Madan Mohan Malaviya and the Nizam

Madan Mohan Malaviya was trying to build a good university; he had to overcome many difficulties and barriers. He worked with great determination to start the university. There was a funds crisis; but he did not get disheartened. He went from town to town, met many rich people and traders to collect donations.

He went to the Nizam of Hyderabad to request him for funds. The Nizam was furious, 'How dare You come to me for funds and that too for a Hindu University? He roared with anger and took off his footwear and flung it at Malviya.

Malviya picked up the footwear and left silently. He came directly to the market place and began to auction the footwear. As it was the Nizam's footwear, many came forward to buy it. The price went up.

When Nizam heard of this, he became uneasy. He thought it would be an insult if his footwear were to be bought by someone for a pittance. So he sent one of his attendants with the instruction, 'Buy that footwear no matter what the bidding price be!'

Thus, Malviya managed to sell the Nizam's own footwear to him, for a huge amount.

He used that money to establish the Banaras Hindu University (BHU).