Cultural Heritage of Asaf Jahis - Art, Architecture, Fine Arts, Cuisine, etc.

 

QUESTION:  Cultural Heritage of Asaf Jahis  - Art, Architecture, Fine Arts, Cuisine, etc.

Answer:

Cultural Heritage of Asaf Jahis

Introduction

The Asaf Jahis, commonly known as the Nizams of Hyderabad, were a dynasty that ruled the princely state of Hyderabad from 1724 to 1948. Founded by Mir Qamar-ud-din Siddiqi, who was granted the title Asaf Jah by the Mughal emperor, the dynasty consisted of seven Nizams who presided over a period of cultural flourishing. Their rule blended Persian, Turkish, Mughal, and local Deccani influences, creating a unique cultural tapestry often referred to as the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb—a harmonious coexistence of Hindu and Muslim traditions. This era saw significant patronage of arts, literature, and architecture, transforming Hyderabad into a center of cultural excellence. The Nizams attracted artists, poets, scholars, and craftsmen from across the world, fostering innovations in various fields. Their legacy endures in Hyderabad's architecture, cuisine, festivals, and performing arts, making the city a UNESCO-recognized creative hub for gastronomy. The cultural heritage of the Asaf Jahis reflects a synthesis of Indo-Islamic aesthetics with regional Telugu and Marathwada elements, emphasizing opulence, refinement, and multiculturalism.

Art   .              www.osmanian.com

The art forms under the Asaf Jahis were deeply influenced by Mughal and Persian traditions, adapted to the Deccani context. One prominent style was Deccani painting, which evolved during the Qutb Shahi period but continued to thrive under the Nizams. Characterized by luminous gold and white hues, these paintings depicted regional landscapes, flora, fauna, and human figures in vibrant colors, often incorporating Islamic motifs with local cultural elements like costumes and jewelry. The Hyderabad style of painting, emerging in the 17th century, was a direct offshoot, heavily inspired by Mughal miniatures but distinguished by its bright palette and focus on everyday life in the Deccan plateau.

Handicrafts also flourished, with Bidriware becoming a hallmark of Asaf Jahi craftsmanship. Originating in Bidar but popularized in Hyderabad during the 18th century, Bidriware involves intricate metalwork where silver is inlaid into a blackened alloy of zinc and copper. This technique, influenced by Middle Eastern methods, produced exquisite items like vases, hookahs, and jewelry boxes, often adorned with floral and geometric patterns. It gained geographical indication status, symbolizing the dynasty's role in preserving and promoting artisanal skills. Kalamkari, another key art form, involved hand-painted or block-printed cotton textiles using natural dyes derived from plants and minerals. Artisans created elaborate narratives on fabrics, drawing from mythological stories and courtly scenes, which were used for clothing, tapestries, and decorations.

Fine jewelry craftsmanship was equally notable, with Hyderabad emerging as a center for pearl and diamond work. The Nizams' vast collections, including the famous Jacob Diamond, underscored their patronage of gemstone arts. Enamel work, lacquerware, and wood carvings also prospered, often featuring in palace interiors. The dynasty's courts hosted exhibitions and workshops, encouraging innovation while maintaining traditional techniques. Today, institutions like the Salar Jung Museum house artifacts from this era, showcasing paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts that highlight the Asaf Jahis' commitment to aesthetic excellence. This artistic heritage not only reflected royal opulence but also integrated diverse cultural influences, making Hyderabad a vibrant art hub.

Architecture

Asaf Jahi architecture represents a pinnacle of Indo-Islamic design, evolving from the earlier Qutb Shahi style into grand palatial structures with European infusions. The Nizams shifted focus from religious monuments to secular palaces, emphasizing luxury and functionality. Chowmahalla Palace, constructed over a century starting in the late 18th century, exemplifies this with its four quadrants, courtyards, and halls blending Persian, Mughal, and European elements. Its Khilwat Mubarak hall, adorned with crystal chandeliers and marble platforms, served as the durbar for royal ceremonies.

Falaknuma Palace, built in the late 19th century by a Paigah noble and later acquired by Nizam VI, draws inspiration from Italian Renaissance architecture, resembling Andrea Palladio's villas. Perched on a hill, it features marble staircases, Venetian chandeliers, and a library with rare manuscripts. Purani Haveli, initially the Nizams' residence, showcases Indo-Islamic arches and domes, while King Kothi Palace reflects neoclassical influences with its columns and facades.

