome to Osmania University |publisher=Osmania.ac.in |date=26 April 1917 |access-date=18 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812075935/http://www.osmania.ac.in/AboutUsorigin-history.htm |archive-date=12 August 2015 |url-status=dead}}

Nearly all the major public buildings and institutions in Hyderabad city, such as the Hyderabad High Court, Jubilee Hall,{{cite book |last1=Aleem |first1=Shamim |last2=Aleem |first2=M. A. |title=Developments in Administration Under H.E.H. the Nizam VII |date=1984 |publisher=Osmania University Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nWYeAAAAMAAJ&q=jubilee+hall+hyderabad |language=en}} Nizamia Observatory, Moazzam Jahi Market, Kachiguda Railway Station, Asafiya Library (State Central Library, Hyderabad), the Town Hall now known as the Assembly Hall, Hyderabad Museum now known as the State Museum; hospitals like Osmania General Hospital, Nizamia Hospital and many other buildings were constructed under his reign.{{Cite news |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/45tpr4Hlxyc5g51QtwjuKJ/100-years-of-Osmania-University-the-hub-of-Telangana-agitat.html |title=100 years of Osmania University, the hub of Telangana agitation |last=Lasania |first=Yunus Y. |date=26 April 2017 |work=Mint|access-date=20 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619163712/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/45tpr4Hlxyc5g51QtwjuKJ/100-years-of-Osmania-University-the-hub-of-Telangana-agitat.html|archive-date=19 June 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/once-pride-nizam-hyderabads-iconic-osmania-hospital-now-lies-shambles-56184 |title=Once the pride of the Nizam, Hyderabad's iconic Osmania hospital now lies in shambles |date=24 January 2017 |work=The News Minute|access-date=20 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202120825/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/once-pride-nizam-hyderabads-iconic-osmania-hospital-now-lies-shambles-56184|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2016-06-03/Kacheguda-station-scripts-100-years-of-history/232405 |title=Kacheguda station scripts 100 years of history |website=The Hans India |language=en|access-date=20 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620181027/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2016-06-03/Kacheguda-station-scripts-100-years-of-history/232405|archive-date=20 June 2018|url-status=live |date=3 June 2016}} He also built the Hyderabad House in Delhi, now used for diplomatic meetings by the Government of India.{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110718/jsp/frontpage/story_14253175.jsp |title=Ties too big for Delhi table – Space dilemma mirrors growth in Indo-US relationship |last=Nayar |first=K.P. |date=18 July 2011 |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=Kolkota |access-date=13 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725011802/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110718/jsp/frontpage/story_14253175.jsp|archive-date=25 July 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Of-princes-palaces-and-plush-points/Article1-707274.aspx |title=Of princes, palaces and plush points |last=Sharma |first=Manoj |date=8 June 2011 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |access-date=13 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010152053/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Of-princes-palaces-and-plush-points/Article1-707274.aspx |archive-date=10 October 2013|url-status=dead}}

{{Main|State Bank of Hyderabad}}

In 1941, he started his bank, the Hyderabad State Bank. It was later renamed State Bank of Hyderabad and merged with the State Bank of India as the state's central bank in 2017. It was established on 8 August 1941 under the Hyderabad State Bank Act. The bank managed the Osmania Sicca (Hyderabadi rupee), the currency of the state of Hyderabad. It was the only state in India that had its currency, and the only state in British India where the ruler was allowed to issue currency. In 1953, the bank absorbed, by merger, the Mercantile Bank of Hyderabad, which Raja Pannalal Pitti had founded in 1935.Pagdi, Raghavendra Rao (1987) Short History of Banking in Hyderabad District, 1879–1950. In M. Radhakrishna Sarma, K.D. Abhyankar, and V.G. Bilolikar, eds. History of Hyderabad District, 1879-1950AD (Yugabda 4981–5052). (Hyderabad: Bharatiya Itihasa Sankalana Samiti), Vol. 2, pp.85–87.{{Request quotation|date=July 2020|reason=What is said in this book to support this statement?}}

In 1956, the Reserve Bank of India took over the bank as its first subsidiary and renamed it State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH). The Subsidiary Banks Act was passed in 1959. On 1 October 1959, SBH and the other banks of the princely states became subsidiaries of SBI. It merged with SBI on 31 March 2017.{{cite news |last1=Sridhar |first1=G. Naga |date=8 April 2014 |title=Ethnic flavour: SBH to be chief banker to new Telangana state |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/Ethnic-flavour-SBH-to-be-chief-banker-to-new-Telangana-state/article20749772.ece |work=BusinessLine |language=en |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915185209/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/Ethnic-flavour-SBH-to-be-chief-banker-to-new-Telangana-state/article20749772.ece |url-status=live}}

After the Great Musi Flood of 1908, which killed an estimated 50,000 people, the Nizam constructed two lakes to prevent flooding—the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar{{cite web |title=Nature Discovery in Telangana :: Telangana Tourism |url=https://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/partials/destinations/nature-discovery/rangareddy/osman-sagar-lake.html |website=telanganatourism.gov |language=en |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815174420/http://telanganatourism.gov.in/partials/destinations/nature-discovery/rangareddy/osman-sagar-lake.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.exploretelangana.com/gandipets-osman-sagar-lake-hyderabad/ |title=Gandipet's Osman Sagar Lake, Hyderabad |website=exploretelangana.com |date=24 August 2013 |language=en-US|access-date=20 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619163801/http://www.exploretelangana.com/gandipets-osman-sagar-lake-hyderabad/|archive-date=19 June 2018|url-status=live}} named after himself, and his son Azam Jah respectively.{{Cite web |url=http://www.exploretelangana.com/himayat-sagar-lake-weekend-tourist-spot-of-hyderabad/ |title=Himayat Sagar Lake – Weekend Tourist Spot of Hyderabad |website=exploretelangana.com |language=en-US|access-date=20 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619213815/http://www.exploretelangana.com/himayat-sagar-lake-weekend-tourist-spot-of-hyderabad/|archive-date=19 June 2018|url-status=dead}}

The Nizam founded agricultural research in the Marathwada region of Hyderabad State with the establishment of the Main Experimental Farm in 1918 in Parbhani. During his rule, agricultural education was available only at Hyderabad; crop research centres for sorghum, cotton, and fruits existed in Parbhani. After independence, the Indian government developed this facility further and renamed it Marathwada Agriculture University on 18 May 1972.{{cite web |title=MAU |url=http://www.mkv.ac.in/doe/maufrgen.html |publisher=mkv |access-date=24 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518022708/http://www.mkv.ac.in/doe/maufrgen.html|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}}

India's first airport—the Begumpet Airport—was established in the 1930s with the formation of the Hyderabad Aero Club by the Nizam. Initially, it was used as a domestic and international airport by Deccan Airways Limited, the first airline in British India. The airport terminal was constructed in 1937.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/a-tome-on-the-aviation-history-of-the-deccan/article27936689.ece |title=A tome on the aviation history of the Deccan |newspaper=The Hindu |date=26 May 2001 |last1=Venkateshwarlu |first1=K. |access-date=17 April 2020 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915185209/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/a-tome-on-the-aviation-history-of-the-deccan/article27936689.ece |url-status=live}}

During Mir Osman Ali Khan’s regime, financial support of Rs 97,000 and more than Two-lakh-acres of land were donated for the Hindu temples. Hindu temple histories in Hyderabad, both oral and written, feature close interaction with the Nizam’s court and administration.{{cite news |last1=Today |first1=Telangana |title=The progressive rule of Nizams |url=https://telanganatoday.com/cultural-accomplishments-of-nizam-era |access-date=11 July 2024 |work=Telangana Today |date=27 July 2022 |language=en}}

