6th Nizam's scholarship award to Sarojini Naidu (short version) to travel to England

Mahbub Ali Khan - the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad State

The scholarship awarded by the 6th Nizam Mahbub Ali Khan to of Sarojini Naidu is a notable historical example of how the patronage of Nizam helped shape the career of one of India’s most iconic figures. 

Nizam's Scholarship to Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu, known as the "Nightingale of India," was a celebrated poet and a prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle. Born in Hyderabad in 1879, she showed prodigious talent in poetry and academics from an early age. Recognizing her exceptional brilliance, Mir Mahbub Ali Pasha, the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, awarded her a scholarship that enabled her to pursue higher education in England. The 6th Nizam made considerable intiatives in the field of Education (see the section below for more details). Awarding Scholarships to meritorious students was one of the intiatives undertaken by the 6th and then the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad. Sarojini Naidu was one such fortunate student. 

Background

Sarojini Naidu came from a progressive family. Her father, Aghorenath Chattopadhyay, was a scientist and educator, and the first Indian principal of Nizam's College in Hyderabad. Her early academic achievements, especially in languages and poetry, drew attention in elite circles of Hyderabad.

At the age of 16, Sarojini wrote a long narrative poem titled "The Lady of the Lake", which impressed many, including the Nizam. Her family’s association with the intellectual and elite class of Hyderabad further facilitated this royal support.

Scholarship and Studies Abroad

Thanks to the Nizam’s scholarship, Sarojini Naidu traveled to England in 1895, studying first at King’s College, London, and later at Girton College, Cambridge. These institutions not only gave her academic exposure but also connected her with key literary and political figures of the time.

Her time in England was formative — she refined her poetic craft, mastered English literature, and became familiar with the ideas of nationalism, women's rights, and liberty, all of which later shaped her role in India's freedom struggle.

Impact of the Scholarship

The scholarship was crucial in launching her intellectual and public life:

It gave her the means to develop her poetic voice, leading to the publication of her first volume of poems, "The Golden Threshold" in 1905.

It exposed her to progressive political thought and laid the foundation for her role in the Indian National Congress.

It helped her become one of the earliest Indian women to gain prominence on both national and international platforms.

Legacy

Sarojini Naidu later became the first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress (1925) and the first woman Governor of an Indian state (Uttar Pradesh). Her contributions to literature and politics are deeply intertwined with the early support she received from the Nizam.

Sources & References

Naidu, Sarojini. The Golden Threshold. London: William Heinemann, 1905. (Introduction by Edmund Gosse)

Dalmia, Vasudha. Poetics, Plays, and Performances: The Politics of Modern Indian Theatre. Oxford University Press, 2006.

Puri, Luv. “The legacy of Sarojini Naidu.” The Hindu, 2011. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-legacy-of-sarojini-naidu/article1471529.ece

Reddy, Sheela. Mr. and Mrs. Jinnah: The Marriage That Shook India. Penguin, 2017. (Mentions Sarojini Naidu and her early influences)

Additional Sources:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/nizams-kin-pulls-out-firmans-showing-last-rulers-generosity/articleshow/67416257.cms

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Educational efforts during the reign of Mahbub Ali Pasha (Mir Mahbub Ali Khan), the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad (reigned 1869–1911):

Educational Efforts During Mahbub Ali Pasha's Reign

Mahbub Ali Pasha, the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad, presided over a period of substantial development in education, influenced both by internal reforms and British colonial presence. Although his rule began at a young age with a regency, later years saw a rise in structured efforts toward modern education.

1. Establishment and Expansion of Educational Institutions

The Department of Education was officially established in 1874, marking a turning point in state-sponsored educational development in Hyderabad (Haque, 1990).

Primary schools were established in various parts of the state to promote basic education, particularly in urban areas.

Madrassahs and maktabs continued to operate, blending traditional Islamic education with modern subjects.

2. Hyderabad College (Later Nizam College)

The Hyderabad College was established in 1887, renamed Nizam College in 1899. It was affiliated with the University of Madras.

This institution became one of the most prominent centers of higher education in the Deccan region (Sherwani, 1967).

3. Encouragement of English and Modern Education

The administration under Mahbub Ali Pasha supported English education, aligning with British policies of the time.

Schools and colleges taught subjects like science, mathematics, and English literature alongside Persian and Urdu.

4. Support for Girls’ Education

Although limited, there were initial efforts to encourage education for girls, particularly from elite families.

Some zenana education initiatives (female education in seclusion) were started under the patronage of the Nizam's court (Minault, 1982).

5. Scholarships and Incentives

The government instituted scholarships and stipends for meritorious students.

Bright students were often sent to Madras and Bombay universities for higher studies, especially in medicine and law.

6. Public Libraries and Literary Societies

Asafia Library, founded earlier, was expanded and gained importance as a public institution under Mahbub Ali Pasha’s reign.

Literary and scientific societies were encouraged, especially those promoting Urdu and Persian literature (Salahuddin, 1996).

Resources and References

Haque, Syed Viqaruddin. Educational Development in Hyderabad State (1853-1948). Hyderabad: Maktaba Jamia Ltd., 1990.

Sherwani, Haroon Khan. History of the Deccan. Vol. 2. Hyderabad: Government of Andhra Pradesh, 1967.

Minault, Gail. Secluded Scholars: Women's Education and Muslim Social Reform in Colonial India. Oxford University Press, 1982.

Salahuddin, Syed. Libraries in the Princely State of Hyderabad. Hyderabad: Dairatul Maarif, 1996.

University of Hyderabad Archives and the Osmania University Library collections.

Government of Hyderabad State, Annual Reports of the Department of Education (1874–1910).

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Photo Reference:

Regents pic - 

The Salar Jung Museum — Google Arts & Culture https://share.google/w1qSTHAS3bwg7CFpm

Yusuf Ali Khan - Salar Jung 3

The Salar Jung Museum — Google Arts & Culture https://share.google/Km9MEp98iqzFUfcip