Afzal ad Dawlah Asaf Jah V

Afzal ad Dawlah Asaf Jah V or Afzal ud Daulah Asaf Jah V, also known as Afzal ad Dawlah Asaf Jah V Mir Tahniyath Ali Khan Siddiqi was the fifth Nizam of the princely state of Hyderabad, which was the title of the ruler of Hyderabad State in India. He was born 11th October 1827 and ruled over the territory from the year 1857 to 1869. Afzal ad Dawlah Asaf Jah V was born as the elder son of Naser ud Daula Mir Farqunda Ali Khan Asaf Jah IV (Nasir ad Dawlah Asaf Jah IV) and his spouse, Sahebzadi Dialwar Unisa Begum Saheba, at Gufran Manzil. He was the 8th Nizam of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.

Rule of Afzal ad Dawlah Asaf Jah V
Afzal ad Dawlah Asaf Jah V Mir Tahniyath Ali Khan Siddiqi was a skilled and progressive Nizam or ruler who took a number of steps for the development and advancement of the princely state of Hyderabad. Further more, he reformed the judicial and revenue systems that existed in his state and introduced a postal service as well. He also supported in the construction of the first railway system and telegraph networks in the princely state of Hyderabad. He maintained proper liaison with the British East India Company and aided them by providing various types of services.

Sir Afzal ad Dawlah Asaf Jah V was conferred the Order of the Star of India on 31st August 1861 for his loyalty to the British Government of India. The authority of the Nizam of Hyderabad was segmented into 5 Subas and 16 districts. Each of the Subas under his dominion was supervised by a Subedar and each of the 16 districts was headed by a Taluqdar, who operated under Asaf Jah V. During the reign of Afzal ad Dawlah, Sir Salar Jung undertook several reforms for the betterment of the princely state of Hyderabad, such as the establishment of a Government Central Treasury in the year 1855.

Personal Life of Afzal ad Dawlah Asaf Jah V
Afzal ad Dawlah Asaf Jah V, the Nizam of Hyderabad was married thrice. His first marriage was with Sahebzadi Mahboob Begum Saheba. Later he was married with Sahebzadi Allah Rakhi Begum; and his third marriage was held with Sahebzadi Hussaini Begum Saheba. The Nizam had 6 daughters and 4 sons.

Afzal ad Dawlah Asaf Jah V Mir Tahniyath Ali Khan Siddiqi died at the age of 42 on 26th February 1869, after a reign of 12 years. He was buried at the Mecca Masjid. He was succeeded by his son Mahbub Ali Khan Asaf Jah VI who ascended the throne and became the sixth Nizam of the princely state of Hyderabad.

Titles of Afzal ad Dawlah Asaf Jah V
The full name, title and style of Afzal ad Dawlah Asaf Jah V was His Highness Sir Nizam-ul-Mulk, Afzal ad-Dawlah, Nawab Mir Tahniat Ali Khan Siddiqi Bahadur, Asaf Jah V, GCSI, Nizam of Hyderabad.

Honours of Afzal ad Dawlah Asaf Jah V
He was honoured with the Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (GCSI) by the British East India Company.