The Nizam Club is located in
Saifabad
Saifabad is one of the major suburbs in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
The Ravindra Bharathi auditorium is located here.
Transport
TSRTC
Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (abbreviated as TSRTC) is a state-owned corporation that ...
,
Hyderabad, India
Hyderabad ( ; , ) is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana and the '' de jure'' capital of Andhra Pradesh. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River, in the northern part of Southern In ...
. the club location is considered as heart of the Hyderabad city, which is exactly opposite to
Telangana
Telangana (; , ) is a States and union territories of India, state in India situated on the south-central stretch of the Indian subcontinent, Indian peninsula on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the List of states and union territories of India b ...
Legislative Assembly Hall. Surrounded in 4 acres land.
History
The club was established on 26 September 1884. by
Nawab
Nawab (Balochi language, Balochi: نواب; ar, نواب;
bn, নবাব/নওয়াব;
hi, नवाब;
Punjabi language, Punjabi : ਨਵਾਬ;
Persian language, Persian,
Punjabi language, Punjabi ,
Sindhi language, Sindhi,
Urd ...
Mahbub Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI
Asaf Jah VI, also known as, Sir Mir Mahboob Ali Khan Siddiqi Bayafandi (17 August 1866 – 29 August 1911) was the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad. He ruled Hyderabad state, one of the Princely states in India between 1869 and 1911.
Early life
Mahbo ...
. During those days, there was only one major club in the
Hyderabad State
Hyderabad State () was a princely state located in the south-central Deccan region of India with its capital at the city of Hyderabad. It is now divided into the present-day state of Telangana, the Kalyana-Karnataka region of Karnataka, and t ...
, the
Secunderabad Club
The Secunderabad Club is an elite club located in Secunderabad, India.
It is one of the five oldest clubs in India, the oldest club being the Bengal Club of Calcutta. The club went through four name changes before the name Secunderabad Club w ...
and it was exclusive and almost confined to the
British Resident
A resident minister, or resident for short, is a government official required to take up permanent residence in another country. A representative of his government, he officially has diplomatic functions which are often seen as a form of indir ...
of
Hyderabad State
Hyderabad State () was a princely state located in the south-central Deccan region of India with its capital at the city of Hyderabad. It is now divided into the present-day state of Telangana, the Kalyana-Karnataka region of Karnataka, and t ...
.
Therefore, The then
Prime Minister of Hyderabad State
__NOTOC__
This article lists the prime ministers of the Hyderabad State.
In 1919, Asaf Jah VII ordered the formation of the Executive Council of Hyderabad, presided by Sir Sayyid Ali Imam, and with eight other members, each in charge of one o ...
-
Mir Laiq Ali Khan Salar Jung II
Mir Laiq Ali Khan, Salar Jung II (died 7 July 1889) was a former Prime Minister of Hyderabad State (1884–1887). He belonged to the noble Salar Jung family. He is also known for authoring the Persian-language travelogue ''Vaqayeʿ-e Mosafer ...
, suggested a club for gentlemen of status and culture, irrespective of race, religion or creed, be established. And the Nizam Club came into existence.
In 1885,
Mahbub Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI
Asaf Jah VI, also known as, Sir Mir Mahboob Ali Khan Siddiqi Bayafandi (17 August 1866 – 29 August 1911) was the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad. He ruled Hyderabad state, one of the Princely states in India between 1869 and 1911.
Early life
Mahbo ...
sanctioned a monthly grant of Rs 100 towards rent for a suitable club building and this grant was continued till 1946.
The club was initially housed at the Abid Centre (now
Abids
Abids is a major commercial center in Hyderabad, India. Abids is well known as the oldest and most famous business area in Hyderabad. The state government building (TSFC), and the President Plaza, Badshah palace are located here. A variety of bu ...
), on a site where the old General Post Office building was subsequently located. Later, it was shifted to premises in the present Mahboobia Girls School complex.
The present premises was purchased in 1906 for a sum of Rs 30,000, located opposite to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly building
Management
The first president of the club was
Salar Jung II
Mir Laiq Ali Khan, Salar Jung II (died 7 July 1889) was a former Prime Minister of Hyderabad State (1884–1887). He belonged to the noble Salar Jung family. He is also known for authoring the Persian-language travelogue ''Vaqayeʿ-e Mosafer ...
, who continued till 1887. Since then, 24 persons served as presidents of the Nizam Club.
Structure
The sprawling club, spread across 4 acres of land, European in style, the central structure has a stone portico with steps leading up to the raised plinth. An arched corridor spans the entire facade and wraps around to the southern portion. A beautiful wooden staircase leads up to the upper floor.
Various additions and alterations have been made to the original structure. The club records attribute the construction of a magnificent Banquet Gakk ub 1910 to Nawab Hakim ud Dowla and the creation of the Card Room designed and constructed in 1945.
Facilities
Serving with the fleet of 300 staff, The Nizam Club is one of the best club in Hyderabad.
* Library: The Club library was started in the year 1884 AD, for the use of its members. Even though it was started with limited number of books now it is grown to an extent of approximately 4000 books consisting of Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children, Encyclopedia, History, Technical and literature of all languages. Nawab Nazir Yar Jung was the founder Secretary to the Library.
*Health Club: A well-equipped GYM and fitness centre for ladies with physiotherapy facilities has provided for the Club members. It is popular as one of the best Health Club centre of twin cities.
*Shuttle court: Two indoor shuttle courts with wooden flooring have been provided for the members. The club conducts interclub annual tournaments.
*Swimming Pool: it has two full size swimming pools, one is separate for under 14 age.
*Tennis court: Two sand tennis courts available for the member's use with floodlights. The club is proud to say that Ms.
Sania Mirza
Sania Mirza (; born 15 November 1986) is an Indian professional tennis player. A former doubles world No. 1, she has won six major titles – three in women's doubles and three in mixed doubles. From 2003 until her retirement from singles in ...
, the winner of the Wimbledon girls doubles title and become the first Indian woman to win a grand slam title had started learning tennis from this court.
*Billiards: The Club is maintaining a billiards section, with three tables. The club conducts the Inter-Club Snooker and Billiards tournament every year.
*Cards Section: The club runs the cards section for 24 hours. The game of cards will be played based on the skills. The club conducts prestigious open bridge tournaments and rummy competitions and whist drives every year.
*Restaurant: existing dining hall (Dine ‘n’ Drink) and Banquet Gakk ub, is very popular for mutton biryani, which has been famous from the days of Nizam’s Mughal chefs. The management also provides special entertainment zones for children.
Awards
INTACH
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is a non-profit charitable organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
In 2007, the United Nations awarded INTACH a special consultative status with Unite ...
awarded and Listed in the city's heritage for being a landmark, for its conscious restoration and preservation effort.
Restoration
Having intrinsic architectural value, the Nizam Club had been in a state of disrepair and neglect for quite some time. There is now a positive change in the building's upkeep. Sensitive restoration has been carried out to organize the utilities. The electrical fixtures are now in harmony and along with the restored furniture, have brought back the authentic heritage feel to the environment. The repairs and maintenance have been undertaken in original materials and a number of interventions reversed to restore the authentic lines and proportions.
See also
*
List of India's gentlemen's clubs
References
{{reflist
Gentlemen's clubs in India
Culture of Hyderabad, India
1884 establishments in India
Organizations established in 1884
Hyderabad State