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His Exalted Highness Asaf Jah VII Mir Osman Ali Khan, VII Nizam of Hyderabad’s coronation throne. Chowmahalla Palace, Hyderabad.
s India’s oldest Urdu daily, since its establishment in 1921 within the former Princely Nizam State of Hyderabad, Deccan, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily has proudly held the distinction of being Hyderabad’s longest enduring journalistic institution. For over a century, it has served as a guiding light for the people of Hyderabad.
Our mission goes beyond the mere dissemination of news; it is a commitment to fostering deep cultural connections between the Telugu and Hindi speaking majority and the Urdu-English speaking households within the vibrant Deccani community of Hyderabad.
Through our bilingual journalism, we aim to nurture a profound bond with our readership via inspiration for personal growth, change and self-improvement exemplified by the Nizam of Hyderabad’s embracing of democracy.
At the heart of our endeavor are unwavering journalistic values that include integrity, accuracy, and inclusivity.
After the State of Hyderabad merged with the Indian Union in 1948, His Exalted Highness Asaf Jah VII Mir Osman Ali Khan remained recognized as Nizam of Hyderabad and the final supreme authority by the Government of India until 1950.
While interregnum, the Nizam appointed Hyderabad’s first civilian Chief Minister.
On November 24th, 1949, His Exalted Highness the Nizam declared in a Firman, “Whereas in the best interest of Hyderabad, it is closely linked with the rest of India. In economics, political, and other fields, it is desirable that constitutional relationship should be established between the state and the Union of India. I declare and direct that the Constitution of India shall be the Constitution for the State of Hyderabad.”
In 1950, His Exalted Highness Mir Osman Ali Khan signed the Instrument of Accession, and the very next day, India officially became a Republic on 26th January.
On that same day, His Exalted Highness Hyderabad’s Nizam was sworn in as Raj Pramukh of Hyderabad State and he officially took the Oath of Loyalty to the Constitution of India from the Chief Justice of Hyderabad.
The acceptance of the Indian Constitution by His Exalted Highness the Nizam was tantamount to accession.
Hence, the Constitution of India prepared under the leadership of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar became the guarantor of Hyderabad’s loyalty to the Indian Union and the basis of its accession and held scope for Hyderabad’s rich culture to remain undisturbed.
The Asaf Jahi period oversaw the accession of Hyderabad to the Indian Union and hence is credited with unifying constitutionalism, republicanism, and democracy with Hyderabad for the first time in its 400 year history.
This unification ensured Hyderabad’s system of administration evolved to a superior one while our cultures would remain intact and prosperous under the democratic Indian Union.
Subsequently, the first Legislative Assembly of Hyderabad was opened by the Raj Pramukh Mir Osman Ali Khan on March 23rd, 1951.
When the first election took place in Hyderabad at the time when transfer of power was taking place, both the Government of India and His Exalted Highness relied heavily on The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily to communicate the delicate proceedings to the people of Hyderabad which we fulfilled fairly.
Hence, our core mission is to inspire personal growth and self-improvement – as did Hyderabad by embracing democracy – through a range of meaningful initiatives, thus enriching the lives of our readers and the community we serve.
Since celebrating our centenary celebration with ‘The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily X MANUU Conclave 2022’ with the biggest names in Indian media, we seek to continue to inspire readers with ideas while upholding Hyderabad’s unique heritage and culture.
Cultural Synthesis
In recognition of Hyderabad’s unique ability to fuse key elements Vedic, Persian, Arabic and European civilizations into its own unique expression of culture, His Majesty Caliph Abdulmejid II, Turkey’s last Caliph and father of Princess Durru Shevar Sultan transferred the over 1400 year old cultural title ‘Caliph’ for his legal heir – Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur – to Jah’s paternal grandfather, Hyderabad’s last ruling Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, who was to be interim Caliph until the Caliph’s grandson Jah was ready to succeed him.
The Caliph further announced his desire to be buried in Hyderabad and the Nizam and Princess Durre Shevar Sultan had a marvelous tomb constructed for him in 1940 at Khuldabad, near the Elora Caves. However, the Caliph’s mortal remains never made it to Hyderabad.
It is noteworthy to mention, Hyderabad is located in one of the planet’s oldest plateaus in the South of India, known in the Vedas as Dakshinapatha, or simply Deccan.
His Majesty Caliph Abdulmejid II Tomb In Khuldabad, Aurangabad. The Caliph’s mortal remains never made it to Hyderabad. Abandoned by Prince Mukarram Jah and his heirs, the significant heritage site is presently in a very dilapidated condition and the need for its restoration has been raised by Imam ul-Mulk IV Syed Ahmed Khan, Head, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Family.
