15*
the signs of the times, made it easier for Hyder-
abad to pass out of the old into the new order
without any apparent break with the traditions
of its ancient pre-eminence as a princely State
which still reflected the fading lustre of the Moghal
name. His family prestige as a great nobleman,
his wealth and magnificence to support his dignity
as regent during a long minority, his reverential
loyalty to his young Sovereign, the secret jealousy
of some of the higher nobility, the turbulence of
a heterogeneous armed population, the vigilance
of the British Representative, and his desire to
accommodate, in a reasonable manner, his states-
manship to the demands of the Supreme Govern-
ment while endeavouring to preserve the prestige
of his own State—all this must have made his
position extremely difficult. But his freedom
from self-interest, his sincerity, and loyalty to
the nobler principles of human conduct, and his
fixed resolve to be just and upright and beneficent
in all his dealings added strength to his inherent
ability to rule. And he never forgot that he was
ruling on behalf of his Sovereign as the chief
representative of his power. The talent and
capacity, and the loyalty and responsibility were
his own while the halo of outward magnificence
was his master's.
The Government of Sir Salar Jung the First
was strongly ^pejitralissd, the reins of all the
departments of administration being held in his
firm grasp. His secretaries had no powers vested
in them ; he decided every matter by his direct