nizamnam

Nizamnama was a series of farmans (farman is a royal or imperial order) issued by the Nizam of Hyderabad, or the rulers of the medieval Indian kingdom of Hyderabad Deccan. These orders, decrees, or instructions were issued in the name of the Nizam and were usually related to administrative, judicial, or revenue matters affecting the subjects of the kingdom. The term Nizamnama was used to refer to the formal document embodying these orders.

The Nizamnama generally followed a formal structure consisting of a proclamation of the Nizam's name, a statement of the purpose of the order, the essential rules and regulations, and the official seal or signatory. The language used in the Nizamnama was often a mixture of Persian and local dialects, reflecting the multi-cultural and diverse society of the kingdom.

In practical terms, Nizamnama would have been issued to convey administrative decisions, such as fixing annual revenues, making codes of justice, and announcing specific changes in government policies. In times of conflict or under the threat of external aggression, the Nizamnama might be used to protect or establish particular rights or to advise the Sultan in governance.

Documenting details about Nizamnama, particularly prior to the 19th century, are scarce. Historically, these proclamations were transmitted throughout the kingdom through various channels, including a network of imperial post offices and subordinate collectors. With modern times came the impact of colonial British policies and the increasing loss of the sort of paperwork that these event terms referred to when now mostly are non-used.