Introduction

In 1935, the Nizam’s Subjects League, more commonly referred to as Jameeyat Riya Mame Nizam, was established. Its founding slogan was the powerful rallying cry “Hyderabad for Hyderabadis.” Its primary motive was to promote and protect local identity, as well as cultural sovereignty, among the residents of the Nizam’s dominion. At a more specific level, the subjects league was concerned about the issuing of government jobs to local residents. It was increasingly worried about the placement of Non-Mulkis in key government jobs. So much so, in fact, that the league had a very specific agenda, which boiled down to the procurement of jobs for Mulkis in the government.

Origins of the Slogan ‘Hyderabad for Hyderabadis’

1. Administrative Reforms and Policy Shifts
The governance in Hyderabad saw an enormous shift, chiefly with the disbanding of the old cabinet council in 1919. The new model of rule was that of an executive council. This abolished several old-government employment policies and greatly emphasized the recruitment of local subjects (Mulkis) in civil services as opposed to outsiders. (Mulkis means those having any sort of local connection to Hyderabad—the employment policies here were a product of World War I. Because that war had started, the British government was seriously short of local funds, and this necessitated the recruitment of many local service men for Hyderabad to fight World War I. After the war, this shift in recruitment policy was retained.)
The Hyderabad Civil Service Committee had been established in 1919 via a Farman (Royal Decree). This Committee had played a crucial role in enforcing the policies of that period. It was during this time that the seeds of institutionalized efforts were being sowed to protect the Mulkis from overpowering attempts by Non-Mulkis in government employment.

2. Implementation of Mulki Rules and Regulations
To protect the people of Mulki even more, the Nizam took additional steps. He ordered the creation of new rules under Article 39 of the covenant signed by Syed Ali Ahsan, which had established the Gulbarga cantonment in 1853. The Nizam’s rules were strict: they restricted appointments to native-born subjects and long-term residents of a place. No one else could get a job. The Nizam’s government guaranteed that the next emperor, who would be also Muslim, would never rule over anyone of diverse ethnic backgrounds from anywhere in the Indus Valley to the Arabian Sea.
Mulkis were given preference over outsiders in the governmental positions. They ruled the local administration and protected the economic and professional interests of the local population. They made sure that the employment opportunities were preserved for the Hyderabadis, and they took care that the Non-Mulkis did not dominate the administrative structure.

3. Formation of Mulki Organizations
In the 1920s, a number of Mulki organizations emerged that were very important in pushing for the rights of local graduates and professionals. The most notable of these were:
The local graduates’ job security was the concern of the Osmania Graduates Association, which worked for just that. The Society of Union and Progress (London) occupied itself with lobbying on an international basis for Mulki rights. All of these efforts came together in 1935 under the banner of the formation of the Nizam’s Subjects League, which directed its energies toward:
Guaranteeing sufficient representation of Mulkis in decision-making bodies. Obtaining management posts for native residents. Reinforcing political activism among Hyderabad’s local populace.

Implications of the ‘Hyderabad for Hyderabadis’ Slogan

1. Cultural and Social Mobilization

The slogan “Hyderabad for Hyderabadis” took on a meaning far deeper than its immediate, literal sense. It became a symbol of pride for the people of the region. It:
– Defined who we are and who we were.
– Implied a certain politics of cultural reproduction and economic access.
– Defined a space for immediate local resistance against state policies that seemed to disadvantage local communities and promote outsiders.
Brought together Hindu and Muslim Mulkis for a common purpose: protecting their employment rights. Fostered regional identity, promoting local patriotism and resistance to outside administrative interference. Brought to light the growing discontent of native Hyderabadis, who felt increasingly shut out of their own government as more and more Non-Mulkis flooded into government jobs and administration.

2. Political Reactions and Reforms
The agitation put a lot of political pressure on the Nizam’s administration, and it led to the following:
Committees were formed to look into complaints of the Mulki, like the Aravamudur Ayyangar Committee (1939).
The Mulki rules were revised, which put in more teeth to the local employment protections.
The initial support of the Nizam, who recognized the political value of resolving the Mulki issue.
Tensions increased, however, when the call for a Responsible Government (an administration responsible to the people rather than just the Nizam) gained force. Wary of losing power, the Nizam withdrew his support, and political instability set in.

3. Decline and Dissolution of the Nizam Subjects League

Although it had early successes in gaining rights for the Mulkis, the Nizam Subjects League encountered increasing resistance from a number of factions, resulting in its being dissolved in 1939.
Ittehadul Muslimin emerged as a potent political force demanding Muslim dominion in Hyderabad. This took political energy and resources away from the Mulki movement and fed them into the new organization. As with the Mulki movement, internal division and lack of real support made Ittehadul Muslimin ineffective at influencing anything the Nizam and his administration were really interested in changing. Thus, from 1939 until the mid-1940s, we see an organization that is not quite a real player in the field but is very present in the light of day.

Q. Assess the origins and implications of the slogan ‘Hyderabad for Hyderabadis’ in the context of safeguarding the interests of local residents or Mulkis in Hyderabad.