Chandu Lal

Chandu Lal Malhotra (1766 – 15 April 1845), better known as Maharaja Chandu Lal was the Prime Minister (1833–1844) for the 3rd Nizam of Hyderabad, Sikandar Jah. He was born in Hyderabad Deccan (now Hyderabad, India), and hailed from a Hindu family of the Khatri caste with origins in Lahore. He was also a poet of Urdu, Hyderabadi, Punjabi and Persian.

Family Chandu Lal Sadan was born in a Hindu Malhotra family of Punjabi Khatri background. His father was Rai Naryen Das, who migrated from Rai Bareilly to Hyderabad State. His ancestors had served in the Mughal courts.

In Nizam Darbar He started his career as a subordinate in the customs department of Kingdom of Hyderabad. Later he received the title of Raja Bahadur from Nawab Sikandar Jah. Sikandar Jah selected him as accounts officer of his army. British historian states "Due to the lasting effect of Chundoo Lal the dominions of the Nizam seem to look like a Sikh one rather than a Mohhamedan." The Nihang forces refused to be paid and said they would only be paid by the Akal Takht. Later after the Anglo Sikh Wars Nihangs fled to the South, where they battled against revolt earning respect by many. It is even noted by historians that Nihangs were used as bodyguards. In 1819 Chandu Lal received the title of Maharaja from Sikandar Jah and a cash award of one crore rupees. In 1822 he was made the head of seven thousand horsemen with the title of Raja e Rajagan from Nawab Nasir ud dawlah. After the death of Monir-ul-Mulk in 1833, Chandu Lal succeeded him as a prime minister. The temple has been declared as an heritage structure.

Poet Chandu Lal (who used the pen name "Shaadan" (شاداں) as a learned man, was a patron of Urdu poetry and literature. His patronship attracted Urdu poets to his court. He even invited poets from Northern India like Zauq and Baksh Nasikh and Mirza Ghalib from Delhi to Hyderabad State but they couldn't turn up for some reasons. Despite the responsibility of his prime ministerial office he used to regularly organize and attend Mushaira.