Society

Diversity

• The society of the Hyderabad state was diverse in nature. It included people of multiple ethnic, racial and social backgrounds.
• The Hyderabadi Tehzeeb was characterised by peaceful co-existence of these different social classes.
• The foundations of this Hyderabadi Tehzeeb were laid before the Asaf Jah rule when Hyderabad was still a Mughal province.
• Some of the prominent demographic groups included the Persians, Telugus, Kayasthas and Siddis.
• Persians were a part of the Hyderabadi society since the time of the Qutub Shahi rule in the Deccan. A tremendous amount of Persian influence can be seen on the art, architecture, literature and culture of Hyderabad.
• The Kayastha came to Hyderabad along with the Mughal administrators during the early days of the establishment of the Hyderabad State. They were the intellectual pillars of the court.
• Turkish and Persian scholars, artists, craftsmen and traders also came to the Deccan. The intermingling of people from different regions led to the emergence of ‘Dakhni Boli,’ a dialect of the Urdu language.
• In the 19th century, the African Cavalry Guards was formed within the Nizam’s army. These soldiers traced their ethnicity to West Africa. These men married into Indian families and were assimilated into the local society. They were called ‘Siddi’ or ‘Habshi’.
• The Hyderabad state also comprised of many tribes including the Gondas, Banjaras, Koyas, Konda, Reddys, Erukalas and Chenchus.