In 1892, Pershad was appointed peshkar of Hyderabad, and dewan in 1902. During this ten-year period he played an insignificant role in the administration of the state. He became the military minister in the nizam‘s cabinet. He also fulfilled his responsibilities as a peshkar, which included him constantly attending to the Nizam to help him complete the formalities of state.
During Pershad’s first tenure as the dewan of Hyderabad, the state’s cash reserves quadrupled. Although British historians credit the finance minister Casson Walker, a Briton, for this achievement, Hyderabadi tradition gives credit to Pershad. He also maintained a friendly relationship with the British resident. After Nizam Mahbub Ali Khan’s death in 1911, Osman Ali Khan ascended the throne. Under his reign, Pershad found it difficult to continue as the dewan and resigned in 1912.
In 1901, the Nizam appointed Pershad as dewan of Hyderabad and dismissed Viqar-ul-Umra. He was also conferred with the title “Yamin us Saltanat” (English: right hand of the realm) and his status was raised from that of a raja to a maharaja. In an attempt to improve the economic conditions of the state, he decreased the mansabdars‘ (landowners) income. He also increased revenues from agriculture, railways, and customs. In 1908, a flood occurred in the state when the Musi River overflowed killing people and destroying property. In response, Pershad arranged for aid and made a personal donation to the victims. He paid salaries in advance and waived debts.
In November 1926, he was reappointed to that position and continued until March 1937. During his second tenure, friction occurred between Pershad and Walker over political appointments. While Walker was in favour of appointing Britons to administrative positions, Pershad was in favour of appointing Mulkies (local citizens). Panic spread amongst the locals because of Walker’s preference. They thought that no post, of even moderate or lesser importance, would be available to them. The clash between Pershad and Walker over this matter was continuous and all government departments were affected by it. Pershad passed the Mulki regulations according to which an “outsider” could not be appointed to any position if a suitably-qualified Mulki was available for the job; their educational qualifications were to be given more weight than their family background and retirement was fixed at fifty-five years of age.