Hyderabad Nizam’s descendant visits Bhopal to rekindle historical city link

BHOPAL: The great granddaughter of the last Nizam of Hyderabad, born almost five decades after India’s independence, is on a tour to connect with the past and present. The first stop for Hyderabad-based Sahebzadi Feroze Jahan Begum, the great granddaughter of Mir Osman Ali Khan is Bhopal.
She got a warm reception from the Bhopal royals at her arrival on Tuesday morning.During her visit the descendant of Asaf Jahan dynasty said donations of 5,000 kg of gold were made by the Nizam to the National Defence Fund during the Indo-China war of 1962.
There is historic evidence of origins and associations between the Nizam — a 21-gun salute state and Begums of Bhopal — a 19-gun salute state.
Eclecticism and stylistics define Feroze’s palate. She slays classic royal attire and as GenZ say ‘harness the power of social media to reach out’. “I want to revive royal styles of clothing,” she said, referring to Khada Dupatta that is an upright stole — a part of traditional wedding attire worn by Hyderabadi brides. This heavy embroidered cloth is only six yards long, similar to what ace tennis player Sania Mirza wore at her wedding.
Feroze believes there are no great patrons of royalty in the Central and south-east of the country. “North Indian royal families are far more connected and organised.
The insignia of Bhopal state, disbanded by Bhopal Municipal Corporation three years ago, was a mark of allegiance to the Nizam Hyderabad. It was Bhopal insignia from about 1740 onwards. Between 1819 and 1926 four Muslim women rulers reigned over Bhopal, the second largest Muslim state of India, despite staunch opposition, as some historians put it.
Her journey is about ‘how to connect with your heritage’. “Growing up I have heard stories about the past. I want to experience the locations and places firsthand,” she said, adding that artefacts, customs or traditions are one thing, maintaining meaningful ties is another story.