Nizam's Rolls Royce gets makeover after 100-years
It is exactly 100 years since the priceless Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Throne car was delivered at the doorstep of Mir Osman Ali Khan, the VII Nizam of Hyderabad, and the then richest man in the world.
And it was an occasion for Hyderabadis to celebrate the arrival of the first imported car into the city.
The elegant vintage car with its rich canary yellow body and gold mountings, lights and silver-finished roof will be on display for visitors on Tuesday at the Chowmahalla Palace of the Nizams, where a special function is being held in the honour of Princess Esra, wife of the Nizam's grandson Mukarram Jah.
According to G. Kishan Rao, director of Chowmahalla Palace, the luxurious Rolls Royce was originally ordered by Mehboob Ali Khan, the VI Nizam as a state limousine in 1911. The car is a 1912 make with chassis number 2117, a 40/50 horse power engine capacity and gives a mileage of eight miles per gallon. The order was placed with noted coach builder Barkers of Edinburgh, who were asked to develop a special body which was to epitomise a throne on wheels while retaining the regal splendour of the Nizam's grand court.
"However, before its completion, Mehboob Ali Khan passed away in 1911. It was delivered in 1912 to the VII Nizam, who used it only for ceremonial occasions. It was maintained by the Hyderabad State Railway at its garage. During his career of 26 years in Hyderabad, the Nizam travelled in the car sparingly, which is why it had run only 356 miles," Kishan Rao said.
After the Nizam's death, it was lying in ruins at the Chiran Fort Palace until about three years ago, when Ameenuddin Khan, administrator of the Nizam's private estate, thought of restoring its former glory with Esra' support.
The task of restoring the royal Rolls Royce car was entrusted to Rana Manvendra Singh Barwani of Indore, the famous curator of vintage cars.
"He and his teammates made all efforts to restore the pristine glory of the car. The royal cabin was lined with the finest French brocade available," Rao said.
The palace director, however, refused to mention the original cost of the vehicle or of its restoration.
"We don't have any records of what price the Rolls Royce car was purchased. One cannot give an exact value for antique pieces. Some say it could be worth Rs.20 crore, but I don't like to mention any price," he said.
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A collection of jewels of the Nizams of Hyderabad is the most expensive collection in India. It consists of 173 items and includes more than 25,000 diamonds weighing over 12,000 carats (2.4 kg ), 2000 emeralds , 40,000 pearls. The collection of decorations for a turban , necklaces , necklaces, belts, earrings , bracelets , watches and chains for them , buttons , rings , rings for the toes , nose ornaments . The undoubted "star" collection - Jacob diamond , which Nizam found hidden in his father's old sneaker and used as a paperweight. Uncut of a pure crystal belongs to the seven largest diamonds in the world , weighs 184.75 carats and is valued at $ 100 million.
After the death of Osman Ali government offered 160 Nizam 's heirs to redeem their entire collection , but those are not satisfied with the price . In 1979, the collection was nearly put up for auction. As a result of the treasures could be in the hands of foreign owners . However , the administration of the National Museum has made in the Supreme Court ban on his holding . It was only in 1995 , the collection was finally acquired by the state for 2.18 billion rupees, according to experts at the cost of collection is about ten times more. Currently, the collection is stored in the Reserve Bank of Mumbai. Part of it is periodically exhibited in museums.
After the death of Osman Ali government offered 160 Nizam 's heirs to redeem their entire collection , but those are not satisfied with the price . In 1979, the collection was nearly put up for auction. As a result of the treasures could be in the hands of foreign owners . However , the administration of the National Museum has made in the Supreme Court ban on his holding . It was only in 1995 , the collection was finally acquired by the state for 2.18 billion rupees, according to experts at the cost of collection is about ten times more. Currently, the collection is stored in the Reserve Bank of Mumbai. Part of it is periodically exhibited in museums.
It was in 1972 that the jewels of the Nizams of Hyderabad, rumoured to be one of the most exceptional collection, were offered for sale to the Government of India for Rupees 218 crore. The deal was struck. However, it has taken almost 23 years to finally acquire the jewels, after prolonged court cases and colossal expenses.
