Imam ul-Mulk Custodianship

fter Hyderabad merged with the Indian Union, the deed of the official transfer of the imperial title ‘Caliph’ from His Majesty Abdulmejid II – upon his death in France – to His Exalted Highness Mir Osman Ali Khan VII Nizam of Hyderabad for Prince Mukarram Jah, finally arrived in Hyderabad and remained there since.

Following the Nizam’s death in 1967, his grandson and successor Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur proclaimed himself VIII Nizam of Hyderabad, but for reasons unknown, did not claim the grand title of his maternal grandfather, the deed to which was deposited by the VII Nizam’s private military with the House of Imam ud-Daula, where it remained since.

To ensure the continuity of the title of Caliph of Islam – legally distinct from the abolished political institution of the Caliphate – His Majesty Caliph Abdulmejid II arranged for the marriage of his daughter, Her Imperial Highness Princess Durru Shehvar Sultan, to General His Highness Azam Jah Nawab Sir Mir Himayat Ali Khan Bahadur, the eldest son of the Nizam of Hyderabad.

In November 1931, TIME Magazine reported on the “secret engagement” between the Caliph’s daughter and the Nizam’s heir, which many Muslims perceived as a favorable union. The possibility of their marriage and the birth of a male descendant raised hopes of combining temporal and spiritual authority in a figure who could be proclaimed as “The True Caliph.”

According to The New York Times, the ex-caliph, Abdulmejid II, appointed his schoolboy grandson, Mukarram Jah, through his will as the inheritor of his claim to the lost caliphate. Though he never asserted a hereditary claim to the grand title of caliph, the young Mukarram inherited the duty to maintain it, which he failed.

His Exalted Highness Asaf Jah VIII Mukarram Jah Bahadur was coronated as VIII Nizam of Hyderabad in 1967, and took the oath upon the Uthman Codex Kufic Quran of the third Imperial Rashidun Caliph while holding the sword of his maternal grandfather His Majesty Caliph Abdulmejid II, but never claimed the grand title of Caliph.

Imam ul-Mulk IV Custodianship

In January 2023, black flags were raised all over the Old City of Hyderabad in mourning for the VIII Nizam who died while in self-exile in Turkey, and subsequently the House of Imam ud-Daula immediately recognized his eldest son and legal heir Prince Azmet Jah Bahadur as legal pretender to the customary and cultural title of IX Nizam of Hyderabad in hope he would claim the ceremonial legal title of Caliph in their possession to himself, as Jah’s legal heir.  However, in his wisdom, like his father, His Exalted Highness Prince Azmet Jah Bahadur, IX Nizam of Hyderabad did not claim the title of his father’s maternal grandfather either.

While acknowledging the political institution of the Caliphate as legally abolished by consensus of the Muslim world since 1924, the cultural entity of the grand title cannot be legally abolished. This is why His Majesty Caliph Abdulmejid II continued to claim the title, despite no longer being a monarch, nor having his name read at the Two Grand Mosques, nor in Jerusalem.

As a result of late Prince Mukarram Jah’s refusal throughout his life to claim and serve the non-political cultural title of his maternal grandfather, interpreted as not less than either a gross negligence on his part or more like a statement through action of his clear abjuration of the grand title ‘Caliph’ despite legally proclaiming himself ‘His Exalted Highness Asaf Jah VIII Nizam of Hyderabad’ in succession to his paternal grandfather, the House of Imam ud-Daula continues to hold in trust the deed to the title. This deed to the unbroken chain of the over 1400 years old cultural title of ‘Caliph’ – was transferred from the Imperial House of Osman for Prince Mukarram Jah to claim – in trust to His Exalted Highness Asaf Jah VII Mir Osman Ali Khan, VII Nizam of Hyderabad who in turn instructed his private military to keep it deposited with the Imam ud-Daula family, until the title is claimed by late Prince Mukarram Jah. Since both late Prince Mukarram Jah for the duration of his entire life, and after his death his successor Prince Azmet Jah both refused to claim it, the grand title deed, Mansab, remains under the Custodianship of the House of Imam ud-Daula indefinitely, the Head of whom in each subsequent generation inherits the ceremonial family title – Imam ul-Mulk.