After 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 – to His Exalted Highness Mir Osman Ali Khan VII Nizam of Hyderabad finally arrived in Hyderabad and remained here since.
After the Nizam’s death in 1967, his grandson Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur became VIII Nizam of Hyerabad, but for reasons unknown, the deed was deposited by the Nizam’s private military with The Rahnuma-E-Deccan family where it remained since.
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 Rahnuma-E-Deccan family 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 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.
As a result of late Prince Mukarram Jah’s abjuration of the title of ‘Caliph’ of his maternal grandfather despite proclaiming himself VIII Nizam after his paternal grandfather, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan family continues to hold in trust since 1967 the deed to the unbroken chain of the over 1400 years old cultural title of ‘Caliph’ – transferred from the Imperial House of Osman to our late liege, His Exalted Highness Asaf Jah VII Mir Osman Ali Khan, The Nizam of Hyderabad who in turn instructed his military to keep it deposited with our family indefinitely.
‘The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily X MANUU Conclave 2022’ with the biggest names in Indian media celebrating 101 years of publication with Syed Vicaruddin’s successor as Head of The Rahnuma-E-Deccan family – Imam ul-Mulk IV Syed Ahmed Khan. Indian national news media dignitaries in attendance included aside from academics, army officers and others; NDTV’s Sreenivasan Jain who was voted India’s most trusted journalist 2022, India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesi, BBC India’s Bureau Chief Satish Jacob, Bureau Chief DW News, Dr. Arfa Khanum Sherwani, NDTV’s Pankaj Pachauri nominated for Best News Anchor, BBC Hindi’s Madhuker Upadhyay, Huffington Post’s Sanjay Kapoor, columnist and author Anand Vijay, and TV9 Bharatvarsh & (former) Republic TV’s Sumaira Khan who hosted the conclave.
‘The Reception of the Mysorean Hostage Princes by Marquis Cornwallis’, 26 February 1792; Oil on canvas by Robert Home – National Army Museum, London. Robert Home, who accompanied Cornwallis’s army in Mysore, depicted the handover of Tipu Sultan’s sons as hostages in a beautiful painting titled ‘The Reception of the Mysorean Hostage Princes by Marquis Cornwallis’. He also included a self-portrait, wearing a green jacket, with a portfolio under his arm, on the left of the painting. ‘The surrender of the hostage princes to Marquis Cornwallis in 1792’ is also depicted by Mather Brown, Arthur William Devis, as well as many others [while they were in England]. In M. Brown’s version, the officers shown on the left of the Governor-General are Sir John Kennaway, Major Dirom, Col. Malcolm, Major Madan, A.D.C., and Col. Ross. On Lord Cornwallis’s right is the head Vakeel Ghulam Ali Khan, seated, while his colleague bends over the boys.
he Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily newspaper family are known as notables by belonging to the Ashraf class, the highest hereditary title of nobility to the highest social/political class in the Muslim World; also known in pre-modern society as Sayyids, or Sharifs of the House of Hashem – belonging to the Quraysh tribe, which descended from Canaan and subsequently Ishmael, eldest son of Abraham.
Paternally, through the late Syed Yusufuddin, we descend from Zayd b. ‘Ali b. Hussein (d.740), great great great grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. The maternal grandfather of Zayd b. Ali from his mother Princess Jodah of Sindh was Maharaja Dahir (d.712) of the Brahman Empire of Sindh. The Brahman Empire of Sindh was founded by Maharaja Chach of Alor (d.711), and covered the entire Indus Valley and beyond.
From our maternal side, we share Abdullah al-Kamil b. Hasan al-Muthanna, his son Musa al-Jaun, his son Abdullah al-Salih, and his son Musa al-Thani, as common ancestors with the Kings of Morocco, the Hashemites (monarchy), Grand Sharifs and Emirs of Mecca, Kings of Hejaz, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq, the Idrisids of Fez, Hamudites of Spain, Leaders of the Senussi Order, and the King’s of Libya (Idris I).
In addition to this lineage, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily family has a history of over 262 years of documented service and duty to the people of Hindustan.
When it comes to foreign policy and international politics in Hindustan, our history can be traced back to at least 1758, the year our ancestral relative Mir Ghulam Ali of Mysore was born in India.
Mir Ghulam Ali is recorded in history as the Vakeel (Ambassador) and Chief Naval Commander, Amir ul-Bahar of the King of Mysore Mir Fateh Ali Bahadur Tipu Sultan, and part of his elite top secret Phantom admiralty.
Ali is famed for being the ‘power behind Tipu’, in addition to being Tipu’s Ambassador to France sent to Louis XVI in 1786 to enter a military alliance against the British East India Company.
