However, we can’t imagine Hyderabad to have become so successful and popular just because of being a tourism place. Today, there are many PSUs, IT/ITES companies and of course so many facilities – both entertainment and living wise, not because Hyderabad is one of the tourist places of South India, but because of its cosmopolitan nature that made it easy for people across all over the nation as well as all over the world to migrate, mingle and work with the people here. It made the globalization in Hyderabad easy. And without Western influence, this wouldn’t have been possible.

Both British as well as French have equal importance in setting up many institutions that became the root of solid Western education system in Hyderabad, back since 17th century itself. This also helped in expanding the city with Western culture in northern side of the Musi river.

The Nizam, during various times, had both French and British as part of his army, but maintained in separate locations outside his main city. Only the money required for maintaining the army was provided by the Nizam. The places assigned were almost inhabited by the people of the Hyderabad, who were, by that time, living either very far from the capital city or very inside it. Thus, both the armies have built the area – from the scratch – all by themselves.

Since the foreign army were not forced to build their cantonment areas resembling native cities – they built them as a city of their own respective country. Thus, the cantonment areas had all facilities that a cantonment city of a French or British nation used to have. These facilities included prominent institutions, industries, schools, etc. that made their culture to prevail even after decades of their leaving the city.

The French were the earliest of the two, to have resided in the city along with their army. The most noted officers of the French was Monsieur Raymond, also called Musa Ram by the natives. He was the then French General, in the service of Nawab Mir Nizam Ali Khan, the 2nd Nizam of Hyderabad. It was him who set up a place, around which many major institutions of the city prevail even today. The place was Gunfoundry, a factory that manufactures cannon and cannonballs – a modern institution set up in 17th century of the Hyderabad city.

Raymond soon established a great credibility and stature for himself among Nizam and his subjects. His distinction, temper, talent and character marked with a rare spirit of sainthood made him so much beloved of the Nizam and his subjects, that the British envied it. His cannon factory used to manufacture world class guns and cannons, as per historians.

St. Jospeh's Cathedral

The Gunfoundry was set up around in 1786. However, in 1798 Raymond’s death resulted in disarmament of the French by the British who overtook the area.

The oldest church of the city, St. George’s church, was built by these British in 1844 AD in the same area. This structure later became a Boy’s school and the church expanded into a beautiful monument in same area.

Rosary Convent

Though the French army left Hyderabad, the French missionaries set up All Saint’s School, existing even today as one of the premier institutes of Hyderabad. It then also became reason for establishment of 2 more premier institutes – Little Flower High School (1953) and St. Paul’s High School (1954).

All Saint's School

All these institutes resulted in inculcating scientific thought, mindsets in people of Hyderabad. The republican nature of the French has probably resulted in weak feudalism and castism in Hyderabad compared to other parts of Telangana area.

When Nizam wanted to start a bank, he chose the same locality rather than some other part of the city. Today the same bank has become the headquarters of the State Bank of Hyderabad, the largest associate bank of the SBI.

SBH

Though Gunfoundry is in ruins today because cannons and cannon balls are not relevant these days, it was the reason for establishing an area and culture that made Hyderabad match with the ideals of the modern civilization in Global village culture.

We can also notice that monuments and structures are not required to build a city culture that is positive and enduring. Apart from this Gunfoundry area and Secunderabad, which used to be the British cantonment area, there are no such great institutions in other parts of Hyderabad city including Banjara hills, Jubilee hills or the Hi-tech city or the Old city that encourage cosmopolitan culture, quality education, republican and non-feudalistic outlook.

Sure Old city has historical edifices and The Hills/Cyberabad have modern edifices. But the ability to educate (transform) person from inside has happened only in Gunfoundry and Secunderabad areas. The rest of the city represents tribal, feudal or blue collar outlook.

Anybody who has lived abroad and came back to Cyberabad will vouch that it represents Hollywood/fancy-land rather than a main street of America or Europe.

The supporting institutions that got set up as the by-products of the Gunfoundry have stayed relevant and survived even 225 years later. More importantly, they have established the common ground so that Hyderabad could be part of the Global world.

PSUs And Cosmopolitan Hyderabad
PSUs influenced the demographics of any region in significant way. As Hyderabad hosted large number of PSUs, defense establishments, and defense and civil research institutes, it led to generation of large-scale employment leading to migration from outside states into Hyderabad. Hyderabad has over 30 public sector undertakings of which 10 are central government undertakings. The migrant people who came to do blue collared jobs as well as white collared jobs also brought their culture and different languages. The culture of Hyderabad, which encouraged relationship of mutual respect among people along with freedom to follow their own beliefs, gave impetus to cosmopolitan culture. They over the years mingled in the culture of Hyderabad resulting in a cosmopolitan look.

