Osman Ali Khan

Osman Ali Khan ascended the throne of Hyderabad after the death of his father, Mahbub Ali Khan. He became the last ruling Nizam and was known for his immense wealth and cautious political stance.

Osman Ali Khan established Osmania University in Hyderabad, one of the first modern universities in India. The university offered education in Urdu and English and became a major center for higher learning in the Deccan.

Time magazine featured Osman Ali Khan on its cover and declared him the richest man in the world. His wealth was estimated at over $2 billion, derived from Hyderabad's gold reserves, land, and the famous Golconda diamond mines.

After the Partition of India, Osman Ali Khan declared Hyderabad's independence and refused to accede to either India or Pakistan. This led to a standoff with the Indian government, culminating in the police action of 1948.

The Indian government launched Operation Polo, a military operation to annex Hyderabad. Osman Ali Khan's forces were defeated after five days of fighting, and Hyderabad was integrated into the Indian Union, ending his rule.