After the death of Imam ul-Mulk II Al Sharif Lateefuddin in 1984, his brother His Excellency Al Sharif Vicaruddin was anointed Imam ul-Mulk III. In 2021, his successor Imam ul-Mulk IV Al Sharif Ahmed Ibn Abbas Al Askari was anointed as Imam ul-Mulk IV by the elders of the House of Imam ud-Daula in a private ceremony, and he was passed the hereditary title to the world’s oldest Urdu daily newspaper in circulation The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily (formerly Rahbar-E-Deccan), established in 1921.

According to Supreme Court of India documents, with the passing of Imam ul-Mulk III, the family also became heirs to the vast – litigated – estate of late Al Sharif Yusufuddin, which includes government registered sale deeds to immovable properties in Hyderabad’s prestigious Banjara Hills estimated to be valued at Rs.15,000 Crore ($1.84 Billion USD).

The incumbent Head of the House of Imam ud-Daula customarily titled Imam ul-Mulk IV is Al Sharif Ahmed Ibn Abbas Al Askari Al Hashemi.

ccording to the Royal Commission, the titles Imam ul-Mulk and Imam ud-Daula were given to the House of Imam ud-Daula – the maternal side parent House of the Paigahs (Nawabs of Afzalpur) – during Asaf Jah II Arastu i-Zaman Nizam ul-Mulk Nizam ud-Daula Mir Nizam Ali Khan Bahadur, Nizam of Hyderabad’s period under the Seal of the Great Mughal Emperor Shah Alam.

Unfortunately, these details and locations of the vast estate emerged from court proceedings between the Royal House of Imam ud-Daula – who are the legal heirs of Imam ul-Mulk and the three co-regent families of Hyderabad’s Royal Houses of Paigah – Vicar ul-Umara, Khurshid Jahi, and Asman Jahi during the period of Amir e-Paigah Nawab Zaheer Yar Jung whom the heirs of Imam ul-Mulk took to court, sued and defeated.

Maternally, the parent House of the Royal Houses of Paigah was that of the Nawab of Afzalpur – Raja Muhammad Murad Khan Shahjahani. Raja Murad Khan’s son Nawab Ghulam Husayn Khan, and Miran Begum Saheba, wife of Nawab Abul Khair Khan, were biological siblings. Their son was Nawab Shams ul-Umara I Abul Fateh Khan Taigh Jung. Nawab Ghulam Husayn Khan’s son was Nawab Ghulam Imam Khan titled Imam ul-Mulk, Imam ud-Daula. Imam ul-Mulk’s lineage continued through his granddaughter Qamarunnisa Begum. Her grandson was Nawab Al Sharif Ahmed Badshah Al Hasani. His daughter was Habibunnisa Mohammedi Begum, the maternal grandmother of Al Shairf Ahmed Ibn Abbas Al Askari Al Hashemi.

Included below is the copy of the ceremony by Asaf Jah II, the Great Mughal Emperor Shah Alam’s Seal recognizing Imam ul-Mulk, and a hand written letter from the Prime Minister of Hyderabad Maharaja Sir Kishan Prasad, calling upon the Paigah Royals to honorably restore the rights of the heirs of Imam ul-Mulk without delay.

The House of Imam ud-Daula claim in court was the division of the vast imperial Shahjahani estate of the Nawab of Afzalpur Raja Muhammad Murad Khan Shahjahani son of Nawab Mohammed Inyatullah Khan that came to the family of Nawab Shams ul-Umara I Abul Fateh Khan Taigh Jung from his mother was in fact supposed to be divided into four Royal Houses, not three, the last being Imam ul-Mulk’s House of Imam ud-Daula.

In conclusion, the Royal House of Paigah was ordered by the court to accept the family tree presented by the legal heirs of Imam ul-Mulk, the Royal Commission recognized their titles, and the proceedings were finally settled by the Royal Houses of Paigah.

This case was the longest settlement of inheritance suit to be settled in Hyderabad’s entire 400 year history, lasting 170 years.

The incumbent Head of the House of Imam ud-Daula customarily titled Imam ul-Mulk IV is Al Sharif Ahmed Ibn Abbas Al Askari Al Hashemi.