The Nizam donated Rs. 82,825 to the Yadagirigutta temple at Bhongir, Rs. 29,999 to the Sita Ramachandraswamy temple, Bhadrachalam{{cite news |title=A 'miser' who donated generously |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/A-lsquomiser-who-donated-generously/article15988076.ece |access-date=12 August 2018 |date=20 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205205308/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/A-lsquomiser-who-donated-generously/article15988076.ece |archive-date=5 February 2019 |url-status=live}} and yearly donation of Rs. 8,000 to the Tirupati Balaji Temple.{{Cite web |url=http://missiontelangana.com/nizam-gave-funding-for-temples-and-hindu-educational-institutions |title=Nizam gave funding for temples, and Hindu educational institutions |access-date=9 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708074635/http://missiontelangana.com/nizam-gave-funding-for-temples-and-hindu-educational-institutions/ |archive-date=8 July 2018 |url-status=dead |date=28 May 2013}}

He also donated Rs. 50,000 towards the reconstruction of Sitarambagh temple located in the old city of Hyderabad, and bestowed a grant of 100,000 Hyderabadi rupees towards the reconstruction of Thousand Pillar Temple.{{Cite web |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/attempt-to-portray-nizam-as-intolerant-oppressor-decried-1.1385949 |title=Attempt to portray Nizam as 'intolerant oppressor' decried |website=Gulf News|date=16 September 2014 |access-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730074625/https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/attempt-to-portray-nizam-as-intolerant-oppressor-decried-1.1385949|archive-date=30 July 2019|url-status=live}}

He also donated 1,525 acres of Land to "Sita Rama Swami Temple" located in Devaryamjal{{cite web | url=https://telanganatoday.com/devaryamjal-temple-land-case-officials-examine-nizam-era-pahanis | title=Devaryamjal temple land case: Officials examine Nizam-era Pahanis | date=22 May 2021 }}

Other temples which received yearly monetary grants were Yadgirigutta temple, Mahetta Balekdas temple, Sikhar temple, Seetharambagh temple and Jamsingh temple.

The 7th Nizam also donated towards restoration of Ramappa Temple which is now declared a heritage site by UNESCO.{{cite news |title=Ramappa temple's first renovation effort was taken up in 1914 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/ramappa-was-first-renovated-in-1914/articleshow/84744142.cms |work=The Times of India |date=26 July 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Ahmed |first1=Mohammed Hussain |title=UNESCO mentions Nizam's role in restoration of Ramappa Temple |url=https://archive.siasat.com/news/unesco-declared-ramappa-temple-as-world-heritage-site-mentions-nizams-role-in-its-restoration-2170143/ |work=The Siasat Daily – Archive |date=27 July 2021}}

After hearing about the Golden Temple of Amritsar through Maharaja Ranjit Singh,{{cite web |title=Maharaja Ranjit Singh's contributions to Harimandir Sahib |url=https://www.allaboutsikhs.com/harmandir-sahib/maharaja-ranjit-singhs-contributions-to-harimandir-sahib |access-date=1 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417180858/http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/harmandir-sahib/maharaja-ranjit-singhs-contributions-to-harimandir-sahib |archive-date=17 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/traveller/ot-getaway-guides/the-nizams/ |title=A Brief History of The Nizams of Hyderabad|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402071725/https://www.outlookindia.com/traveller/ot-getaway-guides/the-nizams/|archive-date=2 April 2019|url-status=live}} he started providing it with yearly grants.{{cite book |last1=Jaganath |first1=Dr Santosh |title=The History of Nizam's Railways System |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=9781312496477 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lH0ACAAAQBAJ&q=%22nizam%22%20%22golden%20temple%22%20%22osman%22&pg=PA48 |language=en |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915185209/https://books.google.com/books?id=lH0ACAAAQBAJ&lpg=PA48&dq=%22nizam%22+%22golden+temple%22+%22osman%22&pg=PA48 |url-status=live}}{{cite book |last1=Morgan |first1=Diane |title=From Satan's Crown to the Holy Grail: Emeralds in Myth, Magic, and History |date=2007 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=9780275991234 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wb3ySfyMArUC&q=%22nizam%22%20%22golden%20temple%22%20%22osman%22&pg=PA122 |language=en |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915185212/https://books.google.com/books?id=wb3ySfyMArUC&lpg=PA122&dq=%22nizam%22+%22golden+temple%22+%22osman%22&pg=PA122 |url-status=live}}

In 1932, there was a need for money for the publication of the Holy Mahabharata by the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute located in Pune. A formal request was made to Mir Osman Ali Khan who granted Rs. 1000 per year for 11 years.{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/family-members-rue-that-hyderabad-has-forgotten-the-last-nizams-contribution-to-the-city-2963344.html|title=Family members rue that Hyderabad has forgotten the last Nizam's contribution to the city|date=18 August 2016|access-date=5 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153635/https://www.firstpost.com/india/family-members-rue-that-hyderabad-has-forgotten-the-last-nizams-contribution-to-the-city-2963344.html|archive-date=9 July 2018|url-status=dead}}

He also gave Rs 50,000 for the construction of the institute's guest house{{cite web |url=http://www.bori.ac.in/Bori-Heritage-Walk.html |title=Nizam's Guest House, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune|access-date=5 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709094410/http://www.bori.ac.in/Bori-Heritage-Walk.html|archive-date=9 July 2018|url-status=live}} which stands today as the Nizam Guest House.{{cite web |url=https://telanganatoday.com/reminiscing-seventh-nizam-enormous-contribution-education |title=Reminiscing the seventh Nizam's enormous contribution to education |publisher=telanganatoday |date=27 March 2017|access-date= 5 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826125103/https://telanganatoday.com/reminiscing-seventh-nizam-enormous-contribution-education|archive-date= 26 August 2018|url-status= live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/over-year-on-bori-s-historic-nizam-guest-house-still-awaits-reopening/142258 |title=Over Year On, Bori's Historic Nizam Guest House Still Awaits Reopening|access-date=5 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709094406/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/over-year-on-bori-s-historic-nizam-guest-house-still-awaits-reopening/142258|archive-date=9 July 2018|url-status=live |date=14 November 2011}}

File:NIZAM with SHASTRI.jpg]]

In October 1962, during the Sino-Indian War, the PM Lal Bahadur Shastri visited Hyderabad and requested the Nizam to contribute to the National Defence Fund, set up in the wake of the Indo-Chinese skirmishes.{{cite news |last1=Bureau |first1=Our |title=When the miserly Nizam became munificent |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hans/2014-09-12/When-the-miserly-Nizam-became-munificent/107421 |work=www.thehansindia.com |date=12 September 2014 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=When Osman Ali Khan donated 5 tonnes of gold to Govt. of India |url=https://archive.siasat.com/news/when-osman-ali-khan-donated-5-tonnes-gold-govt-india-636234/ |access-date=19 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904084610/https://archive.siasat.com/news/when-osman-ali-khan-donated-5-tonnes-gold-govt-india-636234/ |archive-date=4 September 2018 |url-status=live}} In response, the Nizam donated 5,000 Kilos of gold to the Indian army. In terms of today's gold price in the international market, this donation translates to Rs 2,500 Crore.{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/the-truth-about-the-nizam-and-his-gold/article25464770.ece | title=The truth about the Nizam and his gold | newspaper=The Hindu | date=11 November 2018 | last1=Nanisetti | first1=Serish }}{{cite book |last1=Elliot |first1=Sir Henry Miers |title=Bibliographical Index to the Historians of Muhammedan India |date=1849 |publisher=J. Thomas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zJoHAQAAIAAJ&q=nizam+gold+donation |language=en}}{{cite book |last1=Hashmi |first1=Syed Ali |title=Hyderabad 1948 : an avoidable invasion |date=2017 |location=New Delhi |isbn=9788172210793 |access-date=8 June 2022 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mtaGtAEACAAJ}}

