August 29, 2025

The stunning Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad stretches half a kilometer with shining buildings, beautiful gardens, and sparkling pools. It was once the grand home of the Nizams, rulers from 1724 to 1948. Author Isabel Burton called it “at least a mile long, covered with delicate tracery,” where “many a mosque, like lacework, rose here and there.” Past a shimmering pool lies the gilded Afzal Mahal palace, where Azmet Jah lives. On January 25, 2023, Azmet Jah was declared the ninth Nizam of Hyderabad after his father, Mukarram Jah Bahadur, passed away in Istanbul on January 10. The crowning was an intimate family event inside the Khilwat, the old seat of power until Hyderabad joined India in 1948. However, the title sparked debate as other relatives claimed the throne — but now it’s a title without a kingdom. Inside Afzal Mahal, Jah seems less royalty, more stylish businessman, with his platinum hair, boat shoes, and touchscreen watch. Known as Pasha, the 64-year-old splits his time between London, Turkey, and Hyderabad. In a lively chat, Azmet Jah opened up about his life and legacy: Q: What brings you here? A: “This is my home. I have friends and wonderful memories here. Few people know when I am in town. I can’t go out and say, ‘Hey, look at me, I’m back, I’m the Nizam.’ People know who I am now. This time, I was here for Muharram.” Q: How do you connect with your family’s legacy and Hyderabad? A: “It’s in the blood, whether I like it or not. When I stepped up to make the offering during the Muharram procession of alams [battle standards] on an elephant, I could sense the people’s affection.” Q: You have roots in both the Ottoman dynasty and the Nizams? A: “I’ve spent far more time in Turkey than in India. It’s hard to say where I truly belong — I am part Turkish, part Indian. When people ask where I’m from, I usually say I’m Turkish. I don’t look Indian. If I walked around Hyderabad with my cameras, people would assume I’m another tourist.” Q: Your career as a photographer and cinematographer? A: “I’m working on a documentary about my great-grandfather, Osman Ali Khan, who’s been ill-served by scurrilous talk. I was not happy with the research that was done earlier and I am looking for a young person to come onboard and put my vision on the screen.” Q: You almost got arrested in Turkey? A: “Yes, my father wanted to find Noah’s tomb near the Syrian border. We unknowingly went into a dangerous area known for terrorism and drug smuggling. A man with a gun stopped us and said, ‘You’re not allowed to film or photograph.’ They didn’t believe we came just to see the tomb.” Q: Was it really Noah’s tomb? A: “Yes, that’s what the inscription said.” Q: Your childhood in Hyderabad? A: “We spent Christmas vacations here. Our favourite was Chiran Palace, from where we rode elephants to Golconda Fort. Once, my sister told her school she had a pet elephant in the garden. The headmistress called my mother and said, ‘Tell your daughter to stop lying about the elephant.’ My mother said, ‘Yes, she does have an elephant in her garden.’” Q: Your thoughts on your family legacy? A: “My father made a few mistakes in Australia, with financial and legal troubles. But in 1996, when I married, my parents spoke after 20 years. They agreed to restore Chowmahalla and Falaknuma. This legacy is about restoration and also social work — expanding schools and education.” Q: Do you feel loss about places like KBR Park and Chiran Palace? A: “Yes. I grew up there with picnics and adventures. My father taught me to drive there. But it was sold to the government in 2006. It’s sad to lose the house, but the park is now for the people. Hyderabad is a concrete jungle, so the park is a blessing.” Azmet Jah’s story is a fascinating blend of royal heritage, modern life, and heartfelt love for Hyderabad’s magical past and hopeful future.

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Tags: Chowmahalla palace, Nizam of hyderabad, Azmet jah, Hyderabad history, Nizam legacy, Osman ali khan,