Translation: Important Decision Issued in the Case of Nawab Zaheer Yar Jung and the Heirs of Imam ul-Mulk

The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily 18-01-1959

The honorable court has delivered a significant decision in the case between Amir e-Paigah Asman Jahi Nawab Zaheer Yar Jung and the heirs of Imam ul-Mulk. This case revolved around disputes over inheritance rights and the ownership of vast properties and assets. The court ruled in favor of Imam ul-Mulk’s heirs, rejecting the claims made by the Nawab Zaheer Yar Jung.

The ruling established that the heirs of Imam ul-Mulk are the rightful beneficiaries of the contested properties and vast estates. The court emphasized that the distribution of assets must follow the principles of Islamic inheritance law (Sharia). It was concluded that Nawab Zaheer Yar Jung had no legal standing or valid claim over these properties, leading to the dismissal of his case.

During the proceedings, Nawab Zaheer Yar Jung had argued his claims over certain aspects of the estate, but the court found these claims unsubstantiated and without merit. In contrast, the heirs of Imam ul-Mulk successfully demonstrated their legitimate right to inherit the properties as direct descendants. This decision effectively secures their ownership of the disputed properties and resolves a long-standing legal conflict.

The verdict not only vindicates the heirs of Imam ul-Mulk but also sets a legal precedent regarding inheritance disputes in families of historical and social significance. The heirs are reported to have welcomed the decision, viewing it as justice being served after 170 years of litigation.

What the Heirs of Imam ul-Mulk Gained:

1. Victory in the Case : The court ruled decisively in favor of the heirs, affirming their legal claim over the contested properties.

2. Defeat of fringe opponents within the Royal House of Paigah represented by its last Amir Nawab Zaheer Yar Jung’s Claims : The ruling dismissed Nawab Zaheer Yar Jung’s case, nullifying his arguments and ensuring the heirs’ rights were upheld.

3. Ownership of Properties and Titles : The judgment grants the heirs complete and undisputed ownership of the contested properties and titles, recognized by the Royal Commission.

4. Adherence to Islamic Law : The court reaffirmed that the inheritance should be divided according to Islamic principles, ensuring a just and equitable distribution among all rightful heirs.

5. Resolution of Legal Disputes : The ruling brought an end to a protracted legal battle, providing clarity and closure for the heirs.

This verdict was described as a major legal and moral victory for the heirs of Imam ul-Mulk and as a rejection of unwarranted claims by Nawab Zaheer Yar Jung. It solidifies the position of Imam ul-Mulk’s descendants in managing their inherited estate and protects their legacy.

Rahbar-E-Deccan Role in Asaf Jah VII’s Caliphal Title Deed Transfer Claim

The Rahbar-E-Deccan published the world’s most comprehensive newspaper coverage in Hyderabad of the most important royal wedding in recent Muslim history, between His Exalted Highness Asaf Jah VII’s Wali Ahad, the Crown Prince of Hyderabad State – General His Highness Azam Jah, Damat Walashan Sahebzada Nawab Sir Mir Himayat Ali Khan Siddiqi Bahadur Bayaffendi and the daughter of His Imperial Majesty Caliph Abdulmejid II Her Imperial Highness Princess Durru Shehvar in Nice, France.

A 68 page special edition was published  by Imam ul-Mulk IV’s maternal grandfather Al Sharif Yusufuddin, Managing Editor, The Rahbar-E-Deccan and his brother Al Sharif Ahmed Mohiuddin, Editor In Chief, The Rahbar-E-Deccan, who were tasked by His Exalted Highness Asaf Jah VII Mir Osman Ali Khan to utilize their newspaper to enable socially the transfer of the grand title of Caliph to the Asaf Jahi monarch for his successor.

Subsequently, a special edition was published and The Rahbar-E-Deccan was present at the royal wedding. The two brothers were trusted to meticulously document the wedding and the stay of the two sons of the Nizam in Paris, and report back to the people of Hyderabad.

After the death of Imam ul-Mulk II Al Sharif Lateefuddin in 1984, his brother His Excellency Al Sharif Vicaruddin was anointed Imam ul-Mulk III. In 2021, his successor Imam ul-Mulk IV Al Sharif Ahmed Ibn Abbas Al Askari was annointed as Imam ul-Mulk IV by the elders of the Royal House of Imam ud-Daula in a private ceremony, and he was passed ownership to the title of the world’s oldest Urdu daily newspaper in circulation The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily (formerly Rahbar-E-Deccan), established in 1921.

