The Paigah (c.1760 CE - 1948 CE) were the premier nobility of the Hyderabad State, a powerful coalition of families that formed a "state within a state." Second only to the Nizams themselves in power and prestige, they were the kingdom's kingmakers, military commanders, and chief administrators. The name "Paigah" (from the Persian Pāygāh meaning "stable" or "foundation") symbolized their role as the foundational pillar of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. Founded by Shams-ul-Umra I (Abul Fateh Khan Tegh Jung), the Paigahs became semi-autonomous jagirdars who maintained private armies, administered large estates around Hyderabad, intermarried with the Nizam’s family, and left a rich architectural and cultural legacy across Telangana. 1. Origins and rise The Paigah's ascendancy began with Nawab Abul Fateh Khan Taig Jung (c. 1748-1822), a distinguished nobleman of Turkic ancestry in the Mughal court. His fortunes were irrevocably tied to the Asaf Jahi...
Telangana History, Culture and Travel