in a period of political unrest as his sons, backed by opportunistic neighbouring states and colonial foreign forces, contended for the throne. The accession of Asif Jah II, who reigned from 1762 to 1803, ended the instability. In 1768 he signed the Treaty of Machilipatnam, surrendering the coastal region to the East India Company in return for a fixed annual rent. In 1769 Hyderabad city became the formal capital of the Nizams. In response to regular threats from Hyder Ali (Dalwai of Mysore), Baji Rao I (Peshwa of the Maratha Empire), and Basalath Jung (Asaf Jah II's elder brother, who was supported by the Marquis de Bussy-Castelnau), the Nizam signed a subsidiary alliance with the East India Company in 1798, allowing the British Indian Army to occupy Bolarum (modern Secunderabad) to protect the state's capital, for which the Nizams paid an annual maintenance to the British. When the British and the French spread their hold over the country, successive Nizams won their friendship without bequeathing their power. The Nizams allied themselves with each side at different times, playing a significant role in the Anglo-Mysore Wars. As an offshoot of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Maulvi Allauddin and Turrebaz Khan led attacks on the British Residency. The Great Musi flood of 1908 ravaged the city of Hyderabad and resulted in the death of at least 15,000 people. Last Nizam In 1911, Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh and last Nizam of Hyderabad succeeded his father. He was widely known for his wealth and considered one of the wealthiest men of all time. The development of early modern Hyderabad took place during his reign. Being a secular ruler, he is known for his donations and yearly grants towards various Hindu temples like Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Yadadri. He also donated a grant of 1 Lakh Hyderabadi Rupees towards the reconstruction of Thousand Pillar Temple. He also donated money and yearly grants for research work for 11 years for the compilation of the Hindu holy book "Mahabharata" at Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune. Telangana Rebellion In late 1945, there started a peasant uprising in Telangana area, led by the Comrades Association (representing Communist Party of India) also known as The Telangana Rebellion or Vetti Chakiri Udyamam or Telangana Raithanga Sayudha Poratam. The communists drew their support from various quarters. Among the poor peasants, there were grievances against the jagirdari system, which