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Prof. M. VENKATESHWAR RAOM.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.

(Accredited by NAAC with the highest ratingof FIVE Stars)

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY

University College of Arts & Social SciencesOsmania University, Hyderabad 500 007, INDI

Mobile : 9885103193Tele : Off. +91-40-27682387

Res. +91-40-27004251

Fax : 091-040-27090020

Lr.No.78/Sem/HOD/Hist/2010. Date: 25-6-2010.

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON

HYDERABAD STATE: SOCIETY, ECONOMY AND POLITICS 1724 TO 1956

Dear ..

I am happy to inform you that the Department of History, Osmania University, is

organizing a Three Day International Seminar on 16-18 December, 2010. The purpose of

this seminar is to stimulate further research and generate more scholarly literature on the

important aspects of the History and Culture of the Nizam State. I am enclosing herewith

the theme note for perusal. Kindly contribute a research paper on the theme of the Seminar.

Please send the abstract of your paper on or before 15th August, 2010.

Needless to mention TA & DA will be paid to the delegates as per University norms.

Foreign scholars will be provided free travel and boarding/lodging facilities in the

University Guest House.

Looking forward to listening from you soon.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

(Prof. M. VENKATESHWAR RAO)Director of the Seminar

Prof. A. SATYANARAYANA Convenor of the Seminar

Sri G. SUDARSHAN REDDYCo-Convenor of the Seminar


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DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, OSMANIA UNIVERSITYORGANISING INTERNATIONAL NATIONAL SEMINAR ON

(Mid-December 2010)

HYDERABAD STATE: SOCIETY, ECONOMY AND POLITICS 1724 TO 1956

The State of Hyderabad under the Asaf Jahis emerged out of the ruins of

Bahamani and Qutub Shahi kingdoms and formed a polygonal tract occupying the centre

of Deccan Plateau. It was the last relic of Islamic rule in the Deccan. It was

considered to be the archetypical princely State with undiluted autocratic powers and

hence it was different from others. Hyderabad, the premier State of India, was thelargest in terms of population and revenue. Likewise, in terms of territory it was as large

as England and Scotland put together. The Nizams State consisted of three linguistic

regions, viz., Telangana, Marathwada and Karnataka. It was a multi-lingual and multi-

religious state. Among the linguistic groups, Telugus constituted about 50%, Marathas

25% and Kannadigas 11% and the rest belonged to other linguistic groups. According to

the Census of 1941, 84% of the population were Hindus, 11% Muslims and the rest

belonged to other religious sects like Jains, Sikhs, Parsis, etc. For the purpose of

administration the entire state was divided into four Subas i.e., Warangal and Medak

(Telangana), Aurangabad (Marathwada) and Gulbarga (Karnataka).

In recent years socio-economic and political developments in the region have

attracted the attention of scholars and some works have been published. The process and

nature of regional state formation, the evolution of British Paramountacy, relations

between the Nizam and the regional potentates (Samstans, Jagirdars/aristocrats),

modernization of Hyderabad under Salarjung, socio-economic transformation under the

Last Nizam (Mir Osman Ali Khan), socio-cultural and political movements in the 19-

20th

century etc., are some of the themes on which latest works have thrown a new light.

In some studies, critical assessment of the nature and impact of Nizams rule on the

socio-economic and political conditions in the erstwhile Hyderabad State had been


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undertaken and the new findings have contributed for the revision of the existing

knowledge. Similarly, new aspects/topics such as the growth of subaltern (dalit/adivasi/

women/minorities) consciousness, identity movements and anti-feudal uprisings, socio-

cultural awakening and caste mobilization, ecological and environmental conditions,forest and water management, emergence of modern politics, process of the dissolution

of autocracy and feudalism have been highlighted by the scholars. These studies have

contributed to correct certain negative images of the princely state created by the

conventional/traditional historiographies. Indeed, in the mega narrative of Indian

nationalist movement, the history of the British administered provinces was highlighted

and the nationalist scholars treated the native States as mere appendages of the colonial

power. Consequently, Indian states did not receive adequate scholarly attention till

recently. In view of the recent research finding on the history of modern Hyderabad,

there is a need to go beyond certain simplistic notions regarding the interactions between

colonialism and princely India. It is also imperative to critically examine the complex

nature of princely regimes and to fill gaps in modern Indian historiography.

