Mir Osman Ali Khan
Usman Ali Khan Bahadur Fateh Jung (April 8, 1886 – February 24, 1967) also named Fath Jang Nawwab Mir Osman Ali Khan Asif Jah VII,was the last Nizam of Hyderabad. He was popular among his subjects as Ala-Hazrat. He was born in Hyderabad on April 5, 1886 at Purani Haveli. As he was the heir-apparent, great attention was paid to his education, and eminent scholars were engaged to teach him English, Urdu and Persian, Like his father and grandfather He learnt the Islamic sciences under the renowned scholar of Islam Sheikh-ul-Islam Hafiz Anwarullah Farooqi of the Jamia Nizamia of Hyderabad.
On April 14, 1906 he married Dulhan Pasha Begum, daughter of Nawab Jahangir Jung, at Eden Bagh at the age 21. Mir Osman Ali Khan, ruled for 37 years (from 1911 - 1948). His Dominion was larger than England and Scotland put together, with an area of 86,000 Sq. miles.
The seventh Nizam led a very simple life,even though he was one of the richest men in the world. He donated generously to every cause in India as well as abroad irrespective of caste and religion. If it was the Muslim theological school of Jamia Nizamia and the one at Deoband which received financial help, it was also the privilege of the Benaras Hindu University.
The Nizam’s rule saw the growth of Hyderabad economically and culturally. Electricity, railways, roads and airways developed. Huge reservoirs and irrigation projects such as the Tungabhadra, and Nizamsagar were completed. The early work on Nagarjunasagar was undertaken. The Osmania University, Colleges and Schools were founded throughout the state.Up to 11 % of the Nizam's budget was spent on education - schools, colleges, universities and even a Department for Translation was set up. Primary education was made compulsory and provided free to poor sections of society. Nearly all the public buildings currently in such as the Osmania General Hospital, High Court, Central State Library, Assembly Hall, Jubilee Hall and other buildings in the Public Garden were built during Osman Ali Khan’s reign.
Soon after India gained independence in 1947, all princely states were invited to either join the Republic or proclaim independence. The Nizam's dynasty had been the largest in rank since the abolition of the Mughals at Elhi and the King of Oudh. He chose to stay independent if not allowed to accede to Pakistan. After a lot of political wrangling, when the irregular militia of the Nizam's prime minister (the Razakars) began terrorising trains passing through the Hyderabad state, India annexed Hyderabad state by a military invasion under the rubric of a "Police Action." The Nizam was deposed though allowed to stay in Hyderabad. Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam, died on Friday, February 24 1967. It was the end of a princely era.