The Emergence of PSU also gave impetus to various small scale and ancillary industries in Hyderabad, which again led to influx of large number of people from outside. Foundation of PSUs in different areas in and around Hyderabad led to development of infrastructure like electricity, water, roads etc. The PSUs also developed the nearby regions in terms of planned townships, good basic facilities, transport, schools etc. The availability of good infrastructure also helped migrants to thrive in Hyderabad. Due to PSUs, other supporting sectors like Education, Health, Hotel, and Banking etc also evolved.

Some of the prominent PSUs in Hyderabad are Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Electronics Corporation of India Ltd, HAL, and NMDC. The PSU companies played pivotal role in industrial development, creating infrastructure, and taking ahead the economy.

With increased urbanization and large number of people coming to Hyderabad, the types of people changed. A new type of upper middle class evolved which was cosmopolitan in nature due to its economic privilege. They were liberal and concentrated more on living in urban society. This upper middle class that developed did white collared jobs, and for them good living conditions were more vital.

Prominent PSUs In Hyderabad
There are many PSUs, defense establishments, and defense and civil research institutes in Hyderabad. Hyderabad has over 30 public sector undertakings of which 10 are central government undertakings. Some of the prominent PSUs like BHEL, BEL, HAL, NMDC, and HMT came up in Hyderabad in early 60’s. Hyderabad also has various defense establishments like Air Force Academy in Dundigal near Hyderabad, defense research institutes like DLRL and DRDL, and civil research institutes like CCMB. Various administrative institutes of national importance like Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) and National Police Academy (NPA), which has the responsibility to maintain administrative structure of country, are situated in Hyderabad. Institutes like National Remote Sensing Center (NRSC) and Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) situated in Hyderabad caters to various technologies based requirements. The headquarters of South Central Railway is also located in Secunderabad, which looks after railway service in Andhra Pradesh and some parts of other states.

Thus, the PSUs and Central government institutions played a major role in development of Hyderabad. Although the PSUs in Hyderabad are not in limelight today, they played a very vital role in building strong base for industries.

Born to Mir Mahboob Ali Khan Asaf Jah VI, Osman Ali Khan became apparent heir to the throne of Hyderabad after death of his elder brother in 1887. Many eminent scholars were engaged to teach him Urdu, Persian and English. He was a great scholar and wrote poetry in Persian and Urdu.

Richest man in the world:
Mir Osman Ali Khan succeeded his father Mir Mahboob Ali Khan on his death in 1911. The state of Hyderabad was the largest of the princely states with an area of 86,000 square miles or 2,23,000 sq.kms, which is nearly the size of today’s United Kingdom. Nizam was considered as the richest man during his days. He is Fifth on Forbes ‘All Time Wealthiest’ list of 2008. He was even featured on the cover of the 1937 ‘Time’ magazine. It was estimated that he had $2 billion fortune in early 1940s.

Developments under his rule:
One of Nizam’s first assignments after he ascended to throne was to take Mokshagundam Visweswaraiah’s advice on how to control the floods and use the excess floodwater. He undertook work of embankment of the Musi River and constructed Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar Dams at Gandipet on Visweswaraiah’s advice. It was because of his foresight and commitment to the welfare of his people, old city suffered minimum damage in the recent floods. He also undertook some irrigation projects on the Tungabhadra River.

It is said that upto 11 percent of the Nizam’s budget was spent on education. He set up many schools, colleges, universities including Osmania University and even a ‘Department for Translation’. He made primary education compulsory and provided free of cost education to the weaker sections of the society. He made immense donations to many institutions such as the Jamia Nizamia, the Darul Uloom Deoband, the Banaras Hindu University and even to some universities abroad.

The Nizam was responsible for starting earliest public sector undertakings such as Nizam Sugar Factory and Singareni Collieries. He set up the ‘City Improvement Board’ and replaced slums with planned colonies.

Mir Osman Ali Khan started his own bank called the ‘Hyderabad State Bank’, which is now referred as State Bank of Hyderabad. Hyderabad was the only state which had its own currency, the Hyderabadi rupee, in British India.

During his reign, many major buildings like Osmania General Hospital, Andhra Pradesh High Court, Asafiya Library (State Central Library), Town Hall (Assembly Hall), Jubilee Hall, Hyderabad Museum (State Museum), and the magnificent Hyderabad House at New Delhi were built.

Mir Osman Ali Khan was one of the great rulers of Hyderabad, who initiated many development programs in Hyderabad. Developments under his rule speak out his passion to serve the people. Despite of his major contribution to the developments in Hyderabad, he is often criticized for his only ambitious desire of becoming independent with the help of Razakars. Mir Osman Ali Khan died on 24^th February, 1967.