The capital of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad is an important centre for Islamic culture. It consists of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and is a bustling 400-year-old metropolis with an urban population of 6 million people approximately. Hyderabad is famous as the former seat of the fabulously wealthy Nizams of Hyderabad. Built on the banks of the river Musi, and surrounded by huge prehistoric rock formations like petrified, gray elephants, Hyderabad is a blend of the fairy tale and earthy, a pot pourri of old and new.
The princely state of Hyderabad, which occupied the greater part of the Deccan, was by far the largest of India's princely states. In 1956 the state of Hyderabad was divided between Maharashtra, Mysore, and Andhra Pradesh. City is well known for its crowded bazaars, surrounded by huge and impressive Islamic monuments. The extensive ruins of Qutab Shahi tombs and its nearby tombs are a major attraction. Charminar, the huge triumphal arc, is one of the most famous landmark of the city. Next to Charminar lies the Mecca Masjid, one of the world's largest mosque.
Hyderabad is the fifth largest cosmopolitan city in India, rich in culture, enduring history and industrial growth. It is unique in being one of the few cities where tradition and technology co-exist. With a dynamic leadership, the state is steering the nation to new dimensions in the fields of Information Technology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, and Business Management to emerge as a city of immense business opportunities.
Hyderabad - an important centre of Islamic culture, was the seat of the legendary Nizams of Hyderabad, rulers of one of the largest native states in India. Sightseeing tour commences with a visit to High Court, built in solid pink granite. It is a very impressive building in Mughal - Saracenic style, enriched with panels of bas-relief decoration carved in red Hyderabad sandstone. Visit the Char Minar or 4 towers, which are 186 feet high and 100 feet wide on each frontage. It is a masterpiece of the Qutab Shai dynasty and was intended to mark the centre of the city. Immediately Southwest of the Char Minar is the Mecca Masjid. Built in local granite, it is one of the largest mosques in India. Each column is carved out from a single stone. The small red stones in the central arch are made of earth from Mecca. Also, drive past the Osmania General Hospital, a spectacular range of stone buildings dressed with chunam and designed by Vincent Esch in Indo-Saracenic style. State Central Library has an outstanding collection of Islamic manuscript. Also visit the Public gardens, Archaeological Museum and Gandhi Bhawan.
Getting There :
Air :
Hyderabad has its own airport, so travelling air to Hyderabad is not a problem.
Rail :
The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderbad are connected to all the major cities of India.
Road :
Hyderabad lies on National Highway No. 7 and 9, hence is connected by the rest of the country.
Tourists Attractions :
Char Minar
The principle landmark of Hyderabad is the Charminar (four towers), the massive arch built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in 1591 to commemorate the end of a devastating epidemic of the plague. There is a small mosque on the second floor, which is the oldest in Hyderabad. In the south-east corner is a small Hindu shrine honoring Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. Each evening, the arch is illuminated and is a sight worth seeing.
Salar Jung Museum :
One of Hyderabad's prime attractions is the Salar Jung Museum, the world's largest collection by a single individual, Sir Yusaf Ali Salar Jung III. The 36 rooms, house around 35,000 exhibits from all over the world including sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, unusual collections of jade, marble statues, rare manuscripts, Persian miniature paintings, Chinese porcelain and other objects d'art. The collected items in the museum could be far better classified because a lot of the really good pieces of art need to be hunted for. Whatever the inevitable drawbacks of a one man collection, a must visit. The museum is closed Fridays.
Mecca Masjid :
One of the largest mosques in the world, the Mecca Masjid is said to accommodate upto 10,000 worshippers. The foundation of the mosque was laid during the reign of Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in 1614, but was completed only in 1687, when the Golconda Kingdom was annexed by Emperor Aurangzeb.
Birla Mandir :
You can visit this modern enchanting temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara on your tour to Hyderabad. The Birla Mandir stands in all its grandeur on the hilltop of Kalapahad. The intricately carved, tiered tower at the base is typical of the southern Indian shrines while the smooth dome at the top is in the north Indian Rajasthani style. Made of pure white marble from Rajasthan, the Birla Mandir overlooks the serene and placid waters of the Hussain Sagar Lake. The Birla Mandir presents a colorful spectacular sight when illuminated at night.
Gandipet :
Gandipet, located at a distance of about 20 kms west on your tour to Hyderabad city. Mir Osman Ali Khan formed this water body as a result of damming of the river Moosi in 1920. Anyone visiting Gandipet is pleased to see a vast stretch of placid water that shimmer like gold with the rays of the morning sun.
