The line of succession to the former throne of Hyderabad was by male primogeniture, regardless of legitimacy. As per Mughal Turkic custom, however, the ruling Nizam could exercise the option of designating any eligible male member of the dynasty as his successor. Currently, the primary line of descent is from the last ruling Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur, though there are numerous descendants in the male line from earlier Nizams.