This 100-year-old university in Hyderabad has royal roots you probably didn't know about
Osmania University
, established over a century ago by a royal decree and built on a vision far ahead of its time.
In 1917, Mir Osman Ali Khan, the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad, issued a
firman
(royal order) to establish a university that would reflect the region's cultural identity. His goal wasn't just academic: it was deeply rooted in pride, language, and modern progress.
Sir Akbar Hydari, a senior official in the Nizam's government, had proposed the idea in a memorandum, stressing the need for a university that used Urdu, the most widely spoken language in Hyderabad at the time, as the medium of instruction.
This set the stage for Osmania University, the first in India to use Urdu officially, while still making English a compulsory subject.
Humble beginnings, historic impact
The university began functioning in 1918 with just 225 students and 25 faculty members, operating from a modest building near Nizam College at Basheerbagh. It offered only two faculties: Arts and Theology.
But the Nizam had bigger dreams.
To design a grand campus, the government invited renowned urban planner Patrick Geddes and British architect Edwin Jasper.
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Geddes surveyed possible sites, and Jasper drew up plans for the university buildings. The foundation stone was laid in 1934, and the campus soon took shape—featuring majestic Indo-Saracenic architecture overseen by Zain Yar Jung, the state architect.
A global university with local roots
Over the decades, Osmania University expanded rapidly. Today, it's one of the largest university systems in the world, with more than 3,00,000 students across its main campus and affiliated colleges.
As of 2012, it had welcomed over 3,700 international students from 80+ countries.
Interestingly, Osmania Medical College, now under Kaloji Narayana Rao University, was once part of its academic system.
Post-independence shifts and student movements
After India's independence in 1947 and Hyderabad's accession to the Indian Union in 1948, the university transitioned from royal oversight to state governance. There were even efforts by the central government to turn Osmania into a Hindi-medium central university.
But this triggered student-led Mulki agitations, protesting against the loss of regional identity.
Eventually, English became the primary medium of instruction. The Nizam's crown was removed from the university seal—but its legacy was never erased.
A cultural institution
Osmania University is more than a 100-year-old institution. It's a symbol of how language, heritage, and education came together in one of India's most diverse regions.
It has produced thousands of scholars, administrators, writers, and thought leaders—many of whom carry forward its royal-rooted legacy.
For young learners, Osmania stands as a reminder that powerful ideas can emerge from unexpected places: a princely court, a local language, and a commitment to inclusive education. In an era where students seek global opportunities, Osmania's story proves that local roots can lead to global impact.
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