First, the jewels were shifted to the vaults of the Reserve Bank of India from the Hongkong Bank where they were being held earlier. Later, the jewellery was exhibited for the first time at the National Museum in New Delhi for about two months during September - December, 2001.
The 173 piece collection was built up over seven generations of the Asaf Jabs or the Nizams as rulers were called. Although the Nizams ruled over the Deccan, they had adopted the lifestyle, court traditions and administrative practices of the Mughals.
The jewellery, therefore, is a synthesis of Mughal, deccani, as well as European influences. It reflects the ethos of a dynasty that originated in the Mughal court, ruled the Deccan and was a staunch ally of the British empire. It was during the seventh and the last Nizam's -Mir Osman Ali Khan- time that care was taken to preserve the timeless treasure. It was difficult for the Nizams, who had a large family and a retinue of servants, to take of their own.
It was then that Mir Osman Ali Khan, with a view to safeguarding this fabulous wealth, started liquidating a portion of his astronomical fortune and allocated it to a series of trusts. The most unique of these was the Nizam Jewellery Trust, being the only one to have been established by an Indian ruler. He also created a supplementary Jewellery Trust, incorporated in 1951, being the only one to have been established by an Indian ruler. He also created another supplementary Jewellery Trust after allocating gifts to his grandsons in 1952. The trustees kept this treasure of great historical value in the vaults of the Hongkong Bank.
The present collection comprises a total of 173 items. The actual number of the pieces is 325 (counting individual pieces and not as pairs) excluding about 22 unset emeralds and the legendary Jacob diamond.
The collection includes a number of sarpench (bejew-elled headgear), necklaces, waist-belts, buckles, brace-lets, anklets, armlets, toe-rings, finger -rings, pocket watches, watch chains, buttons and cuff-links, to name but a few. All the jewels are flamboyant, yet, there are certain pieces which stand out for their unique quality, size and colour, and most importantly, for their workmanship.
Most of the diamonds used in the jewellery came from the mines in Golconda which were owned by the Nizams. This is one reason why all the pieces invariably have diamonds that are either uncut or cut into magnificent pieces by the local artisans. The luster and brilliance of the Golconda diamonds is most apparent in the sarpenchs, especially those that are to be worn over the headgear. These are in gold, set with diamonds, emerald beads and cabochon rubies. There is a very special sarpench which was made for a young prince, Mahabub Ali, when he ascended the throne. It is called 'Bachkana sarpench' and has been chosen to be the logo of the exhibition. The brilliance of Golconda diamonds set in this piece outshines that in any other piece. A solitaire set in gold, with five smaller diamonds on each side, has on its top an exquisite bird crafted with small diamonds for its plumage and a ruby as its eye. Interestingly, the bird holds a tiny 'taveez' (lucky charm) in its beak.
The organisers at Salarjung Museum have provided the perfect ambience for display of these priceless jewels. These have been placed in a specially built hall decorated with chandeliers, modern lighting and lush carpets. The ornaments have been illuminated with optic - fibre spot lights and are showcased behind bullet-proof glass. This royal collection is the only one of its kind owned by the Government of India.
Among the exhibited pieces, the imperial diamond, known as Jacob diamond, is a fabulour piece, Weighing 184.75 carats, this sparkling beauty is double the size of the Koh-i-Noor diamond and is said to be the seventh largest in the world. It was acquired by the sixth Nizam, Mir Mahabub Ali Pasha in 1891 from a Jewish trader, A.K. Jacob and hence the name. - (India Perspectives)
The Princely State of Hyderabad was founded around 1724 when Mir Qamar-ud-Din, the Mughal Viceroy of the Deccan, assumed independence under the title of Asaf Jah and founded the dynasty of the Nizams of Hyderabad. In the post 1857 era, the State of Hyderabad was one of the largest Princely States in India and later came to be known as the 'Dominion of His Exalted Highness, the Nizam'. The State which covered territories presently included in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka was assimilated into the Indian Union in September 1948. In matters of currency and coinage, the coins of the Nizams were issued in the name of the Mughal Emperor till 1858 when a coin legend was introduced with the name of the founder of the state, Asaf Jha. Thereafter, they were struck independently and the new coins were termed the 'Hali Sicca', i.e., the current coins. In 1903-04 coins were machine struck for the first time. These coins featured the Charminar on the obverse with Persian inscription Nizam-ul-mulk Bahadur Asaf Jah around it. The reverse carried the value. These coins confirmed to the British coins in denominations and metals.
