Mir Farkhunda Ali Khan Nasir-ud-Daula
Asaf Jah IV - Nizam IV

1829 - 1857

Sikander Jah, Asaf Jah III, was succeeded by his eldest son Mir Farkhunda Ali Khan Nasir-ud-Daula on May 23, 1829, two days after his father’s death.

The succession was smooth. Asaf Jah IV’s twenty eight year reign was uneventful, though characterized by recurring lawlessness and chaos. Riots and skirmishes were very frequent as the state’s army was disbanded and a large number of soldiers released from formal service; irritated and disturbed due to their unemployed status, many took to fomenting mayhem.

Natural calamities did not spare Asaf Jah IV either; floods, epidemics, cyclones and droughts plagued the dominion at regular intervals.

Despite this grim picture, Nasir-ud-Daula’s reign had its positive moments. The city of Hyderabad grew with new schools, commercial centers, churches, bridges and the new centre of activity soon revolved around the newly-constructed Resident’s mansion, named the Residency.

A new cantonment was set up at Warangal; coupled with the Resident’s presence, a new sense of security and protection enveloped the city because of the able statesmanship of Mir Turab Ali Khan, Salar Jung I. Appointed as the diwan in 1853, he guided the affairs of the state, introducing administrative and financial reforms that pushed the city to a new era.