HYDERABAD (5th Largest City in India), the capital city of Andhra Pradesh State (3rd Largest State in India). Population of more than 50 Lacs & Agglomerated area 727 sq. kms on the Deccan Plateau.

Location: 17o E 22’ N Latitude & 78 o 27’ Longitude

Ruled by the Qutub Shahis, the city has a history of nearly 400 years. The capital Bhagyanagar was named after a royal beloved Bhagyamati, who later as the wife of Quli Qutub Shah became Hyder Mahal and thus was born Hyderabad.

Hyderabad was founded on the River Musi five miles east of Golconda, the capital of the Qutub Shahi rulers in 1591-92 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah.

The Qutb Shahi dynasty founded the Kingdom of Golconda, one of the five kingdoms that emerged after the break up of the Bahamani Kingdom. The Qutb Shahis ruled the Deccan for almost 171 years. All the seven rulers were patrons of learning and were great builders. They contributed to the growth and development of Indo-Persian and Indo-Islamic literature and culture in Hyderabad. During the Qutb Shahi reign Golconda became one of the leading markets in the world of diamonds, pearls, steel for arms and also printed fabric.

The glory of the Golconda kingdom ended in 1687, when Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal ruler, captured Golconda from Abul Hasan Tana Shah, the last king of Golconda. With the conquest of the Deccan and the South, Aurangzeb succeeded in expanding the Mughal Empire to cover the entire sub-continent. However, after his death in 1707, the Empire rapidly declined.

At that time, Mir Quamaruddin, the Governor of the Deccan, who bore the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk Feroze Jung Asif Jah, declared his independence from Mughal rule in 1724. He thus became the first Nizam and the founder of the Asif Jahi dynasty.

In 1769, Nizam Ali Khan Asif Jah II, shifted the capital from Aurangabad (The capital founded by Mughal rulers) to Hyderabad. The seven Nizam’s of the Asif Jahi dynasty ruled the Deccan for nearly 224 years, right up to 1948. During the Asif Jahi period, Persian, Urdu, Telugu and Marathi developed simultaneously. Persian was the official language up to 1893 and then Urdu up to 1948.

When the British and the French spread their hold over the country, the Nizam soon won their friendship without bequeathing his power. The title “Faithfull, Ally of the British Government” was bestowed on Nizam VIL.

The rule of the seven Nizam’s saw the growth of Hyderabad both culturally and economically. Hyderabad, under the Nizam’s, was the largest princely state in India.

 

Soon after India gained independence, Hyderabad State merged with the Union of India. On November 1, 1956 the map of India was redrawn into linguistic states, and Hyderabad became the capital of Andhra Pradesh.

The official language of Hyderabad is Telugu but there are various other regional languages spoken by the people of the state of Andhra Pradesh. English is used for official and commercial purposes. Most people on the streets understand and converse in English. The other languages popular here in Hyderabad are Urdu and Hindi. 

India has a single time zone. It is 5.5 hours ahead of the GMT, 4.5 hours behind the Australian Eastern Standard time and 11.5 hours ahead of American Eastern Standard Time (winter).

Weather in Hyderabad is very pleasant. Temperature in Hyderabad ranges from 11°C to 42°C.

The capital city of Hyderabad is well connected to most major Indian cities and some overseas. Secunderabad main station is well connected to all cities of the country.

Hyderabad is well connected to national and international destinations with both national and international air carriers. Needless to say you can reach anywhere from Hyderabad in no time. Hyderabad is centrally located and exudes a huge potential to be transformed into a transit hub of South Asia

Being the head quarter of South Central Railway, Hyderabad is well connected from all major cities of India. There are railway stations at Hyderabad (Nampally) and Kachiguda also. Trains leaving from these two stations can be boarded at Secunderabad railway station.

Hyderbad, being Capital city is well connected by Road from all major cities in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Maharastra and Orissa.

Hyderabad has several lakes, monuments, places of religious significance and parks to interest the tourist. The most famous of all its lakes is Hussain Sagar, or Tank Bund. Constructed in 1562, it is a man-made lake that separates the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Hussain Sagar is also famous for the 56-ft high statue of the Buddha in the middle of the lake. The lake is situated off Mahatma Gandhi Road, a 3-km stretch which is the city's most popular promenade as it is lined with statues of eminent figures from Andhra Pradesh's history. Some of the other lakes to visit include Lotus Pond, Osman Sagar, Himayat Sagar, Durgam Cheruvu, and Shamirpet, 24km north of Secunderabad, and which also has a deer park.

