How did Telangana get back land worth more than ₹55,000 crores?

One of the Paigah Palaces in the Rasoolpura area of Hyderabad which formed part of the estates of the three Paigahs at the time of Indian independence. | Photo credit: Serish Nanisetti

Story So Far: The Supreme Court of India ruled in favor of the Telangana government on 29 October 2026, giving it control over land spread over 550 acres and 39 guntas in Miyapur village, Serilingampally Mandal, Ranga Reddy District. The ruling brings to a close a 32-year legal battle and settles a 114-year-old saga of a royal gift, medieval warfare, legal scrutiny and dubious paperwork.

Hyderabad was ruled by the Nizams, who were subedars of the Deccan province of the Mughal Empire between 1724 and 1948. The first Nizam, Asaf Jah, known as Nizam-ul-Mulk, had a close aide, Abu’l Khair Khan. One of Abu’l Khair Khan’s sons, Abu’l Fateh Khan, was given jagirs by Nizam Ali Khan to maintain a praetorian guard or household troops to be at his command.

Published – November 7, 2026 12:39 PM IST