Mir Ghulam Ali was also dispatched to Tipu’s Ottoman counterpart, Sultan Abdul Hamid I in Constantinople after his meeting with Louis XVI, and even recruited Napoleon Bonaparte for Tipu Sultan’s service.
However, Mir Ghulam Ali’s most notable work was his role as Custodian of Tipu Sultan’s sons, 10 year old Abdul Khaliq and 8 year old Maizzuddin, when they were to be held hostage by the British who mercilessly asked to handover both of them to Lord Cornwallis as a part of a peace treaty in 1792.
The Rahnuma Daily (TheRahnuma.com) is the online English daily edition of The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily (Urdu print) whose Publisher and Editor In Chief is Sarwarunissa Zubeda Begum, and before her, was late Syed Vicaruddin and before him, was his elder brother the late Syed Lateefuddin. It is also is The Rahnuma-E-Deccan’s official e-paper portal.
The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily was originally founded as The Rahbar-E-Deccan by Syed Vicaruddin and Syed Lateefuddin’s father Syed Yusufuddin and his brother Syed Ahmed Mohiuddin, who were direct descendants of the family of Mir Ghulam Ali of Mysore.
Late Mr. Syed Yusufuddin, co-Founder of The Rahbar-E-Deccan Daily (later became The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily), father of Syed Lateefuddin and Syed Vicaruddin, grandfather of Syed Ahmed Khan.
In 2016, TheRahnuma.com was launched to cater to the paper’s online English readership.
Founders of Hyderabad oldest daily newspaper The Rahbar-e-Deccan (The Rahnuma-e-Deccan daily), brothers -Nawab Syed Ahmed Muhiddin and Nawab Syed Yusufuddin, father of Syed Lateefuddin and Syed Vicaruddin, grandfather of Syed Ahmed Khan seated with Rahbar staff.
More than 81.1 million Indians identify Urdu as their language, and as per the annual INA (Indian Newspapers Association) report, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan ranks among the top 5 most widely circulated and read Urdu daily print newspapers throughout India.
Established in 1921 in the former Princely Nizam State of Hyderabad, Deccan, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily is India’s oldest Urdu print daily newspaper, and Hyderabad’s oldest newspaper.
Hon’ble Former Prime Minister of India Late Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee visit to Hyderabad and the The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily residence on the invite of the late Syed Lateefuddin, Former Head, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily Family, Former Managing Editor, Publisher The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily.
Our family has hosted national leaders including several Indian Prime Ministers and Presidents alike at our residence, more so than any other civilian in Hyderabad’s post independence history.
Our family is the first Indian family in history to have interviewed over 16 Arab Head of States through its newspaper platform, including three Saudi monarchs, the current monarch while he was the Crown Prince, two Moroccan monarchs, Libya’s Colonel Gaddafi, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Palestinian President Yassar Arafat and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
His Excellency Syed Vicaruddin, Former Head, The Rahunuma-E-Deccan Family, Former Editor In Chief, Publisher, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily (Urdu) was granted the distinguished rank of Officer of the Royal Order of Alaouite by Sahib al-Jalalah, ’Amir al-Mu’minin, Nassarahu-Illah; His Majesty Commander of the Faithful, may God grant him victory, the King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
In recognition of our collective work, the former Head of our family late Syed Vicaruddin was granted the distinguished rank of Officer of the Royal Order of Alaouite by His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, is the first Indian civilian to be a recipient of the prestigious Arab League of States Award on behalf of 22 Arab countries, and is the first Indian in history to be decorated with the Order of the Star of Jerusalem (Wissam Najm al-Quds) by H.E. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The Order of the Star of Jerusalem is Palestine’s highest honor.
His Excellency Syed Vicaruddin, Former Head, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily Family, Former Editor In Chief, Publisher, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily (Urdu) was granted the distinguished rank of Officer of the Royal Order of Alaouite by His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
However, our family’s most notable service to Hindustan, and Indians of all backgrounds came forth from the meeting of the Head of our family Syed Vicaruddin had in Saudi Arabia with His Majesty King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Taking advantage of our access to the king’s ear, Syed Vicaruddin managed to convince His Majesty King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia to open the door for employment opportunities for Indians in Saudi Arabia.
This led to the subsequent opening of the entire Middle East to Indian employees, and was achieved with cooperation of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs during the period of Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Today, India is the top remittance beneficiary from Saudi Arabia with over over $10.2 billion USD as of 2016, and thanks to the effective role Syed Vicaruddin was able to play, GCC countries in the Middle East are home to 72% of the global Indian Diaspora. NRI’s send $70 billion USD (Rs. 4.2 lakh Crores) every year to India, out of which 70.5% (nearly $50 billion USD) comes back to India from GCC based NRI’s.
