The Chaumhall Palace, the historical witness of the last two centuries of India, is the residence of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty (Asaf Dzhah or Nizam Hyderabad), Nizam, in turn, is the king of the state of Hyderabad. This Indian kingdom is the longest and most prosperous.
Its land area of approximately 215 square kilometers with a population of more than 16 million people, which is used for most of the population is Hinduism. The seventh Nizam ruled Hyderabad for two centuries, until 1948. The princesses traditionally married the heirs of the Paig clan (from the Sunni sect), whose representatives were also traditionally Nizam's bodyguards.
The ruler of Asaf Jahi is known as the patron of art, science, and education. Much money is invested in the development of communications, irrigation and construction. The last Nizam of the kingdom, Osman Ali Khan, is the richest man in the world. His personal fortune in early 40-ies is estimated at two billion US dollars. Trains, electricity, all capital buildings, including the foundations of the University of Osmania, are a reward.
Today, Hyderabad not only has its own troops, but also flights, trains, telecommunications systems, postal systems and local broadcasting services.
From the new history of Royal Kingdom of Hyderabad
Nizam and his closest colleagues are Muslim and have 40% of the world. The Hyderabad rulers decided to defend independence, although most other kingdoms voluntarily joined India or Pakistan. Then he declared the kingdom a free, independent state, but India's new leadership was not interested in having an independent state in the center of the country, mainly because the kingdom was surrounded by Indian soil and had no access to the sea. After an active effort, he could not convince Nizam to join India. It was then decided to evict the ruling elite and, if necessary, force the Hyderabad to join the new Indian Union.
In September 1948 the Indian army entered the territory of the kingdom. It was a full-scale military operation of young free India against the kingdom of Hyderabad, which caused mass violence and many casualties. The power was out of balance, and Nizam gave up after five days, announcing his transfer of power and the accession of Hyderabad to the new Indian Republic.
After the fall of 1948, the new Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, appointed a commission to investigate the course of military operations, known in history as the Sandalel Committee. According to a report published only in 2013, the total number of deaths during Hyderabad's annexation was from 30,000 to 40,000 victims. According to other observers, these figures are greatly underestimated: the actual number of deaths exceeds 200 thousand people.
Chaumhall Palace
This palace is a symbol of the power and wealth of the former Asaf Jahi dynasty. Its construction began in 1750 and was completed in the mid-nineteenth century. The palace is unique in its style, since it was built almost a century. For this time there is a synthesis of unique and elegant architectural styles, as well as various influences.
The palace consists of two courtyards and a large hill, many fountains and gardens. Currently, the area of the palace complex is almost five times smaller than in the past, and only 49 thousand square meters. Page south is the oldest part of the palace, ensemble in the neo-classical style consists of four buildings: Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahiyat Mahal and Aftab Mahal.
In the north courtyard is Imam's Bara. The domes and arches send us into the era of the Great Mogul, but at the same time there are many Persian elements and decorative plastering work. Across from the Priest Bar - another building in a mirror location: after the palace room is used to accommodate officials and all kinds of officials.
Hall Hilvat Mubarak - the heart of the Chaumhall Palace. In the center of Durbar Hall there is a marble slab located in the royal place. This is where Nizam holds serious receptions and other symbolic ceremonies. All of Hilvat's splendor is played with lights in 19 Belgian crystal chandeliers.
In the Chaumhall Palace there is a rare collection of manuscripts and invaluable books. Today this room is used for temporary exhibitions from the treasury of the Palace collection from previous eras. In the palace room there is also a collection of old cars (in particular, Rolls Royce), used by Nizam kings.
Attending Nizam Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jha and his family decided to restore the palace and open it to the public. About five years is needed to describe and restore palaces in the South courtyard.
In January 2005 the palace was opened for visitors. The prestigious UNESCO award for the preservation of world cultural heritage was presented to Chaumhall's palace on March 15, 2010.