Royal House of Imam ud-Daula

Welcome! 
You have come to the crown of the caliphate, a great blessing.
You have arrived at the pinnacle of fortune and prosperity, welcome!
Victory and success have accompanied you, welcome!
As the standard-bearer of prophethood, you have arrived, welcome!
The gates of the caliphate have opened again, welcome!
You have come as the solution to governance, welcome!
O light of brotherhood, you have come, welcome!
With grandeur and splendor, you have awakened the dormant world,
You have illuminated the kingdom and nation, welcome!
For the garden of aspirations, you have come as a flourishing flower, welcome!
With your arrival in Deccan, the spirit of illumination has returned,
A legacy has revived, pouring blessings upon it,
A grand sip from the timeless chalice of Usman Khan.*
The poor are now comforted,
The destitute and helpless find refuge,
Even strangers are guided to a noble path.
In this realm, a voice has risen—
The pride of Hindustan, The glory of Islam
Indeed, you are the manifestation of a divine blessing in Deccan,
*The fulfillment of the caliphal aspirations linked to Ottoman Usman Khan I.

— Rahbar-E-Deccan 1931. Wali Ahad Number.
Crown Prince Special Edition.
Al Sharif Ahmed Mohiuddin, Al Sharif Yusufuddin.
68 pages. Pg. 40. Rahbar-E-Deccan Press,
Afzal Ganj, Hyderabad

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.