New book chronicles the untold life of 8th Nizam Mukarram Jah

A new book has opened fresh windows into the life of the late 8th Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Barkat Ali Khan, popularly known as Mukarram Jah Bahadur. The prince, who passed away in Istanbul on January 14, 2023, remains a figure of fascination, and this latest work reveals aspects of his journey that were little known until now.

The book, The Life and Times of the 8th Nizam, was released on Thursday at Afzal Mahal in the historic Chowmohalla Palace by his son and current Nizam, Prince Azmet Jah. Written by architect and designer Anuradha Naik, the limited-edition volume features more than 250 rare and previously unseen photographs, many drawn from the family’s private collection. Later family portraits were taken by Prince Azmet Jah himself.

Printed on art paper, the book is both a visual archive and a historical record of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. It traces Mukarram Jah’s remarkable journey from his birth in Nice, France, to his education at Cambridge, military training at Sandhurst, service in the



Territorial Army, and his years in India.

In the foreword, Prince Azmet Jah and his sister Shekhar Jah described their father as a man deeply devoted to India and its people. “Perhaps a flawed individual in certain ways, he never wavered from his love of India and remained devoted to his faith all through his life,” they wrote.

Proceeds from the book will support the HEH Mukarram Jah School, with scholarships awarded to deserving children. Nawab M.A. Faiz Khan, Trustee of the Mukarram Jah Trust for Education and Learning, welcomed the gathering.

The release follows a special exhibition curated by Anuradha Naik Associates to mark the prince’s birth anniversary. Opened on October 6, 2025, at Chowmohalla Palace, the exhibition remains accessible to the public.

Reflecting on her work, Naik, who has collaborated with the palace for 15 years, said, “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to write about the Nizam.”