Ali Khan Asaf Jah II

Nawab Mir Nizam Ali Khan Siddiqi Bahadur Asaf Jah II (7 March 1734 – 6 August 1803) was the Nizam of Hyderabad State in South India between 1762 and 1803.

Birth

He was born on March 7, 1734 as fourth son to Asaf Jah I and Umda Begum.

Official name

His official name is Asaf Jah II, Nizam ul-Mulk, Nizam ud-Daula, Nawab Mir Nizam 'Ali Khan Siddiqi Bahadur, Fath Jang, Sipah Salar, Nawab Subedar of the Deccan.

Life

Asaf Jah II became the subahdar of the Deccan on July 8, 1762. He transferred his capital from Aurangabad to Hyderabad in 1763 as Aurangabad was very close to Maratha Territory and therefore prone to aggression.

In 1762, Raghunathrao allied with the Nizam due to mutual distrust and differences with Madhavrao Peshwa. The Nizam marched towards Poona. In 1763, Madhavrao defeated Nizam at Rakshabhuvan and signed a treaty with the Marathas. In 1795, he was defeated by the Marathas and was forced to cede Daulatabad, Aurangabad and Sholapur and pay an indemnity of Rs. 30 million . The following year, judging himself menaced by Tipu Sultan of Mysore, he entered into Subsidiary Alliance with the British East India Company . Thus Hyderabad, which is in both area and population comparable to the United Kingdom, became a princely state within the British Raj.

A French general, Monsieur Raymond, served as his military leader, strategist and advisor.

Death

Asaf Jah II died at Chowmahalla, Hyderabad at the age of 69 on...
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