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Historic Donation of  Mir Osman Ali Khan

     His Exalted Highness Nizam Sir Mir Osman Ali Khan Siddiqui Asaf Jah VII; the name itself holds the listener in awe. Deemed as the richest man in the world during his reign, he had an estimated fortune of US$2 billion in the early 1940s. He was even portrayed on the cover of Time magazine, referring to him as the world’s richest man.

So how did he become so rich? The answer lies in diamonds. No, he did not sell diamonds; instead, his vast inheritance was gathered through the possession of mining royalties, and not land revenue. In the 19th century, Hyderabad State in British India was the only supplier of diamonds for the global market. 

MIr Osman Ali Khan Bahadur was a ruler of principles, many say. According to various accounts, the last Nizam was benevolent, and understood the importance of education, science and development. His rule lasted three years short of four decades, during which electricity was popularized, development of roads, railways and airways  initiated, and 

progress was booming all over. The VIIthNizam also started his own bank, now known as the State Bank of Hyderabad. Most of the major public buildings in Hyderabad were constructed during his reign.

A man in possession of incredible amounts of wealth, the Nizam put it to good use. It is said that up to 11% of his wealth was spent on education; he made primary education compulsory, which was free for the poor. He made donations to many educational institutions abroad and in India.

Although India was partitioned from Pakistan, the Nizam refused to join either countries and demanded a separate kingdom, the appeal for which was rejected. Being the ruler he was, Mir Osman Ali Khan’s efforts and negotiations to change the government’s mind continued, but to no avail. Eventually, Operation Polo was conducted, where the Princely State of Hyderabad was evaded and captured.

Another historic milestone was set by Mir Osman Ali Khan. When India won the war against Pakistan in 1965, she faced potential threats from the other neighbour, China. The then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri attempted at gathering funds to up the security of the nation and to prepare for yet another latent war; he sought the help of the Rajas of various states, who did not compensate much. The Prime Minister, aware of the generosity of the Nizam, headed to Hyderabad, where he was met with much more than he ever asked for. With no hesitation, the Nizam donated 5000 kilograms of gold into the National Defence Fund, set up by Shastri. This is an amount that set a record of the biggest ever contribution made by any individual or organization in India, a record which has not been broken, and which will probably never will be. The donation, if made now, would amount up to Rs. 1500 crores!

24th February, 2016 marks the 49th death anniversary of the last Nizam of Hyderabad. A man of integrity, honour and generosity, a man who patronised education and progress,  -  Mir Osman Ali Khan, will always be remembered.