The Nizam donated Rs 1 million for the Banaras Hindu University,{{cite web |url=http://missiontelangana.com/nizam-gave-funding-for-temples-and-hindu-educational-institutions/ |title=Nizam gave funding for temples, and Hindu educational institutions |date=28 May 2013 |publisher=missiontelangana|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708074635/http://missiontelangana.com/nizam-gave-funding-for-temples-and-hindu-educational-institutions/|archive-date=8 July 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=30 December 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://archive.siasat.com/news/nizam-gave-funding-temples-hindu-educational-institutions-436976 |title=Nizam gave funding for temples, Hindu educational institutions |date=10 September 2010 |newspaper=siasat |access-date=9 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140114/https://archive.siasat.com/news/nizam-gave-funding-temples-hindu-educational-institutions-436976/ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=dead }} Rs. 500,000 for the Aligarh Muslim University,{{cite web|url=http://www.milligazette.com/news/14147-why-we-need-minority-character-for-aligarh-muslim-university-jamia-or-hamdard|title=Nothing is more disgraceful for a nation than to throw into the oblivion its historical heritage and the works of its ancestors|date=12 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709094521/http://www.milligazette.com/news/14147-why-we-need-minority-character-for-aligarh-muslim-university-jamia-or-hamdard|archive-date=9 July 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=30 December 2018}} and 300,000 for the Indian Institute of Science.

He also made large donations to many institutions in India and abroad with special emphasis given to educational institutions such as the Jamia Nizamia and the Darul Uloom Deoband.{{cite news |title=Mir Osman Ali Khan: Richest Indian to ever exist in documented history |url=https://archive.siasat.com/news/mir-osman-ali-khan-richest-indian-exist-documented-history-1335838/ |access-date=13 September 2020 |work=The Siasat Daily - Archive |date=30 March 2018 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915185158/https://archive.siasat.com/news/mir-osman-ali-khan-richest-indian-exist-documented-history-1335838/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=NISAB AHLE KHIDMAT-E-SHARIA(Syllabus for Observers of Islamic Law) |url=http://www.jamianizamia.org/pdf_download/nisab_Part_1_to_6_Eng.pdf |access-date=13 September 2020 |archive-date=22 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622232248/http://www.jamianizamia.org/pdf_download/nisab_Part_1_to_6_Eng.pdf |url-status=live}}

Shri Shivaji Educational Society Amravati also received a total grant of 50,000 from the Nizam in the 1940's.{{cite web |title=Shri Shivaji Education Society Amravati |url=https://ssesa.org/pages/patron.php |website=ssesa.org}}

During the early 1920s, the site of Ajanta Caves was under the princely state of the Hyderabad{{cite book|first=Richard S. | last=Cohen|title=Beyond Enlightenment: Buddhism, Religion, Modernity |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R5IPMKb4WFUC |year=2006|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-19205-2|pages=51–58}} and Osman Ali Khan (the Nizam of Hyderabad) appointed experts to restore the artwork, converted the site into a museum and built a road to enable tourists to come to the site.{{cite news |last1=Jain|first1=Madhu |title=Cave paintings of Ajanta and Ellora become a tragic monument to archaeological neglect post-independence |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/heritage/story/19870315-cave-paintings-of-ajanta-and-ellora-become-a-tragic-monument-to-archaeological-neglect-798635-1987-03-15 |work=India Today |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Abraham |first1=Sarah |title=Ajanta and Ellora Caves - Monuments - UcL Places |url=https://www.uncrushedleaves.com/ucl-places/ajanta-and-ellora-caves-monuments/ |website=UncrushedLeaves |date=2 August 2022}}

The Nizam's Director of Archaeology obtained the services of two experts from Italy, Professor Lorenzo Cecconi, assisted by Count Orsini, to restore the paintings in the caves. The Director of Archaeology for the last Nizam of Hyderabad said of the work of Cecconi and Orsini:

{{blockquote|The repairs to the caves and the cleaning and conservation of the frescoes have been carried out on such sound principles and in such a scientific manner that these matchless monuments have found a fresh lease of life for at least a couple of centuries.{{cite web |title=Ajanta cave paintings of Nizam era lie in a state of neglect |date=8 July 2018 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2018/jul/03/ajanta-cave-paintings-of-nizam-era-lie-in-a-state-of-neglect-1837405.html}}}}

The Nizam provided substantial funding for the restoration of Masjid Al-Aqsa (one of the three holiest sites in the Islamic world). Additionally, he contributed greatly to the creation of waqfs (Muslim endowments) in Palestine and supported the renovation and restoration of a hospice named Zawiyah Hindiyya.{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/hyderabads-history-of-support-and-solidarity-with-palestine/article67443412.ece | title=Hyderabad's history of support and solidarity with Palestine | newspaper=The Hindu | date=21 October 2023 | last1=Mohammed | first1=Syed }}{{cite web | url=https://roiramallah.gov.in/pages.php?id=39 | title=Welcome to Representative Office of India, Ramallah, Palestine }}

In 1922, Nizam VII issued a firman banning the public slaughter of cows in his kingdom.{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/islamic-scholars-dissuade-slaughter-of-cows-on-bakrid/articleshow/70624249.cms | title=Islamic scholars dissuade slaughter of cows on Bakrid | newspaper=The Times of India | date=11 August 2019 }} {{cite news |title=Why every political party will seek to resurrect Nizam in Hyderabad today |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/times-special/why-every-political-party-will-seek-to-resurrect-nizam-in-hyderabad-today/articleshow/94258000.cms |work=The Times of India |date=17 September 2022}}

File:OsmanNehruJN.jpg, the Nizam and Major General Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri after Hyderabad's accession to India]]

{{See also|Operation Polo}}

After Indian independence in 1947, the country was partitioned into India and Pakistan. The princely states were left free to make whatever arrangement they wished with either India or Pakistan. The Nizam ruled over more than 16 million people and {{convert|82698|sqmi|km2}} of territory when the British withdrew from the sub-continent in 1947. But unlike the other princely states, the Nizam refused to sign the instrument of accession. Instead he opted to sign a 1-year standstill agreement agreed upon by the British, and signed by then viceroy Lord Mountbatten.{{cite news |last1=Trumbull |first1=Robert |title=BIG INDIAN STATE KEEPS SOVEREIGNTY; Hyderabad Makes Standstill Agreement With Dominion, Holding Status for Year |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/10/23/archives/big-indian-state-keeps-sovereignty-hyderabad-makes-standstill.html |work=The New York Times |date=23 October 1947}} The Nizam refused to join either India or Pakistan, preferring to form a separate independent kingdom within the British Commonwealth of Nations.{{cite news |title=Lessons to learn from Hyderabad's past |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Lessons-to-learn-from-Hyderabads-past/articleshow/27390337.cms |work=The Times of India |date=15 December 2013 |access-date=19 June 2020 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915185214/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Lessons-to-learn-from-Hyderabads-past/articleshow/27390337.cms |url-status=live}}

