Hyderabad’s IX Nizam makes a historic first ceremonial appearance, echoing the traditions of his esteemed forebears and receiving a warm welcome from the city
(RAHNUMA) HYDERABAD: In a momentous event that bridges the past and the present, IX Nizam of Hyderabad, Prince Azmet Jah, attended the Bibi-Ka-Alam procession at Peeli Gate, Purani Haveli, this year. His presence marked his first significant interaction with the people of Hyderabad in a ceremonial capacity, an act that has been warmly welcomed by the populace. Prince Azmet Jah’s participation in this revered event echoes the deep-seated traditions upheld by his forebears, His Exalted Highness Asaf Jah VII Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last ruling Nizam of Hyderabad, and Asaf Jah VIII Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur, the last official titular Nizam of Hyderabad.
The Bibi-Ka-Alam procession, an integral part of Hyderabad’s rich cultural tapestry, commemorates the profound legacy of Lady Fatima Al Zahra. This tradition, which has been sustained for nearly four centuries, has seen the unwavering devotion of both the Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi rulers. The procession traces its origins to the Qutb Shahi period when Muhammad Qutb Shah installed an Alam in memory of Lady Fatima at Golconda. The Asaf Jahi era saw the Alam’s relocation to Bibi-Ka-Alawa at Dabeerpura, a site specially constructed to honor this sacred relic.
At the heart of the Alam is a piece of the wooden plank believed to have been used for Lady Fatima’s final ablution before burial, a relic that historians assert journeyed from Karbala in Iraq to Golconda during the reign of Golconda king Abdullah Qutb Shah. The holy relic is enshrined within a calligraphic Alam adorned with the names of Allah, Mohammed, and Ali, and was further embellished with a metal alloy and gold.
In the 1950s, Asaf Jah VII H.E.H. Mir Osman Ali Khan, renowned as the world’s wealthiest monarch, contributed six priceless diamonds and other jewels to the Alam. This act of faith and reverence was a testament to his veneration of the Alam e-Mubarak, symbolizing the profound spiritual significance it holds.
Prince Azmet Jah’s participation in the Bibi-Ka-Alam procession is more than a ceremonial duty; it is a continuation of a cherished legacy. By following in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessors, he reinforces the bond between the Nizamate and the people of Hyderabad. His presence not only honors the sanctity of the occasion but also rejuvenates the historical connection between the Nizam family and the cultural heritage of Hyderabad. The city’s warm reception of Prince Azmet Jah at this significant event signifies a hopeful and unified future, rooted in a shared respect for tradition and history.
