"Your Excellency, the Foreign Minister, is it true that your nation has agreed to grant us those territories?" Mir Osman Ali Khan struggled to maintain his composure, but the excitement surging within him was impossible to suppress. It felt as though a massive pie had fallen from the sky and struck him, leaving him so overwhelmed he was on the verge of fainting.
Initially, Mir Osman Ali Khan's secret visit to Germany had only one objective: to ensure that the interests of the princely states would remain intact even after Germany took control of the entire Indian subcontinent. To achieve this, they were prepared to pledge allegiance to Germany. Mir Osman Ali Khan had even anticipated that securing this goal would require significant concessions, given that they had previously been loyal to the British—Germany's sworn enemy. With Germany now victorious, it seemed inevitable that those who had sided with Britain would face retribution.
Yet, to his astonishment, the Germans proved unexpectedly agreeable. They promptly accepted their request, guaranteeing the protection of the princely states' interests. This generosity left Mir Osman Ali Khan wondering if it was all too good to be true. Were it not for Germany's decisive advantage and impending triumph in the Indian theater, he would have suspected some kind of conspiracy.
What shocked him even more was Germany's proposed resolution for India—redistributing fertile territories among the princely states. These lands included the lush plains of the Ganges River and strategic coastal regions, far more prosperous than the territories most princely states currently controlled.
Take Hyderabad, for instance. Though vast in size and heavily populated, it lay predominantly on the Deccan Plateau. Compared to the fertile lands of the Ganges plain, its agricultural potential was negligible. Had Hyderabad been situated in the Ganges basin, its population would easily have been double what it was now.
If Germany's offer to allocate such fertile lands were realized, Hyderabad would see a dramatic surge in both strength and wealth. This prospect was nothing short of a dream for Mir Osman Ali Khan—an unthinkable proposition under British colonial rule.
"Of course, Your Highness, everything I've said is true. These are the wishes of His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor. His Majesty holds the princely states in the highest regard. Your families have ruled India for generations. You are, in truth, the country's true elite. Had it not been for Britain's forceful domination, India under your leadership would never have fallen into its current state. We firmly believe that with your governance, India will prosper as never before," Wahid assured him.
These words filled Mir Osman Ali Khan with profound satisfaction. Indeed, as the largest princely state in India, Hyderabad's rulers were no fools. Neither Mir Osman Ali Khan nor his forebears had pursued hedonism out of choice; the overpowering strength of their adversaries left them no other path. Any alternative would have cost them their lives. The British, while tolerating passive rulers, had relentlessly suppressed those with ambition or vision. This systemic oppression had rendered many princely states impotent.
"Your Excellency, the past was a result of British coercion. We never wished to live that way. I vow that from this moment onward, Hyderabad will pledge unwavering loyalty to the German Empire. We shall never betray this allegiance. I am certain that other princely states will follow Hyderabad's lead," Mir Osman Ali Khan declared.
Considering Germany's substantial offerings, allegiance was but a natural response. With Germany poised to conquer all of India, aligning with its might was the only logical choice to avoid annihilation. Moreover, the Germans' magnanimity in granting such rewards, coupled with their status as the world's preeminent power, made this alliance unequivocally beneficial.
This visit to Germany had yielded results so extraordinary that Mir Osman Ali Khan found them almost beyond belief.
"That is most excellent news. The German Empire desires the allegiance of all India's princely states. As for the territorial allocations, they will effectively double the current lands of each state. Of course, the specifics will require further negotiation," Wahid explained.
Mir Osman Ali Khan's breath quickened. Doubling his territory? Such an opportunity was unprecedented. Securing a piece of the fertile Ganges plain would exponentially amplify Hyderabad's strength.
Yet Wahid's underlying message was clear. While Germany's policy for India had been determined, the precise distribution of land was yet undecided. This left room for maneuvering. Fertile plains and barren highlands were worlds apart in value. For instance, Hyderabad and Kashmir might cover similar areas, but Hyderabad's population far exceeded that of Kashmir.
Wahid, observing Mir Osman Ali Khan's expression, understood his thoughts instantly. Personal ambition was inevitable, and Germany intended to exploit this desire for its own gain. By leveraging the self-interest of the princely states, the German Empire could secure even greater benefits for itself.
"The final allocation plan will only be determined after Germany completes its conquest of India. At that time, the Empire will invite all the princely rulers to jointly discuss India's future. Naturally, the war in India has cost the Empire immense resources. It is only reasonable for the princely states to shoulder a portion of these expenses. This will be directly linked to the allocation process," Wahid said with a smile.
Mir Osman Ali Khan immediately understood—securing prime territories would come at a price. The more one contributed, the better the land they would receive. Clearly, the Germans intended to use this opportunity to extract significant wealth from the affluent princely states.