This proposal for independence was rejected by the British government, but the Nizam continued to explore it. Towards this end, he kept up open negotiations with the Government of India regarding the modalities of a future relationship while opening covert negotiations with Pakistan in a similar vein. The Nizam cited the Razakars as evidence that the people of the state were opposed to any agreement with India.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

The one-year standstill agreement turned out to be a severe blow to Nizam as it gave all foreign affairs, communication and defence power to the Indian government. The new Indian government wasn't happy that a sovereign state would exist right at the centre of India.{{cite news |last1=Nanisetti |first1=Serish |title=Accession of Hyderabad: When a battle by cables forced Nizam's hand |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/accession-of-hyderabad-when-a-battle-by-cables-forced-the-nizams-hand/article61532892.ece |work=The Hindu |date=15 September 2018 |language=en-IN}} In accordance to this, they ultimately decided to invade Hyderabad in 1948, in operation code-named Operation Polo. Under the supervision of Major General Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri, one division of the Indian Army and a tank brigade invaded and captured Hyderabad.{{cite web |title=Exclusive sunder lal report on Indian armies annexation of Hyderabad and the following mass killings of Muslims |date=30 November 2013 |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/131129/news-current-affairs/article/exclusive-sundarlal-report-police-action |access-date=19 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618233504/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/131129/news-current-affairs/article/exclusive-sundarlal-report-police-action |archive-date=18 June 2020 |url-status=live}} The annexation was over in just 109 hours or roughly 4 days. Due to no foreign connections and no real defence, the war was a losing cause for Hyderabad from the start. After the annexation the territory came under Indian rule and the Nizam was removed from his position but allowed to keep all personal wealth and title.{{Cite news|last=Nanisetti|first=Serish|date=15 September 2018|title=Accession of Hyderabad: When a battle by cables forced Nizam's hand|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/accession-of-hyderabad-when-a-battle-by-cables-forced-the-nizams-hand/article24956708.ece|access-date=11 October 2021|issn=0971-751X}}

{{See also|Jewels of the Nizams of Hyderabad}}

The Nizam was so wealthy that he was portrayed on the cover of Time magazine on 22 February 1937, being described as the world's richest man.{{cite magazine |url=https://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19370222,00.html |title=Time Magazine Cover: The Nizam of Hyderabad – Feb. 22, 1937 |magazine=Time|access-date=4 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617145520/http://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19370222,00.html|archive-date=17 June 2017|url-status=live}} At its peak, the wealth of Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII was worth {{INRConvert|660|c}} (all his conceivable assets combined) in the early 1940s, while Nizam's entire treasure of jewels, would be worth between US$150 million and US$500 million variously in today's terms.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,868973,00.html?iid=chix-sphere|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203010704/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,868973,00.html?iid=chix-sphere|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2009|title=INDIA: The Nizam's Daughter|date=19 January 1959|magazine=Time}}{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/exhibition-of-jewels-of-hyderabad-nizams-includes-fifth-largest-diamond-in-world/1/231098.html|title=Exhibition of jewels of Hyderabad Nizams includes fifth-largest diamond in world|date=3 September 2001 }}{{cite web|url=http://ia.rediff.com/news/2000/dec/11jafri.htm?h=splitinfinity&d=get&sony|title=rediff.com: Hyderabad museum to exhibit Nizam's jewels }}{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Priceless-Nizam-jewels-to-be-exhibited/articleshow/1492626431.cms|title=Priceless Nizam jewels to be exhibited|website=The Times of India|date=20 August 2001 }} He used the Jacob Diamond, a 185-carat diamond that is part of the Nizam's jewellery, as a paperweight.{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/the-last-nizam-of-hyderabad-was-not-a-miser/article17367987.ece |title=The last Nizam of Hyderabad was not a miser |last=Y. Lasania |first=Yunus |work=The Hindu|access-date=26 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226132401/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/the-last-nizam-of-hyderabad-was-not-a-miser/article17367987.ece|archive-date=26 February 2017|url-status=live}} During his days as Nizam, he was reputed to be the richest man in the world, having a fortune estimated at US$2 billion in the early 1940s{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,868973,00.html?iid=chix-sphere |title=INDIA: The Nizam's Daughter |magazine=Time |date=19 January 1959 |access-date=18 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203010704/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,868973,00.html?iid=chix-sphere|archive-date=3 February 2009|url-status=dead}} (US${{Formatprice| {{Inflation|US|2000000000|1942}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars){{cite book |title=Foreign Commerce Weekly |year=1946 |publisher=U.S. Department of Commerce |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nc8l6esL-ZAC&pg=RA3-PA25 |volume=24 |page=25}} or two percent of the US economy then.{{cite news |date=1 May 2015 |title=Here are five super-rich people from the pages of history! |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/here-are-five-super-rich-people-from-the-pages-of-history/articleshow/47108897.cms?from=mdr |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=The Economic Times |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915185215/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/here-are-five-super-rich-people-from-the-pages-of-history/articleshow/47108897.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live}}

The Nizam's personal fortune was estimated to be roughly £110 million, including £40 million in gold and jewels (equivalent to £{{formatnum:{{Inflation|UK|110000000|1965|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation-year|UK}}).{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}}{{cite news |author= |title=Gifts of gold to help the Indian treasury |work=The Times |date=14 December 1965 }}{{request quotation|date=September 2020}}{{cite book |last1=Krishnan |first1=Usha Ramamrutham Bala |last2=Ramamrutham |first2=Bharath |title=Jewels of the Nizams |year=2001 |publisher=Department of Culture, Government of India |isbn=978-81-85832-15-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cT_rAAAAMAAJ&q=nizam%20sikander%20jah |language=en |access-date=13 September 2020 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915185215/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Jewels_of_the_Nizams/cT_rAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0&bsq=nizam+sikander+jah |url-status=live}}

The Indian government still exhibits the jewellery as the Jewels of the Nizams of Hyderabad (now in Delhi). There are 173 jewels, which include emeralds weighing nearly {{convert|2000|carat|kg}}, and pearls exceeding 40 thousand chows. The collection includes gemstones, turban ornaments, necklaces and pendants, belts and buckles, earrings, armbands, bangles and bracelets, anklets, cufflinks and buttons, watch chains, and rings, toe rings, and nose rings.{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/heritage/story/20010903-exhibition-of-jewels-of-hyderabad-nizams-includes-fifth-largest-diamond-in-world-774129-2001-09-03 |title=Exhibition of jewels of Hyderabad Nizams includes fifth-largest diamond in world |author=Methil Renuka |date=3 September 2001 |website=India Today |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727105445/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/heritage/story/20010903-exhibition-of-jewels-of-hyderabad-nizams-includes-fifth-largest-diamond-in-world-774129-2001-09-03 |url-status=live}}

Along with the Nizam's jewels, two Bari gold coins worth hundreds of crores were considered the rarest in the world. Himayat Ali Mirza has requested the central government to bring these coins, which were made in the Arabic script, back to Hyderabad.{{Cite web |title=Clipping of Sakshi Telugu Daily - Hyderabad Constituencies |url=https://epaper.sakshi.com/c/68985858 |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=epaper.sakshi.com |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715082626/https://epaper.sakshi.com/c/68985858 |url-status=dead }}

