Masarath mahal , the cradle of Nizams
Masarath Mahal, one of the imposing structures in the Haveli-e-Qadeem or Purani Haveli, can best be described as the “cradle“ of the Nizams. Three of the seven Nizams of Hyderabad were born in this palace. The palace is now testimony to the architectural taste of the Asaf Jahi dynasty .
Each stone in the palace and the Purani Haveli complex speaks of tradition and the royal regime of the Hyderabad of yore. I grew up reclining in the memories of the glory of this beautiful compound.
I'm often nostalgic as I sit at the palace now, discharging my duties as secretary of the Mukarram Jah Trust.
In 1724, Asaf Jah I was granted the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk (governor) by the Mughal emperor. The Asaf Jahi dynasty ruled the Deccan territory until 1948. Later, the Asaf Jahs were entitled the Nizams of Hyderabad. Their period of rule showed good progress in Hyderabad. During the regime of Nawab Mir Mehboob Ali Khan, Nizam VI, there were several nobles including the Paigah nobles, Umr-ae-Uzzan/Samsthan Rajas, ministers, medium jagirdars and small jagirdars.
In 1777, Mir Nizam Ali Khan acquired land in Haveli-e-Qadeem from Rukn-ud-Dowla, a descendant of Mir Momin Saheb, and built a mahal for his son, Sikander Jah, the Nizam III. The Nizam II constructed a big yellow gate at the entrance and Nawab Afzal-ud-Dowla, the Nizam, lived there for most of his life. The Nizams V , VI and VII were born at the Mahal of Havelie-Qadeem known as Masarath Mahal. Nawab Mir Mehboob Ali Khan lived there most of his life and extended the palace tastefully, adding a beautiful fountain.
The entire premises, known as Haveli-e-Qadeem with the main Masarath Mahal and its ancillary buildings, are reminiscent of 18th century architecture. The main building of Masarath Mahal has various wings of the Mukarram Jah School, Mukarram Jah Junior College, and a Wardrobe of Nizam VI on the first floor.
Nawab Mir Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah Bahadur created a Trust in 1971; the Mukarram Jah Trust for Education and Learning. He endowed the entire property of Haveli-e-Qadeem including Masarath Mahal for the purpose of education to the trust.
The trust now runs a school and junior college in the ancillary building of Masarath Mahal.
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