People all over the world have a great fascination for the richest people in their countries. It is a wonder that these people have achieved monetary success despite several odds - competition, ever-rising inflation, changing technology, changing geo-political situation, carping criticisms, etc. It is commonsense that they have achieved this feat over a long period of time. Among the rich, there are cases of rags to riches across the globe. Equally are the cases of affluent people born with a silver spoon in their mouth. A word of appreciation goes to such born-rich people, With exceptions many of them sustain their affluence without being lavish in their spending. All these show one thing: you can't enjoy the fruits of your hard labor overnight. Perseverance, dedication, correct planning, right move and above all just elements of luck are behind their achievements. Some people are endowed with riches and some people acquire them through hard work and good financial management. Below you fill find a note on the The Nizam of Hyderabad (India), one of the richest men in the 1930s and 1940s across the globe. It is said that once he wanted to buy Goa from the Portuguese.
The following are the ten all time richest people in the world covering various centuries:
01. Mansa Musa: He was an African king, His land produced half of world's gold and salt. Estimated Peak Wealth: $400 billion ; Lived: 1280 to 133702
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02. John D. Rockefeller: Main business was oil and gas. Owned Standard Oil Company. First American to become a billionaire in 1916. Estimated Peak Wealth: $336 to $340 billion; Lived: 1839 to 1937;
03. Andrew Carnegie: Made money in steel business, owned steel factories in the US. He was Scottish American. Estimated Peak Wealth: $309 to $310 billion Lived: 1835 to 1919.
04. Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov: a.k.a. Tsar NicholasII , emperor of Russia, King of Poland and Finland: Estimated Peak Wealth: $290 to $300 billion, Lived: 1868 to 1918.
05. Mir-Osman-Ali-Khan: Estimated Peak Wealth: $225 to $230 billion, Lived: 1886 to 1957 (see details below)
06. William the Conqueror: Conquered England and confiscated the estates of English nobles and their heirs. Estimated Peak Wealth: $210 to $230 billion, Lived: 1028 to 1087
07. Muammar Gaddafi: From 1969 till his death in 2011 he was a dictator of oil rich Libya; led a flamboyant life. Estimated Peak Wealth: $200 billion, Lived: 1942 to 2011
08. Henry Ford: Introduced assembly line that paved the way for mass production of automobiles. A house-hold name world over. Estimated Peak Wealth: $188 to $199 billion; Lived: 1863 to 1947
09. Cornelius Vanderbilt: Made vast money in railroad business. Estimated Peak Wealth: $170 to $185 billion, Lived: 1794 to 1877
10. Alan Rufus: Cousin of first Norman king of England; owned 400 sq. mile estate covering present London, Suffolk, Norfolk, etc. Estimated Peak Wealth: $149 to $178 billion; Lived: 1040 to 1093.
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The Nizam of Hyderabad: The story of the 7th Nizam is an interesting one. It is a dreamy tale of opulence and extravaganza. He was the head of the princely State of Hyderabad, Deccan is one of the 10 all time richest men in the world. In 1937 his image appeared on the ''Time Mangazine'' as he happened to be the richest man then,
Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII, the last Nizam, or leader, headed the Princely state from 1911 until 1948 when Hyderabad became part of the Indian Union. Even after his land came under the control of India, Osman Ali remained the richest individual in South Asia until he died in 1967. His vast coffers were said to contain $500 million worth of gold, silver, and jewels. This collection included a rare Jacob diamond, valued at approximately $95 million in 2008, which was used by the Nizam as a paperweight. The Nizam is also said to have owned a total of 50 Rolls-Royces besides other expensive cars. He did not use RR cars that much and would prefer less expensive cars for travel. It is said, despite his being rich, he was frugal and would calculate every penny and shilling going out of his pocket. Osman Ali obtained most of his wealth through mining royalties in the 19th century, Hyderabad was the only supplier of diamonds to the global market in those days. The famous ''the Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace'' consisting of fine diamonds was a wedding gift from the Nizam to Queen Elizabeth. As it was a common practise among the Muslim rulers and to some extent among Indian Maharajahs, Osman Ali had seven wives and countless concubines. Some people say it was just 42 and 34 legitimate children. He was known to have the best collection of diamonds, precious stones and pearls in the world. His collection was so huge that it could fill up three huge swimming pools!!
The Nizam owned numerous architecturally rich buildings in Hyderabad. After partition, a section of people in his administration wanted Nizam to make his land part of Pakistan. This attempt was stopped in the initial stage itself and the credit goes to Sardar Patel, a great freedom fighter. He wanted the Nizam to become part of the Indian Union as geographically it was advantageous for him. Had Nizam Osman Ali made Hyderabad state a part of Pakistan, he would have been in serious trouble. The land being in the middle of the Indian subcontinent, he would have not only lost his land, but also his wealth and stature.
In the colonial days, on a visit to London, while going for a stroll, Nizam Mukarram Jah saw a Rolls Royce showroom. In a jiffy, he decided to make an enquiry about the latest models. The sales men, mistaking the unassuming, ordinarily dressed Nizam, for a poor soul from India, asked him to get out of the showroom. This story, according to many historians, is a cooked up one. Any way, please read further: https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2015/05/rolls-royce-car-companys-poor-treatment.html
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