In 1947, Nizam made a gift of diamond jewels, including a tiara and necklace, to the future Queen Elizabeth  II on the occasion of her marriage. The brooches and necklace were still worn by the Queen until her death and the necklace is known as the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace.{{cite web |title=The Nizam of Hyderabad Rose Brooches and Necklace |url=http://queensjewelvault.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-nizam-of-hyderabad-rose-brooches.html |publisher=From Her Majesty's Jewel Vault |date=11 February 2013|access-date=12 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217221828/http://queensjewelvault.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-nizam-of-hyderabad-rose-brooches.html|archive-date=17 December 2013|url-status=live}}

File:NizamViiMukarram.jpg]]

The Nizam lived at King Kothi Palace — bought from a nobleman (Kamal Khan, an architect of those times) — from age 13 until his death. He never moved to Chowmahalla Palace, even after his accession to the throne.{{Cite book |last=Khalidi |first=Omar |url=https://libraries.mit.edu/img/libs/rotch/HyderabadGuide_2009.pdf |title=A Guide to Architecture in Hyderabad, Deccan, India |year=2009 |pages=163 |author-link=Omar Khalidi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925143941/https://libraries.mit.edu/img/libs/rotch/HyderabadGuide_2009.pdf |archive-date=25 September 2019 |url-status=dead |access-date=27 July 2020}}

Unlike his father, he was not interested in fine clothing or hunting. His hobbies rather included poetry and writing ghazals in Urdu.{{cite news |title=A visual ode to Mir Osman Ali Khan, the architect of modern |date=8 April 2018 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/a-visual-ode-to-mir-osman-ali-khan-the-architect-of-modern-hyderabad/articleshow/63658107.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=17 June 2020 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915185221/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/a-visual-ode-to-mir-osman-ali-khan-the-architect-of-modern-hyderabad/articleshow/63658107.cms |url-status=live}}

He revered his mother and visited her every day she was alive; he used to visit her grave almost every day after she died.{{Cite web |url=http://thenizamsmuseum.com/seventh-nizam.html |title=:: The Seventh Nizam - the Nizam's Museum Hyderabad, Telangana, India | access-date=16 July 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517095333/http://thenizamsmuseum.com/seventh-nizam.html | archive-date=17 May 2019 | url-status=live}}

He had seven wives.{{cite book | last=Ikegame | first=A. | title=Princely India Re-imagined: A Historical Anthropology of Mysore from 1799 to the present | publisher=Taylor & Francis | series=Routledge/Edinburgh South Asian Studies Series | year=2013 | isbn=978-1-136-23909-0 | page=105}} His first wife was Sahibzadi Azam-un-Nisa Begum Sahiba also known as Dulhan Pasha Begum. She was the elder daughter of Nawab Jahangir Jung. They married on 14 April 1906 at Eden Bagh, Hyderabad. Nawab Khudrath Nawaz Jung was his first brother-in-law.{{cite news |title=Nizam paid 128 kg in gold coins as meher to first wife |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/23117859.cms |work=The Times of India |last=Khan |first=Mir Ayoob Ali |date=23 September 2013 |access-date=23 July 2020 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915185223/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Nizam-paid-128-kg-in-gold-coins-as-meher-to-first-wife/articleshow/23117859.cms |url-status=live}}{{cite book | last=Jaganath | first=S. | title=The History of Nizam's Railways System | publisher=Lulu.com | isbn=978-1-312-49647-7 | page=43}} She was the mother of his sons Azam Jah and Moazzam Jah,{{cite book | last=Sharma | first=P.L. | title=India Betrayed | publisher=Red-Rose Publications | issue=v. 2 | year=1980 | page=87}} and a daughter Ahmed-un-Nisa Begum also known as Shahzada Pasha.{{cite web | title=Nizam's Family Tree | website=Internet Archive | date=2021-10-06 | url=https://archive.org/details/whats-app-image-2021-10-06-at-9.36.43-am | access-date=2024-05-14}}{{cite book | title=Link: Indian Newsmagazine | issue=v. 20 | year=1978 | page=18}} She died in 1955, and was buried beside her husband in Masjid-e Judi.{{cite web | title=Masjid-i Judi | website=Dome Home | date= | url=https://dome.mit.edu/handle/1721.3/21411 | access-date=2024-05-17}} Another wife was Shahzada Begum.{{cite web | last=M | first=Hymavathi | title=Khada Dupatta: A timeless ensemble | website=The New Indian Express | date=2021-06-22 | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2021/Jun/22/khada-dupatta-a-timelessensemble-2319582.html | access-date=2024-05-17}} She was the mother of Hasham Jah. Her two children had died at birth, and Hasham Jah was her third child.{{cite web | last=Akbar | first=Syed | title=Nizam's grandson seeks recognition from government for all heirs of royal family | website=The Times of India | date=2018-03-28 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/nizams-grandson-seeks-recognition-from-government-for-all-heirs-of-royal-family/articleshow/63502016.cms | access-date=2024-05-12}} Another wife was Ikbal Begum.{{cite book | last1=Krishnan | first1=U.R.B. | last2=Ramamrutham | first2=B. | title=Jewels of the Nizams | publisher=Department of Culture, Government of India | year=2001 | isbn=978-81-7508-306-6 | page=31}} She was the daughter of his Army Secretary, Nawab Nazir Jung.{{cite web | title=Hyderabad Rulers with their Coinage details | website=Chiefa Coins | date=1947-08-15 | url=http://www.chiefacoins.com/Database/Countries/Hyderabad.htm | access-date=2024-05-17}} Another wife was Gowhar Begum. She was a niece of the Aga Khan.{{cite book | last=Bawa | first=B.K. | title=The Last Nizam: The Life and Times of Mir Osman Ali Khan | publisher=Viking | year=1992 | isbn=978-0-670-83997-1 | page=69}}