THE COINS AND CURRENCY NOTES OF THE NIZAM DOMINION.
When the English assumed the power of administration, there were more than three hundred native states minting their own independent coins. These native states found that the retention of the name of the Mughal Emperor on their coins are not justified and so they gradually removed the same. However, they retained the old practice of having Persian inscriptions on their coins.
The English administration, after sanctioning this, conceded the right of minting coins only to 34 states put in to 3 categories.
a) The fifteen states which imprinted the name of the English Queen on their coins.
b) Ratlam & Sailana states inscribed the name of state,date and denomination of the coins.
c) Hyderabad, Travancore, Gwalior, Indore and Baroda states ignored in placing the name of the king, but placed their name of the ruler.
First modern series of coins incorporating the historical Charminar were minted and remained till 1948.
Gold coins – it was not legal tender, but used for ceremonial and ornamental purposes and also as gift to the Nizam’s.
Design of the Gold coins are,
Ashrafi = 172.5 gms.
Half Ashrafi = 86.25 gms.
Quarter Ashrafi = 43.125 gms.
One-eighth Ashrafi = 21.562 gms.
In 1930, the value of gold Ashrafi’s in terms of O.S Rupees was full Ashrafi – Rs 29/-, half Ashrafi – Rs 15/-, quarter Ashrafi – Rs 8/-, and one-eighth Ashrafi – Rs 5/- .
Silver coins – Silver coins were in 4 denominations Rupee,8 Annas,4 Annas,and 2 Annas.
Copper coins – There were 3 copper coins, the half, one-sixth, and one-twelfth anna.
Currency Act – In 1911, the Currency Act was passed and in 1936, the Act was modified and nickel coins followed by several other modifications and amendments to the original Act.
Paper Currency – Paper currency was introduced in 1918
Hundred Rupee Note – 1918.Ten Rupee Note – 1918Five Rupee Note – 1919One Rupee Note – 1919One Thousand Rupee Note – 1926
Qamar-ud-din Khan, Asaf Jah I (1720-1748)
Mir Ahmed Ali Khan Siddiqi, Nizam-ud-Dowlah Nasir Jang (1748-1750)
Nawab Hidayat Mohi-ud-din Sa'adu'llah Khan Bahadur, Muzaffar Jang (1750-1751)
Nawab Syed Mohammed Khan Siddiqi, Amir ul Mulk, Salabat Jang (1751-1762)
Nawab Mir Nizam Ali Khan Siddiqi Bahadur, Nizam ul Mulk, Asaf Jah II (1762-1803)
Nawab Mir Akbar Ali Khan Sikandar Jah Siddiqi, Asaf Jah III (1803-1829)
Nawab Mir Farkhonda Ali Khan Siddiqi Nasir-ud-Daulah, Asaf Jah IV (1829-1857)
Nawab Mir Tahniat Ali Khan Siddiqi Afzal ud Daulah, Asaf Jah V (1857-1869)
Fateh Jang Nawab Mir Mahboob Ali Khan Siddiqi, Asaf Jah VI (1869-1911)
Fateh Jang Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Siddiqi, Asaf Jah VII (1911-1967)
Nizam a shortened version of Nizam-ul-Mulkedw, meaning Administrator of the Realm, was the title of the native sovereigns of Hyderabad State, India, since 1719, belonging to the Asaf Jah dynasty. The dynasty was founded by Mir Qamar-ud-Din Siddiqi, a viceroy of the Deccan under the Mughal emperors from 1713 to 1721 and who intermittently ruled under the title Asaf Jah in 1724, and After Aurangzeb's death in 1707, the Mughal Empire crumbled and the viceroy in Hyderabad, the young Asaf Jah, declared himself independent.