Of its many parks, visit Indira Park, a sprawling area located near Hussain Sagar. It has an attractive pond that can be used for boating. The Nehru Zoological Park is one of the largest zoos in Asia. It has more than 250 animal species living in it, along with other attractions such as the lion safari park, natural history museum, pre-historical animals park, nocturnal bird park and a children's park that has train rides. The Public Gardens (earlier known as Bagh-e-aam) is the largest garden in Hyderabad and can claim to be one of the best laid-out gardens in the country. Within its premises are a number of important public buildings, including the State Legislative Assembly, State Archaeological Museum, Jubilee Hall, Jawahar Bal Bhavan and the Telugu Lalita Kala Thoranam, an open air theatre.

Hyderabad is so full of monuments that it nearly never disappoints the history addict. The one and only place to start off your tour is at the Charminar (which means 'Four Minarets'), Hyderabad's major landmark and the monument most associated with the city. In the heart of the Old City, it is a majestic structure with four graceful minarets, soaring to 177ft. It was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 to commemorate the eradication of the plague from Hyderabad.

Built by Nawab Viqar al-Umra in 1872, the Falaknuma Palace is located 5km from the Charminar on top of a hill. It is the most opulent of the Nizams' many palaces. One look at the imported Italian marble, French tapestries and furniture, and the stunning tooled leather ceiling done by Florentine sculptors, and it is obvious that a large sum was lavished on the interiors. Purani Haveli was the first residence of the sixth Nizam, Mahbub Ali Pasha, and it was built in the mid-19th century. A sprawling complex, the highlight of this palace is the Nizam's gigantic wooden wardrobe, which was a 73-sq m room with closets on two levels and a mechanical elevator to provide access to the upper tier. The palace also houses the Nizam's Museum, where one can see the Nizams' legendary wealth in its various displays and photographs.

Capital of the Qutb Shahi dynasty before Hyderabad, Golconda is situated 11km west of Hyderabad. Golconda means 'Shepherd's Hill' and its major attraction is the Golconda Fort, a splendid complex with grand palaces, mosques and gardens. Within the fort, sites include Fateh Darwaza, Archaeological Museum, Habshi Kaman Gate, Jami Masjid, Bala Hisar Gate and Complex, Hathion ka Jhaad, Rani Mahal and the ancient Mahakali Temple.

Some of the other popular attractions include Chowmahalla Palace, built by Nizam Salabat Jung in 1750; the Salar Jung Museum, which houses the fascinating individual collection (of nearly 40,000 artifacts) of Salar Jung III, who served as prime minister from 1899 to 1949; the Qutb Shahi Tombs, the final resting place of seven of the nine Qutb Shahis, near Golconda; the Paigah Tombs of nobles who were related to the Nizams through blood and marriage; the Residency, an elegant mansion built in 1805 by the third Nizam as a gift for the British Resident, James Kirkpatrick, and which is now the University College for Women; the Mecca Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India; the Birla Mandir, which is located on top of a hill overlooking the city; Chilkur Balaji, a temple 20km from the city dedicated to Sri Venkateshwara; and the Sanghi Temple, also dedicated to Sri Venkateshwara.

Head to the Birla Archaeological Museum, which is located in Asmangarh Palace, the 19th-century hunting lodge of the sixth Nizam. Its exhibits include some beautiful bronzes of Shiv and Vishnu. The State Archaeological Museum houses an Egyptian mummy, besides a large collection of antiques and objects d'art, such as Buddhist art, and some exquisite Chola bronzes and Roman coins. Its many galleries include the Buddhist gallery, Brahmanical and Jain gallery, Bronze gallery, Arms and Armour gallery, Numismatics gallery and the Ajanta gallery, among others. Built in 1920, the museum building itself is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. Close by is situated the Contemporary Art Museum, a must for art lovers. The Shilparamam, an arts and crafts village, is situated at Madhapur, a 30-acre village just beyond the city's Jubilee Hills. It holds annual fairs which see participation from artisans from all over the country.

For activities for children visit the Birla Planetarium, India's most modern planetarium, equipped with advanced technology from Japan. The Birla Science Museum is also on the same premises. For a more rollicking time, head out to Ocean Park, 15km from the city at Gandipet. Spread over 20 acres of landscaped gardens, the park has amusement rides, water rides and a multi-cuisine restaurant. Close to Indira Park is Snow World, the world's biggest and India's first snow theme park. Visitors can literally chill out at -5°C on its attractions, which include the snow slide, ice bumper car and all-time show-stopper, the merry-go-round. Or witness some real, manufactured snow fall, another first for the park.