Army to politics: Snippets from a storied journey

As HT marks 100 years, a look at centenarians whose lives have stood witness to India’s transformation

- Deepika Amirapu

M Krishna Murthy often remembers Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan.

When Murthy was a toddler, the Nizam still ruled Hyderabad and India was 13 years away from Independence. India's largest trade fair, the "Numaish Masnuāt-e-Mulki", or an exhibition of all things local, was held at the city's famed public gardens built by the Nizam, who was, by some accounts, among the world's richest men. Hyderabad's roads were washed and watered every morning and the streets leading to the Nizam's many palaces were lit up.

"The Nizam was an enigma," said Murthy. "Some say he was generous, others say he miserly. But it was just a matter of pride to be his subject." was На Having spent much of his life between Charkhandil and Bazaarghat, neighbourhoods in the old city, Murthy's most distinct memory is of the Nizam's two-time Prime Minister, Maharaja Sir Kishen Pershad.

"Kishen Pershad ji used to stand in his silver Rolls-Royce Phantom and throw newly minted coins as we lined the streets. We used to call out to him as 'Shad' (happy, his pen name) or utter Allah's name and he would throw fistfuls of coins at us. I still have the two paise and three paise," Murthy said.

And even after 100-odd years have passed since he stood on those manicured streets, Murthy doesn't look back at that display of opulence with disdain.

"Hyderabad never lacked in anything. There was always plenty and the Nizam's ministers used to give us all inaam every Diwali and Eid," he said.

Tryst with the army

Till a few years ago, Murthy travelled across the city on public transport to meet his friends and relatives. Now, age has prevailed.

But, crucially, the city has lost "that magnetism", said the 101year-old.