Page:Twelve men of Bengal in the nineteenth century (1910).djvu/278

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
246
TWELVE MEN OF BENGAL

than that which fell to the lot of most young Indian noblemen of his day. He was reported most favourably upon by Colonel Herbert, who, during his long association with him, had every opportunity of fully guaging his character. He showed himself to be amiable, steady and extremely anxious to learn. He displayed under unusual circumstances that might have turned the head of any less well balanced youth, much strength of character, a high moral tone and great honesty of purpose.

In the long and unfortunate disputes in which his father was involved he was keenly interested, and it was a great relief to him when they were finally settled. On November the 1st, 1880, the Nawab Nazim, by an Indenture signed by himself and the Secretary of State, voluntarily resigned his styles and titles in favour of the Crown, his eldest son being subsequently granted the hereditary rank of Nawab Bahadur. Four years later the last Nawab Nazim died, and Syed Hassan Ali succeeded as the head of the family. In 1887, the year of the Queen's Jubilee, he was created a Knight Commander of the Indian Empire, the assumption of the titles of Intisham-ul-Mulk, Rais-ud-Dowlah, Amir-ul-Omra and Mahabat Jung being at the same time officially recognised. A year later the higher dignity of a Grand Commander of the Indian Empire was conferred upon him. In 1891 a further agreement was entered upon between the Nawab Bahadur and the Secretary of State whereby the former confirmed the agreement entered upon by his father in