Late Palestinian President His Exellency President Yasser Arafat visits The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Residence in Hyderabad. Seen here with the late Syed Vicaruddin, Former Head, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily family, Former Editor In-Chief, Publisher, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily.
Former Rahnuma-E-Deccan family Head His Excellency Syed Vicaruddin invited to Ramallah, Palestine by His Excellency Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
His Excellency Syed Vicaruddin, Former Head, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily family, Former Editor In Chief, Publisher, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily (Urdu) decorated with the Order of the Star of Jerusalem (Wissam Najm al-Quds) by H.E. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The Order of the Star of Jerusalem is Palestine’s highest honour. President Abbas send the Chief Justice of Shariah, State of Palestine His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Habbash to Hyderabad for the decoration. See here with His Excellency Syed Vicaruddin and His Excellency Dr. Habbash is Imam ul-Mulk IV Syed Ahmed Khan, Incumbent Head, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily family.
H.E. Syed Vicaruddin, Editor In Chief, Publisher, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily (Urdu) decorated with the Order of the Star of Jerusalem (Wissam Najm al-Quds) by H.E. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The Order of the Star of Jerusalem is Palestine’s highest honour. President Abbas send the Chief Justice of Shariah, State of Palestine His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Habbash to Hyderabad for the decoration.
Our family is also the first Indian family in history to receive through our Head, the Wissam Najm Al Quds or Order of the Star of Jerusalem from H.E. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The Arab League of States felicitated Former Head, The Rahunuma-E-Deccan Daily family, His Excellency Syed Vicaruddin in recognition of 50 years of services for the cause of promoting better relations between the Republic of India and its allies in the Arab World. Minister of State for External Affairs Mr. M.J. Akbar was present when the Award was presented to Mr. Syed Vicaruddin by H.E. Dr. Saud Mohammed Al-Sati, Saudi Ambassador to India, Her Excellency Alyaa Ghannam, Arab League of States, New Delhi, and H.E. Hassan Mahmoud Mohammad Al Jawarneh, Jordanian Ambassador to India in the presence of Ambassadors of 22 Arab countries at Embassy of Oman in New Delhi. (RAHNUMA)
In April 2018, the Arab League, the largest organization of Arab countries, recognized the distinguished services of our family Head and honored Syed Vicaruddin for ‘unparalleled services towards bringing India and the Arab world closer’, and conferred upon him the prestigious Arab League Award.
The award was presented to Syed Vicaruddin on the 73rd Inception Day (of Arab League) by Union Minister of State Mr. M.J. Akbar at the Embassy of Oman, New Delhi in the presence of Ambassadors of 22 Arab countries, for which he and his family are grateful.
Our online English news portal, TheRahnuma.com has organically grown since its launch in 2016, and is increasingly becoming the go to site for opinions on news and international affairs for Indians in India, and NRI Indians abroad, for which we are thankful and express our deepest gratitude.
Another Century Worth Celebrating!
Imam ul-Mulk IV, Incumbent Head, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily Family, Syed Ahmed Khan. Imam ul-Mulk IV is the son of the sister of late Syed Vicaruddin and Syed Lateefuddin, and grandson of Syed Yusufuddin, Co-Founder, The Rahbar-E-Deccan Daily. December 2022. Credit: RAHNUMA. HYDERABAD.
“As we approach our 100th birthday, we are undergoing extensive changes to meet the needs of our readers, to ensure our paper can continue to serve the people of Hyderabad and our country for another 100 years, inshallah. As part of our strategy for growth, The Rahnuma Daily was launched by our family as our English language platform and official e-paper portal to share News and Opinions with our NRI partners in India, the Middle East and around the world.”
– Imam ul-Mulk IV Syed Ahmed Khan, Head, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Family
His Exalted Highness Azmat Jah Bahadur Anointed IX Nizam of Hyderabad
Exclusive – H.E.H. Nizam IX Invites Rahnuma Family Head to Royal Residence
Imam ul-Mulk IV Syed Ahmed Khan, Head, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Family at the Ministry of Defense in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki.
Special Envoy of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mahdi Mahdavipour visits The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily Residence and Imam ul-Mulk IV Syed Ahmed Khan, Head, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Daily Family.
Imam ul-Mulk IV Syed Ahmed Khan, House of Imam ud-Daula, Incumbent Head, The Rahnuma-E-Deccan Family with Chief of Shariah, State of Palestine His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Habbash. Imam ul-Mulk IV was invited by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas through the Embassy of State of Palestine, New Delhi on an official visit to Ramallah, Palestine.
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