Prince Turab Ali Khan, 1st Prince Salar Jung

Sir Mir Turab Ali Khan, Salar Jung I, (21 January 1829 – 8 February 1883), known simply as Salar Jung I, was an Indian nobleman who served as Prime Minister of Hyderabad State from 1853 until his death in 1883. He also served as regent for the sixth Nizam, Asaf Jah VI between 1869 and 1883.

His tenure is known for administrative reforms, which included a reorganization of the revenue and judicial systems, the division of Hyderabad State into districts, institution of a postal service, establishment of the first modern educational institutions, and construction of the first rail and telegraph networks. A small offshoot of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 took place in Hyderabad State during his tenure, and he was partly responsible for quelling it.

He was one of the five Prime Ministers from the Salar Jung family, one of the most prominent families of the state. His daughter Amat-uz-Zehra married Asaf Jah VI, and he was the maternal grandfather of the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan.

Vanity Fair caricature by Spy (Leslie Ward), c. 1876. The caption reads "An Indian Statesman"

Early life Khan was born in Bijapur in 1829. He was a descendant of a family which had held various appointments, first under the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur, then under the Mughal Empire, and lastly under the Nizams. His father was Muhammad Ali Khan, the eldest son of Mir Alam, and his mother was the daughter of Saiad Kazim Ali Khan. He was educated privately.

Career He was appointed the talukdar of Khammam in 1847. He held the position for 8 months.

Prime Minister of Hyderabad Salar Jung I (seated, third from left) with Asaf Jah VI (seated, center) and shams-ul-Umra II (seated, third from right), c. 1870s. He succeeded his uncle Siraj-ul-Mulk as the prime minister in 1853 at the age of 23. During this time, the administration of the Hyderabad State was infused with corruption, and there was no systematic form of government.

His early reforms included constitution of courts of justice at Hyderabad, organization of the police force, construction and reparation of irrigation works, and establishment of schools. In 1854, the first modern educational institution in Hyderabad was established by the name, Dar-ul-Ulum.

On the outbreak of the Indian rebellion of 1857, he supported the British, and although unable to hinder an attack on the British Residency, he warned the British minister that it was in contemplation. The attack was repulsed; the Hyderabad contingent remained loyal, and their loyalty served to ensure the tranquility of the region. Salar Jung took advantage of the preoccupation of the British government with the rebellion to push his reforms more boldly, and when the Calcutta authorities were again at liberty to consider the condition of affairs his work had been carried far towards completion.

In 1867, the State was divided into five Divisions (subahs) — namely Berar, Bidar, Bijapur, Aurangabad, and Hyderabad, and seventeen Districts, and subedars, or governors, were appointed for the five Divisions and talukdars and tehsildars for the districts.

The Salar Jung family had a history of collecting art, and eventually the collection of art from Salar Jung I, II and III all ended up in the Salar Jung Museum.

Personal life He had two sons and two daughters. His daughter Amat-uz-Zehra married Asaf Jah VI, and he was therefore the maternal grandfather of the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan.

Death and legacy He died of cholera at Hyderabad on 8 February 1883, and was buried at the Daira Mir Momin. A three-day mourning period was declared for all of Hyderabad State. His son Salar Jung II succeeded him as Prime Minister. His grandson enjoyed an estate of 1486 sq. miles, yielding an income of nearly £60,000.