Under Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam (Asaf Jah VII), Hyderabad modernized with Indo-Saracenic buildings designed by British architect Vincent Esch. Osmania University, Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad High Court, City College, and Kachiguda Railway Station blend Gothic, Mughal, and Rajput styles, using granite and intricate carvings. Other notable structures include Asman Garh Palace, Errum Manzil, Bashir Bagh Palace (now demolished), and Paigah Palace, all featuring stucco work, jali screens, and expansive gardens.

The dynasty also preserved and expanded earlier monuments like Charminar and Mecca Masjid, integrating them into the urban fabric. This architectural legacy earned Hyderabad the title of India's Best Heritage City in 2012, with many sites now restored for tourism. The Asaf Jahis' buildings not only symbolized power but also facilitated cultural exchanges, hosting poets, musicians, and diplomats in opulent settings.

Fine Arts

The fine arts under the Asaf Jahis encompassed painting, sculpture, calligraphy, and performing arts support, often intertwined with courtly life. Patronage extended to miniature paintings that captured royal portraits, hunting scenes, and romantic tales, using techniques like gold leaf application and fine brushwork. Sculptural arts were evident in palace decorations, with marble statues and reliefs influenced by Persian and European styles.

Calligraphy, particularly in Persian and Urdu scripts, adorned manuscripts, buildings, and artifacts, with masters creating elegant thuluth and naskh styles. The Nizams commissioned illuminated Qurans and poetic divans, blending art with literature. Fine arts education was promoted through court workshops, where apprentices learned from ustads (masters), ensuring skill transmission.

Institutions like Osmania University, founded in 1918, formalized fine arts training, offering courses in painting, sculpture, and theater. Cultural venues such as Ravindra Bharati and Shilpakala Vedika hosted exhibitions and performances, nurturing talents in visual and decorative arts. The dynasty's support for tawaifs (courtesans) indirectly boosted fine arts, as they excelled in poetry recitation, dance, and music, teaching aristocratic children refined manners and aesthetics.

Handicrafts like bidri and kalamkari were elevated to fine art status, with royal commissions producing museum-worthy pieces. The Salar Jung Museum, derived from a Nizam-era collection, displays over 40,000 artifacts, including European paintings, Indian bronzes, and jade carvings, reflecting the breadth of fine arts patronage. This era's fine arts emphasized harmony between form and function, influencing modern Indian aesthetics.

Cuisine.              www.osmanian.com

Hyderabadi cuisine, a cornerstone of Asaf Jahi heritage, evolved as a fusion of Mughlai, Persian, Turkish, Arab, Telugu, and Marathwada flavors, perfected in royal kitchens called matbakhs. The Nizams' chefs, known as khansamas, innovated dishes using slow-cooking techniques like dum pukht, where ingredients are sealed and cooked over low heat to retain aromas.

Hyderabadi biryani stands out, with basmati rice layered with marinated mutton or chicken, saffron, fried onions, and spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. The kacchi (raw) version, where meat is marinated overnight and cooked with rice, contrasts with the pakki (cooked) style. Kalyani biryani, a beef variant, caters to diverse tastes. Haleem, a Ramadan staple, is a stew of wheat, lentils, meat, and ghee, pounded to a paste and garnished with nuts—recognized as a geographical indication product.

Other savory dishes include pathar-ka-gosht (meat grilled on stone), marag (spicy mutton soup), lukhmi (meat-filled pastries), and baghara baingan (stuffed eggplant in peanut gravy). Vegetarian options like khatti dal (sour lentil curry) and mirchi ka salan (chili curry) accompany biryanis. Desserts feature qubani ka meetha (apricot pudding with cream), double ka meetha (bread pudding with milk and nuts), and sheer khurma (vermicelli pudding for Eid).

Irani chai, strong tea brewed with milk and spices, paired with Osmania biscuits, reflects Persian influences from immigrant cafes. The cuisine's richness comes from generous use of ghee, dry fruits, and exotic spices, often prepared for lavish daawats (feasts). UNESCO designated Hyderabad a Creative City of Gastronomy in 2019, honoring this legacy. Asaf Jahi cuisine promotes communal dining, symbolizing hospitality and cultural integration.

Literature

Literature thrived under the Asaf Jahis, with Urdu emerging as the court language, fostering poetry, prose, and scholarship. The Nizams patronized poets and scholars, attracting luminaries from North India after the 1857 revolt. Urdu ghazals, masnavis, and qasidas flourished, with themes of love, mysticism, and social commentary.

Mah Laqa Bai Chanda, the first female Urdu poet to publish a diwan in 1824, exemplified women's contributions, her work blending Persian and Deccani Urdu. Other notables include Dagh Dehlvi, Josh Malihabadi, and Fani Badayuni, who received royal stipends. The Nizams themselves were poets; Mir Osman Ali Khan composed verses in Urdu and Persian.

