Asaf Jah (? - 1748 A.D.) First Nizam of Hyderabad. In the reign of the Mogul Emperor Farrukh Siyar, he held the government of Moradabad and was afterwards appointed Governor of Malwa, which province he restored to a flourishing position. Tired of the intrigues at court, he resolved to seek an independent power in the Deccan. the disturbed state of that province gave him a pretence for raising troops, and turned his attention to the conquest of the Deccan.

He thenceforth conducted himself as an independent Prince, and governed the provinces of the Deccan foe thirty years with great ability and success. The present Nizams of Hyderabad are his descendants and successors.