Trivia Time: How A ‘Kulcha’ Found Its Way On The Official Flag of Nizams

Does it ever happen to you, that the moment you think of Hyderabad, you instantly start craving Hyderabadi Biryani? Well then obviously you are not alone. Countless people across home and abroad are aware of this decadent preparation. Hyderabadi Biryani may be one of the more popular dishes of the Hyderabadi cuisine, but it was the humble ‘kulcha’ that made its way to the flag of the Nizams. You must be aware that Hyderabad never fell under the British rule, the Nizams ruled Hyderabad for over two centuries until India got independence, post which the princely state acceded to the Indian union. The Nizams heavily influenced the culinary culture of Hyderabad, all the biryanis, meaty curries, kebabs and kormas that you experience in Hyderabad are distinct in their own way, that is because the Nizams took their food very seriously. Even if it meant giving a certain food its own dedicated spot on the official flag of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.  

Legend has it, that once after being appointed as Subedar-e-Dakhan' or Governor of Deccan, Mir Qamruddin went to meet his Pir or spiritual advisor. The old Mughal courtier was served a stack of Kulchas on a yellow cloth by his Pir, who asked him to eat as many Kulchas as he can. After eating seven Kulchas, Mir Qamruddin declared he was full. “When the Nizam could consume no more than seven, the pir blessed him and prophesied that his heirs would rule for seven generations”, notes the book “History of Indian Food” written by Dr. Anshumali Pandey.

It is said, that as a mark of respect to the Sufi saint, Asaf Jahi Dynasty’s official flag was yellow in colour (like the cloth on which he was served the kulchas) and had a big white circle in the centre, which was actually symbolic of the Kulchas that the first Nizam ate.  

Many historians, of course, contest the legitimacy of the legend, stating that the circle in the centre actually represents full moon.