Telugu literature also received support, with the dynasty promoting bilingualism. Sarojini Naidu, the Nightingale of India, drew inspiration from Hyderabadi bazaars in her poetry. Institutions like the Urdu Academy and Telugu Academy continue this tradition, publishing works and hosting mushairas (poetry recitals).

Prose included historical chronicles like Tarikh-e-Asaf Jahi and autobiographies. The blend of Persian, Arabic, and local dialects created Deccani Urdu, a unique linguistic form. Literary festivals and libraries, such as the State Central Library established in 1891, preserved manuscripts, ensuring the dynasty's literary heritage influences contemporary Indian writing.

Music

Music during the Asaf Jahi era encompassed Hindustani classical, Carnatic, and folk genres, with royal courts hosting mehfil gatherings. Hindustani ragas were favored, influenced by Mughal traditions, while Carnatic elements reflected South Indian roots. Qawwali, devotional Sufi music, gained popularity at dargahs and festivals, with rhythmic clapping and harmonium accompaniment. .              www.osmanian.com

Ghazals, poetic songs set to music, were performed by tawaifs and court musicians, emphasizing emotional depth. Instruments like the sitar, tabla, sarangi, and veena were common, with the Nizams commissioning custom pieces. Folk music included dholak ke geet (household songs) and marfa (drum-based rhythms for celebrations).

The dynasty supported music education, with ustads training disciples in gharanas (schools). Festivals like the Taramati Music Festival honor this legacy, featuring classical renditions. Modern Hyderabad hosts concerts blending traditional and contemporary styles, preserving the Asaf Jahi musical ethos of harmony and expression.

Dance

Dance forms under the Asaf Jahis included Kathak, introduced from Mughal courts, characterized by intricate footwork, spins, and storytelling through gestures. Performed by tawaifs in royal assemblies, it conveyed tales from epics and romances. Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam, with Telugu influences, were patronized, featuring expressive abhinaya (facial expressions) and rhythmic nritta.

Perini Shivatandavam, a vigorous male dance dedicated to Shiva, was revived from ancient traditions, reflecting warrior aesthetics. Folk dances like Bonalu processions involved communal participation with drums and songs. The Nizams' courts integrated dance into cultural diplomacy, hosting performances for dignitaries.

Cultural centers today, such as Shilparamam, showcase these dances, ensuring continuity. The Asaf Jahi patronage elevated dance from ritual to art, blending North and South Indian styles.

Festivals

Festivals during the Asaf Jahi period celebrated religious and seasonal diversity, embodying multicultural harmony. Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha featured grand prayers at Mecca Masjid, followed by feasts of haleem and sheer khurma. Ramadan involved nightly taraweeh prayers and iftar gatherings.

Hindu festivals like Bonalu, dedicated to goddess Mahakali, included offerings of rice and processions with music and dance. Bathukamma, a floral festival for women, honored nature with colorful arrangements and songs. Dasara and Ugadi (Telugu New Year) marked victories and renewals with decorations and sweets.

The Deccan Festival, an annual event, commemorates the dynasty's legacy with arts, crafts, ghazals, and qawwalis. Ganesh Chaturthi saw elaborate idols, especially at Khairtabad. Diwali illuminated bazaars with lamps and fireworks. These festivals fostered community bonds, with the Nizams participating in interfaith events, promoting tolerance.

Clothing.              www.osmanian.com

Asaf Jahi clothing reflected royal elegance and cultural fusion. Men wore sherwanis—long coats with churidar pajamas—adorned with embroidery and jewels for formal occasions. Kurtas and lungis were everyday attire, influenced by Mughal and Deccani styles.

Women favored salwar kameez with khara dupattas (standing veils), often in silk or cotton with zari work. Burqas and hijabs were common among Muslim women, while saris with intricate borders appealed to Hindu communities. Pearls and gold jewelry, including bangles, necklaces, and nose rings, complemented outfits, with Hyderabad famed for its pearl markets.

The Nizams' opulent wardrobes included Persian-inspired robes and turbans, setting fashion trends. Today, traditional attire persists in weddings and festivals, blending with modern influences.

Other Aspects

Language and handicrafts formed additional pillars of Asaf Jahi heritage. Deccani Urdu, a dialect mixing Hindi, Telugu, and Persian, was the lingua franca, used in poetry and administration. Handicrafts like lacquer bangles and woodwork thrived in bazaars like Laad Bazaar.

Film and theater emerged later, with Hyderabadi dialect movies gaining popularity. The dynasty's emphasis on education and culture laid foundations for modern institutions, ensuring a lasting legacy in Hyderabad's vibrant society.