Swami Vivekananda’s visit to (Hyderabad)Mehmoob College, Secunderabad in 1893

The present generation may not know that Swami Vivekananda visited Hyderabad city on February 13, 1893 before leaving for Chicago to address the parliament of religions on 11 September 1893. The fact of Vivekananda’s stay in Hyderabad city of Nizam’s dominion and his various engagements is not familiar to many. In the Nizam’s monarchical Govt a number of brilliant Hindus fromBengal were employed in important posts. One among them was Babu Madhusudhan Chattteree. He was the MINT MASTER of Nizam’s mint for Osmania sicca. Nizam state had its own currency both in coins and notes of Rs one to100/-The Osmania sicca bore the figure of the Nizam. The value of Osmania currency used to be Rs 116/-equal to Rs100/- of Indian Govt currency. This Bengali Mint master Chatterjee was a learned man and was close to Nizam. At his instance, Swamiji visited Hyderabad and stayed with him. When Swamiji arrived Hyderabad on February 10, 1893, by train, about 500 prominent people at the Railway station drawn from all communities, and all strata of society, including powerful Nobles, Nawabs, received him. Nawab Sikandar Jung a prominent noble profusely garlanded him. Next day the people of Secunderabad greeted Swamiji with floral and fruit offering, the city bore a festive look. Swamiji addressed a public meeting at famous Mehaboob College. In his eloquent speech, he not only spoke on Hinduism but also Islam, and Christianity giving an excellent exposition of their tenets. Maharaja Sir Kishan Prasad then Prime Minister of Nizam followed by a large number of Muslim Nawabs offerd to meet all his travel expenses for his historic trip to USA but Swamiji politely declined. Swamiji greatly appreciated the generous offer of Muslim gentry. Swami Vivekananda visited Mecca Masjid, Charminar, falaknuma palace, historic Golconda fort, Salarjung palace, and the tomb of Baba Sharfuddin and Hindu temples. All sections of society gave him rousing reception at all these places, a unique event in the history of Nizam state ruled by a Muslim monarch. Swamiji’s visit to Hyderabad and addressing public meeting assumed significant importance in as much as he was appearing for the first time at a public platform when his oratorical powers came to the fore. His superb command of the English language and mastery grasp of the subject brought standing applause from people of all religions. Next day Swami Vivekananda left for Madras leaving a great impression on the people who saw him, met him, and heard him. This visit to Hyderabad has gone deep in to the annals of History of India being first public meeting by Swamiji.

Source: http://raghavagongidi.sulekha.com/blog/post/2010/07/historic-visit-of-swamivi-vekananda-to-hyderabad.htm