The Man Who Took on the Might of the British Empire, and Left it Red-Faced

In the annals of Hyderabad's history, few figures played a more crucial role than Moulvi Syed Muhammad Yusufuddin, whose life intertwined with the political machinations of British India in the late 19th century.

- MIR QUADIR ALI @Hyderabad

His career as a top administrative officer in the Nizam's government was replete with intrigue, daring exploits and legal battles and offers a glimpse into the complexities of colonial-era diplomacy and the resilience of Hyderabad's nobility.

Born into a distinguished family in Hyderabad, Moulvi Yusufuddin embarked on a career in public service. His acumen and dedication saw him rise from a junior Talukdar to the position of Subedar of Gulbarga. Beyond his administrative roles, Moulvi Yusufuddin was a man with a visionary mindset; he was the first to propose the construction of a dam at Srisailam to benefit vast tracts of farmland and pioneered the design of an Urdu-script typewriter.

The political landscape of the time was fraught with challenges. Following the demise of Nawab Afzal-ud-Dowlah in 1869, the infant Nawab Mir Mahbub Ali Khan ascended as the Sixth Nizam of Hyderabad. A Council of Regency managed the state's affairs until the young Nizam came of age. However, the greed of the British, who had expanded their control all over India, was insatiable.

Central to their evil designs on Hyderabad was Berar, a fertile region in present-day Madhya Pradesh. Historically, the Nizam had ceded Berar to the British under agreements that were supposed to be temporary. Despite repeated appeals by the Hyderabad government for its return, the British remained unwilling to let go of such a prized catch.