Nizam Ali Khan, Asaf Jah II
Mirza Nizam Ali Khan Siddiqi, Asaf Jah II was the 5th Nizam of Hyderabad State in South India between 1762 and 1803. He was born on 7 March 1734 as fourth son to Asaf Jah I and Umda Begum. His official name is Asaf Jah II, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Nizam 'Ali Khan Siddiqi, Fateh Jang, Sipah Salar, Nawab Subedar of the Deccan. Sawānih-i-Deccan, a Persian work compiled by Munim Khan, a military commander during the era of Asaf Jah II gave more insight about administration of Asaf Jahis.
Nizam Ali Khan, Asaf Jah II
Portrait of Nizam ul-Mulk (Asaf Jah II, Nizam Ali Khan) sitting in an open pavilion on a carpet (British Library)
Nizam of Hyderabad was the title of the ruler of Hyderabad State. Nizam is a shortened form of Niẓām ul-Mulk, which means Administrator of the Realm, and was the title bestowed upon Asaf Jah I when he was appointed Viceroy of the Deccan by the Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar. In addition to being the Mughal Viceroy (Naib) of the Deccan, Asaf Jah I was also the premier courtier of the Mughal Empire until 1724, when he established the independent monarchy of Hyderabad and adopted the title "Nizam of Hyderabad".
Coat of Arms of the Nizam of Hyderabad
Image: Azmet Jah
Mir Osman Ali Khan
Hyderabad State in 1909