Creation of a Royal Personality. The Yadgar-e Silver Jubilee of Mir Osman Ali Khan, Nizam of Hyderabad, 1936

Abstract

Contrary to the traditional perception, the Indian princely states underwent tremendous change in the twentieth century. The end of their 'splendid isolation' since the end of the First World War, but also the bureaucratisation of the state administration and the rise of popular movements claiming to share the rulers' power brought about the transformation both of the political system as well as the political culture. The article traces this development as it is reflected in the Yadgar-e Silver Jubilee of Mir Osman Ali Khan, Nizam of Hyderabad in 1936. The volume draws on classical political legitimation, centred on the ontological status of the ruler, depicting him as the embodiment of reason, the spiritual guide of the world and the Khalif of Islam. But at the same time it transforms these traditional images to encompass the praise of his administrative achievements, thus opening the way for a bureaucratic legitimation of government.