Mir Najaf Ali Khan

Nawab Mir Najaf Ali Khan is a grandson of the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan and is a prominent figure known for heritage conservation, social initiatives, and legal representation of the Nizam's descendants.^[1][2][3]

Nawab Mir Najaf Ali Khan
Born	1964 (age 60–61)
Nationality	Indian
Relatives	Mir Osman Ali Khan (grandfather) Mukarram Jah (cousin)
Family	Asaf Jahi dynasty

He is an enthusiast of the Heritage of Hyderabad, and has also criticized the Government of Telangana regarding the negligence of several heritage structures and hospitals built by the 7th Nizam – Mir Osman Ali Khan especially the Osmania General Hospital (OGH),^[4] which is going to be demolished as it has become irreparable due to decades of negligence.^[5][6] His diverse involvement reflects his commitment to heritage, legal advocacy, social causes, political engagement, and the preservation of the Nizam's legacy.

Legal representation of Nizam family

He has been chosen by the Nizam's descendants to represent them in several court cases including the "Hyderabad Funds Case", which concerns the £35 million (value in 2019) which used to belong to the last Nizam and is now in the NatWest Bank in England.^[7][8] The case was decided in London in favour of the Republic of India and the Nizam's descendants in October 2019, with the concurrent dismissal of Pakistan's claim.^[9]

Opposition to demolition of Osmania General Hospital

He has vehemently opposed the demolition of Osmania General Hospital (OGH), and had written several letters to the previous Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan to intervene and expedite the restoration of the hospital building in response to ongoing protests by the Telangana Junior Doctors’ Association.^{[citation needed]} The protests, lasting over 100 days, prompted government assurances to address the dilapidated heritage structure. Khan emphasized the hospital's critical role, serving over 1,000 patients daily from neighbouring regions like Maharashtra and Karnataka. Despite an INTACH report affirming the building's fitness, Khan highlighted neglected repairs, including leakages from toilets and water pipes. Since 2018, Khan has repeatedly stressed the urgency of preserving both the historic structure and the healthcare services it provides to a significant patient population.^[10]

Social campaigns

In 2020, during the height of COVID-19 pandemic, he openly appealed via social media to fellow Muslims in Hyderabad, to abstain from excessive shopping while emphasizing the need to prioritize the well-being of the underprivileged during these challenging times. He encouraged Muslims to focus on helping those in need by donating towards the daily expenses of the less fortunate.^[11]

Joining the Indian National Congress

In November 2023, he officially joined the Indian National Congress in the presence of All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge. Khan emphasized the longstanding association of his family, spanning almost four generations, with the Congress, noting that joining the party was a natural extension of the historical ties between the Nizam family and the Gandhi family. He, along with his family have previously met former President of the INC, Sonia Gandhi, current President of the INC, Rahul Gandhi, and general secretary of the AICC, Priyanka Gandhi, several times.^[12] Kharge highlighted the Nizam family's significant contributions to the nation, extending from Jawaharlal Nehru's time to Rahul Gandhi's.^[13]

Meeting other royals

Nawab Najaf Ali Khan called on Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar at the Mysore Palace, wherein Wadiyar highlighted the role of the Asif Jahis in protecting interests of other maharajas against the British and during the India-China war in 1965. Prince Yaduveer stated how Mir Osman Ali Khan had contributed 5,000 kg gold to support the country.^[14][15]

He also highlighted a lesser known fact that The 7th Nizam was kind enough to support the construction of a very important part of the Mysore Palace.^[14]

Press conferences

Appreciating the Telangana State police

Nawab Najaf Ali Khan congratulated the Telangana State Police on behalf of the Nizam Family Welfare Association for recovering the items stolen from the Nizam's Museum within a week of the theft and nabbing the culprits. He stated^[16]

"We cannot even put into words our joy and relief that the stolen items of our beloved Grandfather were recovered. But we are also left feeling bittersweet as our happiness is also mixed with feelings of disappointment at the management who are solely responsible for this incident,"

Complaint against Mukarram Jah

Nawab Najaf Ali Khan met the Police Commissioner and submitted a complaint along with supporting documents. He alleged in the complaint that another grandson of the Seventh Nizam, Prince Mukarram Jah alias Barkat Ali Khan, his ex-wife Esra Birgen Jah (also the GPA holder of Prince Mukarram Jah in certain), his son Azmet Jah and his brother Prince Muffakham Jah had used false documents in the UK High Court to lay claim over the £35 million Nizam’s Fund lying in NatWest Bank there.^[17][18]