Another wife was Mazhar-un-Nisa Begum.{{cite book | author=Company Law Institute of India | title=The Income Tax Reports | publisher=Company Law Institute of India | issue=v. 188 | year=1991 | pages=234, 237}} She was the youngest daughter of Khurshid-ul-Mulk, the grand-daughter in the line of the fifth Nizam, Afzal-ud-Daulah, and a niece of the sixth Nizam, Mahboob Ali Khan. They married in 1923. She died on 18 June 1964.{{cite book | author=Company Law Institute of India | title=The Income Tax Reports | publisher=Company Law Institute of India | issue=v. 158 | year=1986 | page=263}} Another wife was Leila Begum. She was a Hindu woman whose family willingly sent her to his harem as a gesture of gratitude. She possessed exceptional beauty, and was his favourite wife.{{cite book | last=Hasan | first=M. | title=Pakistan in an Age of Turbulence | publisher=Pen & Sword Books | year=2022 | isbn=978-1-5267-8861-0 | page=35}} She had five sons Zulfiqar Jah, Bhojat Jah, Shabbir Jah, Nawazish Jah and Fazal Jah; and two daughters Mashhadi Begum and Sayeeda Begum.{{cite web | last=Khan | first=Mir Ayoob Ali | title=Last surviving son of Nizam, Fazal Jah, dies | website=The Times of India | date=2018-02-19 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/last-surviving-son-of-nizam-fazal-jah-dies/articleshow/62975984.cms | access-date=2024-05-16}} His last wife was Jani Begum. She was the daughter of Sahibzada Yavar Jung, and was the mother of Imdad Jah. She died on 7 June 1959.{{cite book | title=Taxation | publisher="Taxation House". | issue=v. 31 | year=1975 | page=230}} In total, he had 34 children: 18 sons and 16 daughters.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/who-gets-to-own-the-nizams-millions/article29606090.ece |title=Who gets to own the Nizam's millions? |first=Serish |last=Nanisetti |work=The Hindu|date=6 October 2019|access-date=27 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327221533/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/who-gets-to-own-the-nizams-millions/article29606090.ece|archive-date=27 March 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite book|editor1=Robert McCorquodale|editor2=Jean-Pierre Gauci|last=Webb |first=Philippa|title=British Influences on International Law, 1915-2015|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c36kDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA162|date=2016|publisher=BRILL|location=Leiden, Boston|isbn=978-90-04-28417-3|page=162}}{{cite news |last=Mohla |first=Anika |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/article1306390.ece |title=From richest to rags in seven generations |work=The New Indian Express |date=21 October 2012 |access-date=18 August 2015 |archive-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814120438/http://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/article1306390.ece |url-status=dead}}{{Cite news |author=Paran Balakrishnan |date=23 February 2014 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1140223/jsp/graphiti/17951885.jsp |title=Return of the Royals |website=The Telegraph |location=Kolkota |language=en |access-date=21 August 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821214017/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1140223/jsp/graphiti/17951885.jsp |archive-date=21 August 2017}}{{cite web |last1=Bedi |first1=Rahul |title=India finally settles £1million Nizam dispute |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1584818/India-finally-settles-1million-Nizam-dispute.html |website=The Telegraph |date=12 April 2008 |access-date=12 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726011013/http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/news/worldnews/1584818/India-finally-settles-1million-Nizam-dispute.html |archive-date=26 July 2012 |location=New Delhi |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Nadeau |first1=Barbie Latza |title=Whose $40 Million Diamond Is It? An Italian Family Feud |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/whose-dollar40-million-diamond-is-it-an-italian-family-feud |website=The Daily Beast |access-date=15 June 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170615173207/http://www.thedailybeast.com/whose-dollar40-million-diamond-is-it-an-italian-family-feud |archive-date=15 June 2017|url-status=live |language=en |date=30 January 2017}}{{cite book |last1=Bawa |first1=Basant K. |title=The Last Nizam: The Life and Times of Mir Osman Ali Khan |date=1992 |publisher=Viking |isbn=978-0-670-83997-1 |pages=377 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h45uAAAAMAAJ&q=nizam+%22wives%22 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Last surviving son of Nizam, Fazal Jah, dies |author=Mir Ayoob Ali Khan |date=19 February 2018 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/last-surviving-son-of-nizam-fazal-jah-dies/articleshow/62975984.cms|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220040300/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/last-surviving-son-of-nizam-fazal-jah-dies/articleshow/62975984.cms|archive-date=20 February 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Last Surviving son of seventh Nizam passes away in Hyderabad |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/last-surviving-son-seventh-nizam-passes-away-hyderabad-76681 |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218193305/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/last-surviving-son-seventh-nizam-passes-away-hyderabad-76681 |archive-date=18 December 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Menace of Black Money: Bring back Nizam's wealth first |url=http://www.vijayvaani.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?aid=3427 |language=en |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218145648/http://www.vijayvaani.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?aid=3427 |archive-date=18 December 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Nizam's heirs seek Pakistani intervention to unfreeze bank account |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nizam-heirs-pakistani-intervention-unfreeze-bank-account-110376-2012-07-20 |work=India Today |date=20 July 2012 |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218145641/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nizam-heirs-pakistani-intervention-unfreeze-bank-account-110376-2012-07-20 |archive-date=18 December 2018 |url-status=live}}

His first son Azam Jah married Durru Shehvar, (daughter of the Ottoman caliph Abdul Mejid  II), while his second son Moazzam Jah married Niloufer, (a niece of the Ottoman sultan).{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1510174/Princess-Durruhsehvar-of-Berar.html |title=Princess Dürrühsehvar of Berar |date=11 February 2006 |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=20 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720225405/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1510174/Princess-Durruhsehvar-of-Berar.html |url-status=live}}{{cite book|last=Leonard|first=Karen Isaksen|title=Locating Home: India's Hyderabadis Abroad|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HQCvgavbQjgC&pg=PA310|year=2007|publisher=Stanford University Press|location=Stanford, California|isbn=978-0-8047-5442-2|page=310}}

Azam Jah and Durru Shehvar had two sons, Mukarram Jah and Muffakham Jah, with the former succeeding his grandfather as the de jure Nizam.

His second son Moazzam Jah, after his divorce from Princess Nilofer, since she couldn't bear a child, married Razia Begum and had three daughters - Princess Fatima Fouzia, Princess Amina Merzia and Princess Oolia Kulsum. He also married Anwari Begum and had a son, Prince Shahmat Jah.{{Citation|last=Family|title=Nizam's Family Tree|url=https://archive.org/details/whats-app-image-2021-10-06-at-9.36.43-am|access-date=13 October 2021}}

Another socially prominent grandson is Mir Najaf Ali Khan, son of Hasham Jah,{{Cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/hyderabad-news/heirs-of-hyderabads-last-nizam-demand-277-acres-royal-property-in-aurangabad-1799761 |title=Last Hyderabad Nizam's Heirs Demand 277 Acres Royal Property in Aurangabad |work=NDTV.com|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811204403/https://www.ndtv.com/hyderabad-news/heirs-of-hyderabads-last-nizam-demand-277-acres-royal-property-in-aurangabad-1799761|archive-date=11 August 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |author=Syed Akbar |date=5 July 2017 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/nizams-heir-goes-by-blue-book-wants-market-rate-for-acquired-land/articleshow/59449745.cms |title=Nizam's heir goes by Blue Book, wants market rate for acquired land |work=The Times of India|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725212733/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/nizams-heir-goes-by-blue-book-wants-market-rate-for-acquired-land/articleshow/59449745.cms|archive-date=25 July 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2017-04-27/Nizams-grandson-basks-in-grandpas-glory/296107 |title=Nizam's grandson basks in grandpa's glory |website=The Hans India |language=en |date=27 April 2017|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916130329/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2017-04-27/Nizams-grandson-basks-in-grandpas-glory/296107|archive-date=16 September 2018|url-status=live}} who represents several trusts of the last Nizam, including the H.E.H. the Nizam's Charitable Trust and the Nizam Family Welfare Association.

