RESEARCH “The city, however, does not tell its past but contains it like the lines of a hand”

contains it like the lines of a hand” ― Italo Calvino

INTRODUCTION

Differing both in structure and operation from its parent Mughal model, the political
system which came to be known as Hyderabad State developed in the Deccan in the
second half of the eighteenth century. The major structural difference lay in the great
power of two hereditary daftardars, the keepers of the central revenue records—these
men could usurp the Diwan's (Chief Minister's) traditional control of government
finances. Without overemphasizing contrasts with the Mughal model, for few behavioral
studies have been made of Mughal administration, other apparent differences lay in
Hyderabad's complete reliance on private contractors for revenue collection, the
customary treatment of jagirs (land grants) as inheritable, and clear functional
distinctions within the mansabdari system. Loosely structured patron-client
relationships and the use of vakils or intermediaries characterized the operation of the
system. The participants—nobles, local rulers, military men, bankers, record-keepers—
were of diverse origins. The recruitment and composition of the Hyderabad nobility
reflected the flexibility of the political system.

The Political system of Hyderabad led to the immigration of different caste of people
who were specially appointed by the Nizam’s for different posts under rule. These
people serve as Peshkars, Jagirdars, Zamindars and so on. As a token of appreciation to
these nobleman, Nizam gifted lands in their territory which was known as Inam Land,
over which these nobleman used to construct temples as a symbol of their jagir or
territory. This pattern of temple construction with a more contemporary version of
Kakatiya style of temple architecture is found in 19th century extensively in Hyderabad.

In certain cases the region was named after the name of temple, similar to KISHANBAGH
TEMPLE.
The temple is known as “SRI MURLI MANOHAR SWAMY TEMPLE” located in the old city
of Hyderabad and the region was named after the temple as “KISHANBAGH”.

There are several more temples constructed in Hyderabad during 19th century, by
different families, such as;
• Venkateshwar temple by Pitti family
• Rambagh temple in Attapur village built by Bhatnagar family.
• Sri murli Manohar Swamy Temple , Kishanbagh
• Kashibugga Temple, Kishanbagh
• Radha Bagh Temple, Kishanbagh

MAJOR FINDINGS AND FACTS

• From the time of Nizam ul-Mulk, the Nizam's right to appoint the Nawab of the
Carnatic was challenged by others. The challengers included the Marathas, the
French, the English, various Pathan Nawabs, and factions within Hyderabad, the
Carnatic, and Delhi. The Nawab of Arcot was proclaimed independent of the Nizam
in a treaty between the Nizam and the English in 1768. (Source - Regani, Nizam-
British Relations, 2–3, 18–62, 135)

• The vakils of the Nawab of Arcot employed local men to supervise the Nawab's jagirs
outside the city and his nearby gardens and to attend to the tombs of his relatives
and associates in the city.

• Most of the administrative terms used in Hyderabad and the functions they denoted
were identical to those in the Mughal system.

• A good example of this is the career of the Bansi Raja Saksena Kayasth family. This SRI MURLI MANOHAR SWAMY TEMPLE , KISHANBAGH
family gradually acquired posts and mansabs and finally reached noble status with
the award of a high zat rank and a savar rank and titles and other distinctions. The
ARCHITECTURAL STATEMENT FOR THE
process took five generations, from 1760 to 1884.
TEMPLES DEVELOPED IN 19TH C IN THE CITY OF
• Often the families in civil administration with relatively low mansabs did compensate HYDERABAD DURING THE NIZAM’S REIGN
by having large jagirs. The best example here is the Malwala Kayasth family, which
held substantial jagirs from 1760—yet no family member ever held a zat mansab “The undisturbed open space and the vernacular-
over 4500.
styled courtyard, stone pillars, roof, gopuram, stucco
works etc., which remain untouched even after two
• the family of Raja Gopal Singh Gaur, a Rajput appointed as qilahdar, or commander
of the fort, of Qandhar. This Rajput noble family was prominent in the eighteenth centuries, showcase the true Deccani-Telangana
century but resided at Qandhar and was not influential in the nineteenth century. style of architecture without any Dravidian style
intervention.”
• Only the rulers of Paloncha and Sholapur were Brahmins. The rulers of Amarchinta,
Gadwal, and Wanparty were Reddis; the ruler of Anagondi was a Razu; the ruler of
Jatprole was a Telaga Balaja.
Submitted by :
Ar. BHAVYATA AGRAWAL