An untold story: Nizams of Hyderabad once possessed 400 vintage cars

In a first, Hyderabadi vintage car enthusiast fondly knows as ‘Vintage Khan’ has documented the stories of the Nizam’s automobile collection in a coffee table book -- ‘Automobiles of the Nizams’.
Author Mohammed Luqman Ali Khan tracked down this Bentley that belonged to present Nizam Mukarram Jah and his father Azam Jah Bahadur, Prince of Berar.
Author Mohammed Luqman Ali Khan tracked down this Bentley that belonged to present Nizam Mukarram Jah and his father Azam Jah Bahadur, Prince of Berar.

HYDERABAD: Did you know that a whopping 400 flamboyant vintage cars -- bought from Australia, Europe and the USA -- were once in possession of the Nizams of Hyderabad? While many are well aware of the wealth, rich culture and heritage of the Nizams, very little is known about their automobile collection. 

In a first, Hyderabadi vintage car enthusiast fondly knows as ‘Vintage Khan’ has documented the stories of the Nizam’s automobile collection in a coffee table book -- ‘Automobiles of the Nizams’. In the book, Mohammad Luqman Ali Khan, tracks the story of how each of these cars came into the possession of the Nizam and their current whereabouts. 

The book’s cover was unveiled commemorating the golden jubilee of the coronation of the present Nizam, Mukarram Jah as the Nizam of Hyderabad in April last year. The book will be released on August 26.  “I have been working on it for over four years now. It will be released at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance at California. An annual event since 1950, it is the biggest motor car event. This year’s theme includes the showcase of motor cars from the British Raj,” informed 42-year-old Khan, a full-time banker based in Dubai.

Around a dozen cars owned by several Indian Maharajas will be on display at Pebble Beach, which are being flown and shipped from various parts of the country. Khan explained that he relied heavily on the archives provided by Princess Esra, wife of Mukarram Jah, and Prince Azmet Jah.  “While they gave me access to the royal library, I studied about the procurement of the cars, the way they were designed and custom-built to suit the Nizams,” shared Khan. 

Nizam lessons 
National Book Trust of India has approached Khan with the idea of having stories of the Nizams at elementary school levels. Khan is now working on this, collaborating with historians, teachers and experts to tell the story of the Nizams’ rule to children as young as six. “This will be mostly pictorial, with minimal and simple text. I was told that once it is out, it can be included in various curricula,” shared Khan

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