Ali Nawaz Jung Bahadur’s Birthday 11-July Observed as Telangana Engineer’s Day

Mir Ahmed Ali, Nawab Ali Nawaz Jung Bahadur (born 11 July 1877) was chief engineer during the rule of Nizam of Hyderabad. He was responsible for major irrigation works, buildings, and bridges in Hyderabad State such as Osman Sagar, Nizam Sagar Himayat Sagar, and Ali Sagar reservoir of Nizamabad district, also named after him. He served as chairman of the National Planning Committee on River Training and Irrigation. Since 2014, the Government of Telangana announced that his birthday 11 July will be observed as Telangana Engineer’s Day.

Early Life and Education

Mir Ahmed Ali, also known as Nawab Ali Nawaz Jung, was born on July 11, 1877. He was a prominent engineer during the Nizam of Hyderabad’s rule. His notable contributions include significant irrigation works and the construction of major buildings and bridges in the Hyderabad State. Projects like Osman Sagar, Nizam Sagar, Himayat Sagar, and the Ali Sagar reservoir in the Nizamabad district are attributed to his efforts. He also served as the chairman of the National Planning Committee on River Training and Irrigation. In recognition of his contributions, the Government of Telangana has observed his birthday, July 11, as Telangana Engineer’s Day since 2014.

Personal Life and Career

Ali Nawaz Jung Bahadur was the son of Mir Waiz Ali, who served as the Assistant Secretary of Daftar-e-Mulki. He received his early education at St. George’s Grammar School and Madrasa-i-Aliya, followed by Nizam College in Hyderabad. In 1896, he earned a state scholarship to study at Cooper’s Hill College in England, where he excelled and received multiple scholarships in various branches of engineering.

Upon returning to Hyderabad in 1899, he joined the Public Works Department (PWD) as an assistant engineer. By 1913, he was appointed secretary to the Government PWD and Telephones Department. In 1918, he ascended to the position of chief engineer and secretary. His expertise was further recognized in 1929 when the Bombay Government invited him to collaborate with Sir M. Visvesvaraya on the Sukkur Barrage project, for which his contributions were highly valued.

During his tenure as chief engineer, Nawab Saheb oversaw the conception, initiation, and execution of large-scale irrigation projects. He was instrumental in the construction of several major buildings and bridges, including those over the Godavari and Manjira rivers. His efforts also extended to the expansion of telephone services to various districts. Significant projects under his supervision included the Wyra, Paler, and Fateh Nahar irrigation projects, and notably, the design and construction of the Nizamsagar dam.

One of his distinguished projects was the Hyderabad House in Delhi, constructed under his guidance. He also played a critical role in resolving water allocation disputes between the Madras and Hyderabad governments regarding the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers. His adept handling of the negotiations in 1930 led to the Madras Government conceding the right for the Nizam Government to utilize 50% of the river waters.

Ali Nawaz Jung Bahadur is celebrated as one of Hyderabad’s most brilliant engineers, with the Ali Sagar in Nizamabad named in his honor.

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