Hyderabad Literature Festival Unveils Exclusive Nizam Family Photography Exhibition
A remarkable photography exhibition featuring over 250 previously unseen images from the private collections of the family of Hyderabad's last recognized Nizam, Mukarram Jah, Asaf Jah VIII (1933–2023), stands as one of the premier attractions at this year's Hyderabad Literature Festival. This extraordinary display offers an intimate glimpse into the royal heritage and personal life of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.
Royal Archives Revealed
The exhibition draws primarily from the Chowmahalla Palace Collection and the immediate family's personal archives, with most photographs never before displayed outside palace walls. Prince Azmet Jah, the current head of the Asaf Jahi family and a trained cinematographer, inaugurated the exhibition, sharing personal reflections on his family's legacy.
"Following my marriage in 1996, my parents, who had separated, reunited and collaborated to restore the Chowmahalla and Falaknuma Palaces," Prince Azmet Jah recalled during the inauguration ceremony.
Personal Memories and Royal Artifacts
The prince shared nostalgic memories of Hyderabad's royal past, describing how KBR Park served as their private garden during his childhood. "We rode horses from KBR to Golconda Fort, and we even had an elephant," he revealed, painting a vivid picture of royal life in Hyderabad.
Several vintage cars once owned by his father are now prominently displayed at Chowmahalla Palace alongside other significant artifacts, including a minesweeper, creating a comprehensive representation of the Nizam's material heritage.
Special Commemoration and Limited Edition Publication
Curated specifically to mark the birth anniversary of Mukarram Jah, the exhibition brings together rare photographs, historic documents, and memorabilia in a cohesive narrative. Curator Anuradha Naik emphasized the exhibition's uniqueness, stating, "These images have never before been loaned for display outside the palace. A limited-edition book cataloguing the photographs and memorabilia will also be available."
The exhibition represents a significant cultural contribution to Hyderabad's heritage preservation efforts, providing both scholars and the general public with unprecedented access to visual documentation of the Nizam's era.
