Asaf Jahi Dynasty
Hyderabad Nizams The family of the Nizams of Hyderabad is one of the most illustrious that ever came to India. Khaja Abid, grandfather of the first Nizam, was born in Aliabad near Samarkhand in the kingdom of Bukhara. His father, Alam Shaik, was a well-known Sufi and celebrated man of letters. Alam Shaik originally belonged to Suhraward, a town in Kurdistan, and his descent can be traced to Shaik Shahabuddin Suhrawardy, who was a great spiritual teacher and author of eminent works of Islamic philosophy. Khaja Abid’s mother was of the family of Mir Hamdan, a distinguished Syed of Samarkhand. Khaja Abid, who had held the high office of Qazi (Judge) and Shaik-ul-Islam, first visited India during the reign of Shah Jehan (Mughal Emperor) in 1655 on his way to Mecca. He presented himself at the Imperial Court where he won favours and robe of honour. He was offered a position in the Emperor’s service, which he agreed to accept after his return from Mecca. In 1657 Khaja Abid returned from his pilgrimage and joined the service of Aurangzeb (Mughal Emperor). At that time Aurangzeb was in the Deccan preparing for the war of succession to the Mughal throne. Khaja Abid, besides being a learned man, was well versed in the art of war. Aurangzeb gave him an important post in the Imperial army. He was granted a high rank of 3000 Zat and 500 Sawars and the title of ‘Khan’. After succeeding in the war of succession, Aurangzeb made him the Governor of Ajmer and subsequently of Multan with the title of ‘Qalich Khan’. He served the Emperor with distinction particularly during the early years of Aurangzeb’s reign while he was consolidating and restoring peace in his newly acquired territory. On 30th January, 1687 during the siege of Golconda while leading the Imperial armies against the Qutb Shahi King, Qalich Khan died when he was struck fatally by a cannon ball.  Qalich Khan was survived by five sons, and his eldest son Shahabuddin Khan, entitled Ghaziuddin Khan Feroz Jung, earned the position of highest distiction in the Mughal Court. He married Safia Khanum, daughter of Saadullah Khan, the famous Prime Minister of Shah Jehan, and by her had a son named Qamaruddin, afterwards the celebrated Nizam-ul-Mulk, the founder of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty.  Asaf Jahi Rulers of Hyderabad
NOTE: * These three rulers are not enumerated in the serial order of the ASAF JAHs mainly because they were not granted the title of ASAF JAH by the Mughal Emperor.  Seven Asaf Jah Rulers
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