‘Nizam described Hindus, Muslims as his two eyes’: Prof. Gopal Reddy

Hyderabad: The seventh Nizam of Hyderabad State Mir Osman Ali Khan described Hindus and Muslims as his “two eyes” and told his administration to shun discrimination between people on the basis of their faith.

This was revealed by Prof G. Gopal Reddy, member University Grants Commission, at the inaugural session of the two-day national seminar on The Cultural and Literary Traditions of Asaf Jahi period—Importance and Contemporary Relevance—on Tuesday, October 10.

The seminar is being organised by Haroon Khan Sherwani Centre for Deccan Studies. Prof. Gopal Reddy said that the former ruler of Hyderabad sanctioned 1800 acre land for the establishment of Osmania University and took personal interest in the architecture and construction of Arts College that represents his vision and understanding of the needs of his people.

He said that the culture of Hyderabad that evolved over centuries reflects tolerance of all faiths and peaceful co-existence among people.

Prof. Azarmi Dukht Safavi, Director—Persian Research Institute at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), said that the Deccan region is a strong reflection of the historic multi-cultural ethos that India is known for.

Prof. Safavi, in her keynote address, said that Persian language played a dominant role in the evolution of Deccan administration and culture for ages. “It is a major source of information on the medieval Deccan,” she said.

Allama Ejaz Farrukh, a noted cultural historian of Hyderabad said that the roots of Urdu language are found in Deccan and branches all over the country.

Noted historian and academic Prof Shaikh Ali described the Deccan region as a melting pot of cultures from across the world.

Prof. Muzaffar Ali Shahmiri, Vice-Chancellor of the newly formed Dr Abdul Haq Urdu University, offered to associate his institution with MANUU for research on this history, economics and culture of the Deccan.

Dr Mohammad Aslam Parvaiz, Vice-Chancellor of MANUU, said that the University was trying to develop literature in pure and social sciences in Urdu for the benefit of thousands of students. “After the experiment of Darut Tarjuma at Osmania University some 70 years ago in the area of translation from English and other languages into Urdu, MANUU has taken up that task. We are in the process of producing large cache of books that could serve well to the Urdu speaking people, especially the student community, in the country and elsewhere,” he said.

Prof. Naseemuddin Farees, Dean of Languages and Director of HKS Centre for Deccan Studies, welcomed the guests and gave details about the objectives of the seminar wherein about two dozen scholars will read papers and discuss various dimensions related to the region.