The Princely state of Hyderabad was merged into the Indian republic after much strife. Much has been said and written about the workings of the erstwhile nawab land. However, certain things have always remained unknown to most people. Apparently, there was something known as the 'Hyderabadi Rupee' ‘Postal Stamp’, ‘Flag’ and State Emblem’ and they coexisted with the Indian rupee, Indian flag, Indian Postal stamps, ‘Indian Emblem’ even after India's independence.
The State of Hyderabad was the largest Indian princely state among the 565. Hyderabad was larger than the size of Great Britain and richest state at the time of independence which had its own railway, roadway, airline, telecommunication system, postal system, currency, radio service and a major public university.
1) Flag:
Asaf Jah 1 was a disciple of a sufi saint called Hazrat Nizamuddin Qutb-e-Deccan. According to a legend he once paid a visit to the saint while he was eating and the Saint invited him to join. Asaf Jah ate seven Kulchas and was asked to have another but he replied in the negative. The Hazrat then predicted: "You and your descendants will rule over the Deccan for seven generations." The Asafia flag bears the insignia of 'Kulcha' which lends credence to this tale. History shows that the prophecy of the saint indeed came true with the end of Asafia Dynasty wit Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad. Used from 1948-1949
2) Stamps:
The first stamps of Hyderabad were issued in beginning of 1869 and featured an Arabic script design with three different values 1/2, 1 and 2 Annas. They were replaced in 1880 with new design which was inscribed “POST STAMP” and the value was shown in four languages: Hindi, Telugu, Urdu and English around the center of the stamp. Founded: 1869, Abolished: 1948
3) Airlines:
In 1945 India’s second domestic airline, Deccan Airways, was founded as a joint venture between the Nizam and Tata sons. Deccan Airways was the first of a bunch of new airlines to serve domestically in India. It used to fly in the Hyderabad region, using a fleet of 12 Douglas DC-3s. The first services began in July 1946. Founded: 1945, Merged with Indian Airlines: 1953
4) Emblem:
The translation of "The Nizams Government" in Arabic, surrounded by the legend: THE NIZAM'S GOVERNMENT HYDERABAD DECCAN. In chief the royal turban and the words HIS EXALTED HIGHNESS.
5) Railways:
The Nizams surely thought ahead of their times. The railway network is one of the legacies that they left behind. In 1873, the Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway Company (NGSR) was set up in London, the major share was held by the Nizam himself. The first railway line was built in 1874, between Secunderabad junction and Wadi. Over time, the NGSR built more and more rail lines and tried to connect every part of Hyderabad state by rail. Founded: 1873, Merged in Central Railways: 1951
6) Road Transport:
In June of 1932 the Nizam’s Road Transport was established as a part of the Nizam State Rail with 27 buses and 166 employees. Later on the Nizam’s State Rail was converted into the Nizam’s State Rail and Road Transport Department (N.S.R.R.T.D.). Founded: 1932
7) Radio:
Deccan Radio was the first radio station of Hyderabad State that went live on air on 3rd February 1935, initially it was launched as a private broadcasting station with transmitting power of 200 Watts. The programs were broadcast in Urdu. It was located at Azam Manzil, Chirag Ali Lane, Abids, Hyderabad State. Founded: 1935, Merged with All India Radio: 1956
8) Currency:
The Hyderabadi Rupee was the currency of the Hyderabad State from 1918 to 1959. It coexisted with the Indian rupee from 1950. Like the Indian rupee, it was divided into 16 annas, each of 12 pai. Coins were issued in copper (later bronze) for denominations of 1 and 2 pai and ½ anna, in cupro-nickel (later bronze) for 1 anna and in silver for 2, 4 and 8 annas and 1 rupee.
Hyderabad was the only Indian princely state that was permitted to continue issuing its own notes after joining the Dominion of India in 1948 and the Republic of India in 1950. At that time 7 hyderabadi rupees equalled to 6 Indian rupees. Founded: 1918, Abolished: 1959
9) Army:
The Nizam Army was a combination of a number of different military forces commanded by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Three different groups were commanded by three different independent commanders. Nizam, Diwan, and an important officer in Nizam's government called Shangal Umara or "Amin Kabir" maintained their own separate forces. Founded: 1724, Abolished: 1948
Also, do SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to get more awesome video content delivered right into your inbox.
