Azim Jah

Azim Jah

Azim Jah (27th May 1802 - 14th January 1874) was the brother of Azam Jah, the eleventh Nawab of the Carnatic and uncle of Ghulam Muhammad Ghouse Khan, the twelfth and last Nawab of the Carnatic. He held the title Nawab of Arcot from 1867 to 1874.

Early life

Azim Jah was the younger brother of Azam Jah, the eleventh Nawab of the Carnatic. He became the heir-apparent and regent when Ghulam Muhammad Ghouse Khan succeeded Azam Jah on the former's death in 1825. Azim Jah served as the regent from 1825 to 1842 during Ghouse Khan's minority. In 1842, Ghouse Khan was formally installed as the monarch.

Claim to the throne

Ghouse Khan ruled as the Nawab of the Carnatic from 1825 to 1855. On his death in 1855, the throne became vacant and in the absence of a legitimate male heir to Ghouse Khan, the state was formally annexed by the British according to the Doctrine of Lapse. Azim Jah protested claiming that he was the legitimate successor to the throne but met with little success.

Assumption of the title "Amir-i-Arcot"

After protracted negotiations and court cases, finally, in 1867, Azim Jah was granted the title of Nawab of Arcot or Amir-i-Arcot by Queen Victoria and given a political pension. The Letters Patent issued by the Queen was formally presented to Azim Jah at a banquet held by the Governor of Madras on 12 April 1871.

As Kalas Mahal or the Chepauk Palace, the official residence of the princes of the Carnatic had been taken over by the British in 1859, Azim Jahn constructed a new residence, the Amir Mahal, in Royapettah.

Death

Azim Jah died in 1874. He was succeeded to his title by his son Zahir-ud-Daula.

References

• "Azim Jah (1867-1874)". The Royal House of Arcot. Archived from the original on 24 March 2009.