The Nizams' daughters had been married traditionally to young men of the House of Paigah. This family belonged to the Sunni sect.{{cite news |first1= TNN |last1=a |title=Paigah scion Mujeeb Yar Jung dead {{!}} Hyderabad News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/paigah-scion-mujeeb-yar-jung-dead/articleshow/2936270.cms |work=The Times of India |date=9 Apr 2008 |language=en}} One of his daughters Ahmed-un-Nisa Begum, by his first wife Azam-un-Nisa Begum, was once engaged to a nawab, but the Nizam suddenly called off the wedding after a traveling holy man warned him that he would not live long after her marriage. She remained unmarried,{{cite web | title=INDIA: The Nizam's Daughter | website=Time | date=1959-01-19 | url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,868973,00.html | access-date=2024-05-20}} and died on 24 March 1985. Another of his daughters was Basheer-un-Nisa Begum. She was born in September 1927. She married Nawab Kazim Jung, popularly known as Ali Pasha, and had one daughter. She died at her residence, Osman Cottage, in Purani Haveli, of natural causes on 28 July 2020, aged ninety-three. She was the last surviving child of the Nizam.{{cite web | title=Last of Hyderabad Nizam's children, Sahebzadi Basheerunnisa Begum passes away | website=The News Minute | date=2020-07-29 | url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/telangana/last-hyderabad-nizam-s-children-sahebzadi-basheerunnisa-begum-passes-away-129637 | access-date=2024-05-19}}{{cite web | last=Akbar | first=Syed | title=Hyderabad: Sahebzadi Basheerunnisa Begum, last of Nizam's kids, dies | website=The Times of India | date=2020-07-29 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/hyderabad-sahebzadi-basheerunnisa-begum-last-of-nizams-kids-dies/articleshow/77231858.cms | access-date=2024-05-19}} Another daughter Mashhadi Begum, by his wife Leila Begum, was born in September 1939. In January 1959, she married Paigah noble Mahmood Jah, and had four sons and two daughters. She died on 16 November 2015 due to chronic illness. Her funeral was performed at Masjid-e Judi, and she was buried at the Paigah Tombs, besides to her husband.{{cite web | title=Mashadi Begum, favourite daughter of Nizam, dead way | website=Deccan Chronicle | date=2015-11-17 | url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/151117/nation-current-affairs/article/mashadi-begum-favourite-daughter-nizam-dead-way | access-date=2024-05-19}} His youngest daughter by Leila Begum, Sayeeda Begum also known as Lily Pasha, was born on 30 December 1949. She died of a brief illness on 17 July 2017, and was buried in Masjid-e Judi. She was survived by a son and a daughter.{{cite web | title=Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions | via=PressReader | url=https://www.pressreader.com/india/deccan-chronicle/20170718/281775629209321 | access-date=2024-05-19}} Some other daughters were Asmat-un-Nisa Begum, Hurmat-un-Nisa Begum,{{cite book | title=Frontline | publisher=S. Rangarajan for Kasturi & Sons | issue=v. 8 | year=1991 | page=73}} Mehr-un-Nisa Begum and Masood-un-Nisa Begum.{{cite web | last=Sur | first=Aihik | title=Not 120, over 200 of Nizam kin may claim Hyderabad funds | website=The New Indian Express | date=2019-10-21 | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2019/Oct/21/not-120-over-200-of-nizam-kin-may-claim-hyderabad-funds-2050589.html | access-date=2024-05-23}}

Various parties have used Nizam's name for political gains. Another great-grandson, Himayat Ali Mirza wrote to the prime minister in this regard along with the Election Commission of India, requesting political parties not to use Nizam's name in today's politics as it is disrespectful to such a great personality.{{Cite web|date=October 1, 2021|author=Syed Akbar|title=Hyderabad: Don't project Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan as a villain for votes, kin writes to PM {{!}} Hyderabad News |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/dont-project-nizam-as-villain-for-votes-kin-writes-to-pm/articleshow/86667014.cms|access-date=15 October 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}}

The Nizam continued to stay at the King Kothi Palace until his death. He used to issue firmans on inconsequential matters in his newspaper, the Nizam Gazette.

He died on Friday, 24 February 1967. In his will, he asked to be buried in Masjid-e Judi, a mosque where his mother was buried, that faced King Kothi Palace.{{cite web |url=https://www.siasat.com/news/floarl-tribute-nizam-vii-1322809/ |title=Floarl Tribute to Nizam VII – The Siasat Daily |website=siasat.com |date=25 February 2018|access-date=21 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422062341/https://www.siasat.com/news/floarl-tribute-nizam-vii-1322809/|archive-date=22 April 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/heritage-enthusiasts-pay-rich-tributes-to-seventh-nizam/article23460365.ece |title=Heritage enthusiasts pay rich tributes to seventh Nizam |newspaper=The Hindu |date=7 April 2018 |access-date=14 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230191657/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/heritage-enthusiasts-pay-rich-tributes-to-seventh-nizam/article23460365.ece|archive-date=30 December 2018|url-status=live}} The government declared state mourning on 25 February 1967, the day when he was buried. State government offices remained closed as a mark of respect while the National Flag of India was flown at half-mast on all the government buildings throughout the state.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/pictures-50-years-ago-sea-people-turned-death-hyderabads-last-nizam-57707 |title=In pictures: 50 years ago a sea of people turned up for Death of Hyderabads Last Nizam |website=thenewsminute.com|access-date=23 March 2019 |date=24 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218171434/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/pictures-50-years-ago-sea-people-turned-death-hyderabads-last-nizam-57707|archive-date=18 December 2017|url-status=live}} The Nizam Museum documents state:

"The streets and pavements of the city were littered with the pieces of broken glass bangles as an incalculable number of women broke their bangles in mourning, which Telangana women usually do as per Indian customs on the death of a close relative."{{Cite web |url=http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31809&articlexml=Modern-Hyd-architect-statehood-icon-Nizam-VII-fades-24022017006023 |title=The Times Group |website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327093411/http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31809&articlexml=Modern-Hyd-architect-statehood-icon-Nizam-VII-fades-24022017006023|archive-date=27 March 2019|url-status=dead}}

"The Nizam's funeral procession was the biggest non-religious, non-political meeting of people in the history of India till that date."

Millions of people of all religions from different parts of the state entered Hyderabad in trains, buses and on bullocks for a last glimpse of their king in a coffin in the King Kothi Palace Camp in Hyderabad.{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/on-his-50th-death-anniversary-hyderabad-s-last-nizam-is-a-forgotten-king/story-C893eZBp0ymVSqiffqTHtJ.html |title=On his 50th death anniversary, the last Nizam of Hyderabad |work=Hindustan Times |date=24 February 2017 |access-date=16 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019164042/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/on-his-50th-death-anniversary-hyderabad-s-last-nizam-is-a-forgotten-king/story-C893eZBp0ymVSqiffqTHtJ.html |archive-date=19 October 2018 |url-status=live}} The crowd was so uncontrollable that barricades were installed alongside the road to enable people to move in a queue.{{cite news |title=Nizam's opulence has no takers |url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hyderabad-Tab/2017-02-25/Nizams-opulance-has-no-takers/283066 |publisher=The Hans India |access-date=16 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823210456/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hyderabad-Tab/2017-02-25/Nizams-opulance-has-no-takers/283066 |archive-date=23 August 2018 |url-status=live}} D. Bhaskara Rao, chief curator, of the Nizam's Museum stated that an estimated one million people were part of the procession.{{Cite web |author=Syed Akbar |date=25 February 2017 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/modern-hyderabad-architect-and-statehood-icon-nizam-vii-fades-into-history/articleshow/57324957.cms |title=Mir Osman Ali Khan: Modern Hyderabad architect and statehood icon, Nizam VII fades into history |website=The Times of India |access-date=16 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902195213/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/modern-hyderabad-architect-and-statehood-icon-nizam-vii-fades-into-history/articleshow/57324957.cms |archive-date=2 September 2018 |url-status=live}}

The Nizam was the honorary Colonel of the 20 Deccan Horse. In 1918, King George V elevated Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Siddiqi Bahadur from "His Highness" to "His Exalted Highness". In a letter dated 24 January 1918, the title "Faithful Ally of the British Government" was conferred on him.{{Cite web |url=http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/h/hyderabad.html |title=Hyderabad (Princely State) |work=The Indian Princely States Website |access-date=16 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030107054442/http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/h/hyderabad.html |archive-date=7 January 2003 |url-status=dead}}{{better source needed|date=June 2022}}

The titles during his life were:

1886–1911: Nawab Bahadur Mir Osman Ali Khan Siddiqi.