In recent decades there has been a feeling that the Telangana has become a

melting pot, and its identity is being undermined. Thus it became a battle-ground of

contending socio-economic and political forces. Attempts are being made to assert its

distinctiveness and difference. Articulation of differences have led to the rediscovery of

history and culture of Telangana. The distinctiveness of Hyderabad/Deccan culture and

its ethos formed the basis for the demand of separate statehood both during the pre and

post-independence period. It is being felt that the whole discourse of Visalandhra was

aimed at obliterating the claims of sub-regional distinctiveness. Thus at present the

rationale of a united state and the process of appropriation of Telangana into

Vishalandhra concept have come under critical scrutiny.

The state of Andhra Pradesh came into existence in 1956 as a consequence of the

historic movements launched by the Telugu speaking people living under two different


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political regimes, namely the British and the Nizam of Hyderabad. The roots of popular

movements for redrawing and regrouping of provincial territorial boundaries lie in the

divergent socio-cultural awakening, which can be traced to the early decades of the 20th

century. An accelerated sense of regional, linguistic identity and cultural consciousness,

alongside the rising tide of nationalism, successfully mobilized the support of dominant

caste/class elites, based on landed property and wealth. The articulation of such elites in

terms of the unity of Telugu people on linguistic basis sought to wipe out the sub-

regional distinctiveness in the State. It also attempted to minimize the socio-economic

disparities within the macro-regions. The sub-regional distinctiveness can be attributed

to caste, culture, linguistic and politico-historical factors. In fact, sub-regional feelings

are historically rooted in the popular psyche, for the Telugus were separated into two

distinct political units for a couple of centuries. Historically, Telangana region has a

separate political history and socio-cultural experience of more than five centuries. The

growing regional movements during the post-1956 period in Andhra Pradesh have led

intense scholarly and popular debates about the legitimacy of the formation of

Vishalandhra.

Therefore, the proposed International Seminar will focus on the evolution and

constitution of Hyderabad State and its disintegration in a long-term historical and

comparative perspective. It seeks to highlight the inter-relationship between State and

Society, agro-economic and politico-administrative system and formation of linguistic,

ethnic and religious consciousness over a period of time. This seminars main objective

is to understand the contours of regional, political and social formations in a historical

perspective. It will also examine the historical context that led to the formation of

Andhra Pradesh in 1956 through the merger of Telangana region with Andhra State.

The broad aspects of the seminar will include the following:


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1. Hyderabad States Relations with Paramount Power and the Samsthanas,

Jagirs, etc., and the Nature of State, Theocratic/Autocratic/ Democratic/

Secular. Polity-Society Relations.

2. Agrarian, Land Revenue, Forest, Excise, Economic Policies; Growth of

Irrigation and Its Impact on Agrarian Economy and Environment.

3. Programs of Modernization - Educational, Health, Industrial and Commercial

Development.

4. Growth of Public Awakening/Opinion; Chanda Railway Scheme to Nizams

Subjects League.

5. Growth of Socio-Cultural-Political Movements: Arya Samaj, Hindu League,

Dalit Movement, Itthadul Muslimeen Party; Struggle for Civil/Democratic

Rights - Andhra Mahasabha, Karnataka Parishad, Marathas Parishad and

Hyderabad State Congress.

6. Analysis of Mulki-non-Mulki; Local-non-Local Issues 1930s-1950s

7. Telangana Peasant Armed Struggle.

8. Tribal and Womens Movements.

9. The Role of Business and Business Classes.

10. Indian Independence and Its Impact on Hyderabad State. Razakars and Join

India Movements.

11. Police Action and Integration of Hyderabad State into Indian Union and Its

Implications Military and Civilian Governments.

12. Establishment of Democratic Government and Movement for Vishalandhra.

Safeguards and Attitude of Major Political Parties.

(Prof. M. VENKATESHWAR RAO)

Director of the Seminar

Prof. A. SATYANARAYANA Convenor of the Seminar

Sri G. SUDARSHAN REDDY


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Co-Convenor of the Seminar

***

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