According to Supreme Court of India documents, the new generation of the family also became heirs to the vast – litigated – estate of late Al Sharif Yusufuddin, including government registered sale deeds to immovable properties in Hyderabad’s Banjara Hills valued at Rs.15,000 Crore ($1.84 Billion USD).

Sword of His Majesty Caliph Abdulmejid II housed at the HEH Nizam’s Museum in Hyderabad. The sword is listed as belonging to His Majesty Khalifah of Turkey.

Certificate of Authentication to Caliphal Deed of Transfer by Ahmed Ali Khan, Curator of Arabic Manuscripts, Salar Jung Museum, India’s Foremost Expert on Islamic Manuscripts

Ahmed Ali Khan, born on June 20, 1957, in Hyderabad, is recognized as one of the most eminent experts on Islamic manuscripts in India. His father served the Salar Jung Museum with distinction from 1951 to 1974 as its first draftsman. He established the Display and Photography sections, and his son, Ahmed Ali, followed in his footsteps, beginning his temporary appointment in the Photography Section in 1975 after his father’s passing.

Educated at Osmania University with a Master of Arts degree and training in Museology, Ahmed Ali Khan furthered his expertise with courses in conservation and miniature painting at Charles Wallace, Odisha Art Conservation Centre, and Banaras Hindu University. His knowledge and dedication have significantly benefited not only the Salar Jung Museum but also other museums and institutions across the country. Over his 42-year tenure, he has become a cornerstone of the museum, eventually retiring as Curator of Manuscripts, a position he earned through relentless effort and devotion.

He authored 27 books in English and Urdu on history, fine arts, antiquities, and manuscript conservation. He compiled 21 catalogs of the museum’s manuscripts and antiquities, presented 80 research papers at international and national seminars, and was invited as an expert to 74 workshops. His scholarly contributions have been published in 80 national and international journals.

His expertise in Museology led to his involvement with advisory boards of several institutions, including the Indian Medical Herbarium Museum, Sangareddy Jail Museum, and the Centre for Urdu Language, Literature, and Culture. Ahmed Ali was also invited by governments of countries like Turkey, Iraq, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, and Bhutan to share his knowledge.

The Ministry of Health, Government of India, appointed him as an Expert in Museum Planning for the AYUSH department, where he was the sole committee member who presented a comprehensive report to the government. His outstanding services have been recognized by the Governor of the state, Narayan Dutt Tiwari, and the last Chief Minister of the united Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Ahmed Ali’s contributions extend beyond the Salar Jung Museum. He has been instrumental in establishing, renovating, and preserving 15 museums across India. These include the Dr. Hankin Police Museum and Discovery Centre, Andhra Pradesh Police Academy, Hyderabad; Mini Jail Museum, Chanchalguda; Sangareddy Jail Museum, Medak; Centre for Urdu Language, Literature, and Culture, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad; and the Craft Museum at Shilparamam, Tirupati.

Ahmed Ali’s services have also been sought for projects like the Hall of Fame (Military Museum) in Leh, Ladakh, the Vision of Osmania at Osmania University, Hyderabad, the renovation of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams museums, and the B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Museum in Pune. He planned the Indian Medical Herbarium Museum, the Ramakrishna Math Museum and Library in Visakhapatnam, and the Mohammad Ali Khan Art Gallery in Tonk, Rajasthan, among others.

His contributions to the Salar Jung Museum are extensive. He modernized the museum building, redesigned the Jade Gallery, and renovated the 435-year-old Ashurkhana at the Salar Jung Cemetery. He organized 122 exhibitions on various religions, themes, and subjects across India and internationally. He also led 22 international and national seminars and carried out the complete photography of all the museum’s manuscripts and artifacts, creating archives of 48,000 images.

In addition to his curatorial work, Ahmed Ali has made significant contributions to the welfare of museum staff. He secured land for staff colonies, established literacy classes for uneducated employees, and provided computer training for the educated staff. He distributed educational kits to the children of employees and organized annual awards for students. He facilitated loans for the financial stability of employees’ families and established a cooperative canteen that offered educational loans, marriage gifts, and retirement benefits.

Ahmed Ali introduced modern storage systems in the Manuscripts and Publications Departments of the museum, digitizing 15,000 manuscripts and publications in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu. He renovated these departments according to international library standards and preserved 95 rare publications using modern scientific method.