The Days of the Beloved

Hyderabadis still remember the reign of Mahbub Ali Pasha as a golden age in the history of their city. Mahbub, beloved of his people, who ruled Hyderabad at the turn of the present century, became a legend in his generosity and benevolent concern for his subjects.

Weaving together memories, stories and anecdotes, historical facts and archival source material, this book paints a loving picture of life at various levels in this elegant city, and of Mahbub Ali Pasha himself, who, like a fairy-tale prince, mixed with the common people, sharing their joys and sorrows.

Harriet Ronken Lynton lived in Hyderabad for several years. She is a former member of the faculty of the Harvard Business School and author of several books on Organizational Behavior. Writing about Hyderabad history is a strong avocation. She is currently working on a book about Sir Salar Jung, Dewan of Hyderabad and Mahbub Ali Pasha’s Regent. At present she lives in New Delhi.

Mohini Rajan belonged to a Hyderabad family. Granddaughter of the man who was Kotwal under Osman Ali Khan Nizam VII, she was familiar with many of the families who appear in this book. Mrs. Rajan died in 1975.