By the middle of 18th century, the scions, known as The Nizams, had quickly surpassed the Mughals ruling a vast dominion of about 125,000,000 acres (510,000 km2) in south India. They were among the wealthiest people in the world. Seven Nizams ruled Hyderabad for two centuries until Indian independence in 1947.
The Asaf Jahi rulers were great patrons of literature, art, architecture,culture, jewelry collection and rich food. The Nizams ruled the state until its integration into the Indian Union in September 1948 after independence from the British. Nizams were Shia muslims.
Family OriginsThe Asaf Jahi dynasty originated in the region around Samarkand, but the family came to India from Baghdad in the late 17th century. Shaikh Mir Ismail (Alam Shaikh Siddiqi) Alam ul-Ulema,son of Ayub younus Salim, son of Abdul Rehman Shaikh Azizan Siddiqi, fourteenth in direct decent from Sheikh Shihab-ud-din Siddiqi Suhrawardy, of Suharwada in Kurdistan, a celebrated [Sufi] mystic, or dervish, maternal (first), a lady of the family of Mir Hamadan (a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed), a distinguished Sayyid of Samarkand.
Origin of the Nizam TitleNizām-ul-mulk was a title first used in Urdu around 1600 to mean Governor of the realm or Deputy for the Whole Empire. The word is derived from the Arabic word, nizām (نظام), meaning order, arrangement. The Nizam was referred to as Ala Hadrat /Ala Hazrat or Nizam Sarkar, meaning His Exalted Highness (The last Nizam was awarded this title. It is a heredity title).
Rise of the NizamsThe first Nizams ruled on behalf of the Mughal emperors. But, after the death of Aurangazeb, the Nizams split away from the Mughals to form their kingdom. When the British achieved paramountcy over India, the Nizams were allowed to continue to rule their princely states. The Nizams retained power over Hyderabad State until September 1948 when it was integrated into the Indian Union.
The Asaf Jah dynasty had only seven rulers; however there was a period of 13 years after the rule of the first Nizam when three of his sons (Nasir Jung, Muzafar Jung and Salabath Jung) ruled. They were not officially recognized as the rulers.
A legend about the first Nizam states that, on one of his hunting trips he was offered some kulchas (an Indian bread) by a holy man and was asked to eat as many as he could. The Nizam could eat seven kulchas and the holy man then prophesied that seven generations of his family would rule the state.
The Nizams, by an honoured Hyderabad tradition that no Nizam has ever left India no matter how good a reason might exist for doing so, they believed, "the Sovereign is too precious to his people ever to leave India.".
Ever since Hyderabad stood aloof from the great first war of Indian Independence of 1857 while betraying many Indians and also at time acting against those who opposed the British such as Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan, its Royal Family had been accorded by British Royalty special honours and the Nizam was given the official status of Faithful Ally.
HYDERABAD FEUDATORIES
ELICHPUR
C# 10a PAISA
11.5000 g., Copper Obv: Tiger left Note: Size varies 18-20mm.
WANPARTI
C# 80 RUPEE
Silver Obv: “J” Obv. Inscription: Muhammad Akbar (II)
Rev: “A” in Nagari Note: Weight varies 10.70-11.60 grams.
SHORAPUR
AURANGABAD
SHORAPUR
AURANGABAD
C# 30 TOKA CASH
Copper Note: C#28 and #30 were named after Toka Raj who
operated the Aurangabad Mint under a state license from about 1830.
NARAYANPETT
C# 40 RUPEE
Silver Obv. Inscription: Shah Alam (II) Note: Weight varies
10.7 - 11.6 grams.
KALAYANI
SPECIAL THANKS TO
RAJESH KHOTA SAAB
I TOO HAVE FEW VERY RARE OLD COINS FROM MY GRAND FATHERS COLLECTION CAN ANY ONE GUIDE ME TO KNOW THE CURRENT VALUE AND HISTORY
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