,
26 tweets,
6 min read
Read on Twitter
1. “The Origin of Secunderabad”
THREAD # 1 of 2 LONG THREADS
Read on, if you are a Hyderabadi.
Or if you are interested in history.
Or both!
THREAD # 1 of 2 LONG THREADS
Read on, if you are a Hyderabadi.
Or if you are interested in history.
Or both!
2. Today Secunderabad is subsumed in the vast 640 sq km sprawl called Greater Hyderabad. Its sobriquet of Hyderabad's “Twin City” gives just a hint of days when the two were indeed different cities separated by several kilometres.
3. But Secunderabad was not an organic growth of Hyderabad. Rather, it came into being as a result of a Treaty. The two cities have different origins and development trajectories. This Thread specifically attempts to trace the Origin of Secunderabad.
4. To understand why Secunderabad came into being as a twin of Hyderabad, it is instructive to look into Hyderabad's pre-history, dating to almost three centuries earlier.
5. At the end of the 15th century, the Bahmani kingdom, which had been battling the Vijaynagar Empire, started disintegrating. Five separate Deccan Sultanates resulted – Ahmednagar, Bidar, Berar, Bijapur and Golconda.
6. In 1518 AD, Sultan Quli, the Governor of Golconda under the Bahmani Court, took control of Golconda as an independent kingdom. The dynasty he founded came to be known as the Qutb Shahi dynasty. It would rule for the next 158 years.
7. Golconda was well connected to the eastern port city of Machlipatnam. This contributed to its growth and prosperity. At its peak its territory included most of today's Odisha, and down to Madras.
8. To alleviate the congestion caused by a growing population, the 4th Qutb Shahi king, Ibrahim Quli, thought of developing a new city on the south bank of Musi, a few miles east of Golconda, on the road to Machlipatnam.
9. However it was his successor Muhammad Quli, who actually started the work. The new city was named Shahr-e-Haidar (Haidar is one of the names of Imam Hazrat Ali, the preceptor of the Shia sect).
10. A bridge across Musi was constructed (today's Purana Pul) to ferry men and materials for the new city's construction. Almost the very first structure constructed was Charminar in 1591 AD.
11. Over the next 8 decades the city prospered and drew businessmen, migrants and visitors from all over India and the world. Inevitably, its prosperity brought conflict with the Mughals, who, by then had conquered most of the north.
12. Under Aurangzeb, the Mughal forces launched several forays against Golconda/Hyderabad, from their Deccan headquarters of Aurangabad. Finally, in 1676, Aurangzeb's forces defeated the forces of Abul Hasan Tanashah, the last Qutb Shahi king.
13. Thus ended the 160 year rule of the Qutb Shahis. Hyderabad became the Deccan “Suba” of the Mughal Empire. However its seat of power remained at Aurangabad.
14. In 1713, 6 years after Aurangzeb died, Emperor Farrukhsiyar appointed Mir Qamaruddin Khan Siddiqui, a trusted warrior and companion of Aurangzeb, as Governor of the Deccan. He was given the title “Nizam-ul-mulk” (Administrator of the Realm).
15. Siddiqui however was recalled to Delhi because of internecine feuds in the Court. He ended up staying in Delhi for 9 years, until, fed up by the debauchery and feuds, he decided to return to Aurangabad in 1724 AD.
16. But in his 9 years absence, Mubariz Khan had set himself up as Viceroy. Siddiqui had to fight and defeat him. He was then given the title “Asaf Jah” (Capable one) by Emperor Muhammad Shah Rangila. Siddiqui thus became “Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah”.
17. Asaf Jah's seat was at Aurangabad. Though he administered in the name of the Emperor he was practically independent because Mughal central power was weakening. The Asaf Jahi dynasty which he ended up founding, would rule Hyderabad for the next 225 years.
18. Qamaruddin Siddiqui's successor was Ali Khan. It is during his rule that developments took place that led to the emergence of Secunderabad. He took over in 1762 AD.
19. Ali Khan made the momentous decision of moving the capital of the Deccan Suba from Aurangabad to Hyderabad. Perhaps this was because he realised that there was no point looking northward towards Delhi any more.
20. Ali Khan ruled for 40 years as the Second Nizam. Hyderabad bloomed once again, since the seat of power shifted back to the city. It saw explosive growth towards the south and east.
21. Ali Khan's rule was contemporaneous with several events which shaped the geopolitics not only of India, but of the world. American war of independence took place in 1776 AD. The French Revolution took place at the end of the century.
22. During his Rule colonial expansion by European powers was also picking up speed in India. The Europeans had started filling up the vacuum caused by the disintegration of the Mughal Empire.
23. The French and the English, who had both set up East India Companies, had started turning from traders into colonisers. They were also vying with each other for supremacy in India.
24. In 1757, with the defeat of Sirajudaula, Nawab of Bengal, by Clive at Plassey, the British gained the upper hand against the French in North India. Sirajudaula had been supported by the French under Dupleix.
25. In the next 3 decades the British rapidly spread in the north of the country, and, inevitably, turned their attention southward. At this time French presence was still strong in the southern kingdoms, specially in Mysore, Hyderabad etc.
CONTD. IN THREAD #2
CONTD. IN THREAD #2
THREAD #2 CONTINUES HERE:
