Marmaduke Pickthall Islam and the Modern World (Muslim Minorities)

130 Sherif

the Nizam on the terms of the dowry, the value of the trousseau, allowances,
clauses in case of a divorce and rights of succession.86 The latter at the time
was reputed to be amongst the richest in the world. The Nizam even broke
off the negotiations with the ex-Caliph, whom he referred to as the Khalifa,
over the financial terms, but then offered a way out through Akbar Hydari and
Pickthall’s intervention:

[...] it is absolutely necessary for you [Hydari] to go yourself to Nice in

company of Pickthall and to find out what is the Khalifa’s explanation on

this subject as his envoys refused to take to him my decision on the mat-

ter [...] You should ask the Khalifa to give me this assurance in writing

and signed by him in the shape of a letter addressed to me.87

Hydari and Pickthall duly arrived in Nice (staying at the Hotel Ngresco), and
their diplomatic skills breached the rift. The ex-Caliph wrote back – signing
himself as Khalifa – to the Nizam in conciliatory terms: “after the communica-
tion made to me by Sir Akbar Hydari and Mr. Pickthall. I am happy to address
myself direct to my brother”.88 This was followed by a more detailed letter that
Pickthall may well have drafted, cognisant of his patron’s temperament:

[...] Feeling sure that Your Exalted Highness, who has such high ideals

and qualities, will consider my daughter as his own daughter and will do

everything that is necessary for the honour and prestige of both parties,

I think it is unnecessary to discuss such [financial] matters. As Sir Akbar

Hydari and Mr. Pickthall suggested to me, I write direct to Your Exalted

Highness [...] Your Exalted Highness being the model of fatherly affection

will understand the feelings of a father. I hereforth confide my daughter

first to the safekeeping of Almighty God and afterwards to Your fatherly

protection. And I leave it to Your Exalted Highness, My august brother, to

arrange everything in accordance with the dignity of our two houses.89

The Nizam’s heir apparent Azam Jah had arrived in Nice, accompanied with
his younger brother, Muazzam Jah. Fortunately Azam Jah and the princess
took a liking for each other. At the same time, Muazzam was considered a

86 Ibid., Sir Akbar Hydari’s cable to the Nizam, 13 October 1931. The clause on the rights of
succession stated that it would be “in all circumstances on male issue of the marriage”.
87 Ibid., The Nizam’s cable to Sir Akbar Hydari, 17 October 1931.
88 Ibid., Caliph Abdul Majid to His Exalted Highness the Nizam, dated 23 October 1931.
89 Ibid., The ex-Caliph Abdul Majid ii’s cable to the Nizam, 27 October 1931.