Page:The Nizam.djvu/111

 CHAP. VI.

SECUNDER JAH. NASEER-OOD-DOWLAH UFZOOL-OOD-DOWLAH, THE REIGNING NIZAM, AND HIS RESOURCES.

Secunder Jah, the second and surviving son of Nizam Alee, succeeded to the musnud very peaceably ; though, so far back as 1798, the Governor-General had made this undisturbed possession of the throne subject of special consideration for the British Eesident at his father's court. Secunder Jah has been called illegitimate, but the expression is wrongly applied in respect of the Asopheea family; for the reigning prince, while he has unrestricted commerce with any female on the premises of his palace, the moment she becomes pregnant he undergoes with her the legal obligation of nikkah, which gives legitimacy to the issue. This, I may mention, is a common custom in all Mahommedan countries ; and the intervention of the Cazee is not even required; two witnesses, also to be Mahommedans, being sufficient to verify and make valid the nikkah.

Secunder Jah was born on the 19th October, 1771, and was originally named Akbar Alee! During his father's lifetime he was called Secunder Jah, as well as Folad Jung; but he preferred the former name upon assuming sovereignty. The assent of the Emperor of Delhi was ceremoniously obtained to his accession; and this was