Mir Osman Ali Khan, who was the last Nizam of Hyderabad was the richest person in the world in 1940 with a wealth of 2 billion dollars. This was equivalent to 2% of total US economy at that time.
He established Hyderabad Bank in 1941 and introduced his own currency called Osmania Sikka.
He ordered a 200mn dollar ostrich egg shaped diamond which he used as paper weight.
Despite his riches, he was very frugal. Some facts suggest he used to knit his own socks, would borrow cigarettes from guests and wore same patched clothes for months.
What a Nizam!!