1911–1912: His Highness Rustam-i-Dauran, Arustu-i-Zaman, Wal Mamaluk, Asaf Jah VII, Muzaffar ul-Mamaluk, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Sir Osman ‘Ali Khan Siddqi Bahadur, Sipah Salar, Fath Jang, Nizam of Hyderabad, GCSI

1912–1917: Colonel His Highness Rustam-i-Dauran, Arustu-i-Zaman, Wal Mamaluk, Asaf Jah VII, Muzaffar ul-Mamaluk, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Sir Osman ‘Ali Khan Siddqi Bahadur, Sipah Salar, Fath Jang, Nizam of Hyderabad, GCSI

1917–1918: Colonel His Highness Rustam-i-Dauran, Arustu-i-Zaman, Wal Mamaluk, Asaf Jah VII, Muzaffar ul-Mamaluk, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Sir Osman ‘Ali Khan Siddqi Bahadur, Sipah Salar, Fath Jang, Nizam of Hyderabad, GCSI, GBE

1918–1936: Lieutenant-General His Exalted Highness Rustam-i-Dauran, Arustu-i-Zaman, Wal Mamaluk, Asaf Jah VII, Muzaffar ul-Mamaluk, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Sir Osman ‘Ali Khan Siddqi Bahadur, Sipah Salar, Fath Jang, Faithful Ally of the British Government, Nizam of Hyderabad, GCSI, GBE

1936–1941: Lieutenant-General His Exalted Highness Rustam-i-Dauran, Arustu-i-Zaman, Wal Mamaluk, Asaf Jah VII, Muzaffar ul-Mamaluk, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Sir Osman ‘Ali Khan Siddqi Bahadur, Sipah Salar, Fath Jang, Faithful Ally of the British Government, Nizam of Hyderabad and Berar, GCSI, GBE

1941–1967: General His Exalted Highness Rustam-i-Dauran, Arustu-i-Zaman, Wal Mamaluk, Asaf Jah VII, Muzaffar ul-Mamaluk, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Sir Osman ‘Ali Khan Siddqi Bahadur, Sipah Salar, Fath Jang, Faithful Ally of the British Government, Nizam of Hyderabad and Berar, GCSI, GBE.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/27511/supplement/3 |title=Page 3 {{pipe}} The Gazette |access-date=30 July 2020 |archive-date=12 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312191123/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/27511/supplement/3 |url-status=live}}

• Recipient of the Delhi Durbar Gold Medal, 1911 as part of the 1911 Delhi Durbar Honours,{{London Gazette |issue=28559 |date=12 December 1911 |page=9357 }}{{cite news |last1=Shanker |first1=CR Gowri |title=Nizam VII cared more for people than himself |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/270518/nizam-vii-cared-more-for-people-than-himself.html |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=27 May 2018 |language=en}}
• GCSI: Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India, 1911{{cite book |last1=Cannadine |first1=David |author-link=David Cannadine | title=Ornamentalism: How the British Saw Their Empire |date=2002 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-515794-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=daDh_x2Ne_wC&q=Royal%20Victorian%20Chain%20%3A%20nizam&pg=PA96 |language=en |access-date=2 August 2020 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915185221/https://books.google.com/books?id=daDh_x2Ne_wC&lpg=PA96&dq=Royal+Victorian+Chain+%3A+nizam&pg=PA96 |url-status=live}}
• GCStJ: Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order of St John, 1911
• GBE: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, 1917
• Recipient of the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal, 1935
• Recipient of the King George VI Coronation Medal, 1937
• Recipient of the Royal Victorian Chain, 1946

• Osmania General Hospital
• Osmania Biscuit
• Osman Sagar, a reservoir in Hyderabad
• Osmanabad
• The Nizam of Hyderabad necklace
• The Nizam Gate of Ajmer Sharif Dargah{{cite news |last1=Safvi |first1=Rana |title=In the Chishti shrine in Ajmer |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/in-the-chishti-shrine-in-ajmer/article26292437.ece |work=The Hindu |date=16 February 2019 |language=en-IN}}

• Establishments of the Nizams
• Hospitals established by the Nizams
• Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway
• Nizams of Hyderabad
• Asaf Jahi dynasty
• Hyderabad State

{{Reflist}}

{{Refbegin|2}}

• The Splendour of Hyderabad: The Last Phase of an Oriental Culture (1591–1948 A.D.) By M.A. Nayeem {{ISBN|81-85492-20-4}}
• The Nocturnal Court: The Life of a Prince of Hyderabad By Sidq Jaisi
• Developments in Administration Under H.E.H. the Nizam VII By Shamim Aleem, M. A. Aleem [https://books.google.com/books?id=nWYeAAAAMAAJ&q=jubilee+hall+hyderabad Developments in Administration Under H.E.H. the Nizam VII]
• Jewels of the Nizams (Hardcover) by Usha R. Krishnan (Author) {{ISBN|81-85832-15-3}}
• Fabulous Mogul: Nizam VII of Hyderabad By Dosoo Framjee Karaka Published 1955 D. Verschoyle, Original from the University of Michigan [https://books.google.com/books?id=oSg-AAAAMAAJ&q=king+kothi+palace Fabulous Mogul: Nizam VII of Hyderabad]
• The Seventh Nizam: The Fallen Empire By Zubaida Yazdani, Mary Chrystal {{ISBN|0-9510819-0-X}}
• The Last Nizam: The Life and Times of Mir Osman Ali Khan By V.K. Bawa, Basant K. Bawa {{ISBN|0-670-83997-3}}
• The Seventh Nizam of Hyderabad: An Archival Appraisal By Sayyid Dā'ūd Ashraf [https://books.google.com/books?id=nYhMGQAACAAJ&q=The+seventh+Nizam+of+Hyderabad+:+an+archival+appraisal The Seventh Nizam of Hyderabad: An Archival Appraisal]
• {{Cite book |title=Misrule of the Nizam: being extracts from and translations of articles regarding the administration of Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Deccan |first=D |last=Raghavendra Rao |date=27 July 1926 |publisher="Swarajya" Press |oclc=5067242}}
• {{Cite book |title=Photographs of Lord Willingdon's visit to Hyderabad in the early 1930s |date=27 July 1931 |oclc=33453066}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Modern_Hyderabad_(Deccan) |title=Modern Hyderabad (Deccan) |last=Law |first=John |publisher=Thacker, Spink and Co. |year=1914 }}
• {{Cite book|last=Faruqui |first=Munis D. |chapter=At Empire's End: The Nizam, Hyderabad and Eighteenth-century India |editor1=Richard M. Eaton |editor2=Munis D. Faruqui |editor3=David Gilmartin |editor4=Sunil Kumar |title=Expanding Frontiers in South Asian and World History: Essays in Honour of John F. Richards |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h0_xhdCScQkC&pg=PA1 |year=2013 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-03428-0 |pages=1–38 |ref={{sfnref|Faruqui, At Empire's End|2013}}}}{{Cbignore}}

{{Refend}}

{{Commons category|Asaf Jah VII}}

• [https://archive.siasat.com/news/nizam-vii-took-care-people-despite-being-monarch-198446/ "The Nizam often used to call Muslims and the Hindus as his two eyes" in Siasat]
• [https://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19370222,00.html The Nizam of Hyderabad on the cover of Time]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RW7fkzi_hA History of Nizam's Hyderabad Deccan]
• [https://telanganatoday.com/cultural-accomplishments-of-nizam-era The progressive rule of Nizams]

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|before=Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III

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{{Hyderabad state}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Royalty|India|History}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Osman Ali Khan}}

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