Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh in Southern India, located on the banks of the Musi River and on the Deccan Plateau. Hyderabad and Secunderabad are "twin cities" near Hussain Sagar Lake (also known as Tank Bund in local parlance) but both cities have grown so much that now they have become one big metropolis.
The city and district of Hyderabad are coterminous. Hyderabad district is entirely contained within the Ranga Reddy district of Andhra Pradesh. Many of the suburbs of Hyderabad were recently merged into the city, now called Greater Hyderabad.
* Charminar. 9AM-5PM Mo-Sa. Closed on Fridays between 1-2PM for prayers.. Literally "Four minarets", this structure was built at the very spot at which Quli Qutb Shah prayed for the end to the plague epidemic. The Charminar has long been the icon of Hyderabad. The towers rise to a height of 48.7 m above the ground. There is a mosque with 45 prayer spaces located inside in the upper storeys. The structure stands in the middle of a busy road with vehicular traffic, but a pedestrianization project is under way. Atop the minarets, you get a panoramic view of Hyderabad city. Rs 5, Children below 11 free (for Indians) Rs.100 (for foreigners) Video cameras are charged Rs.25 extra. edit
* Chowmahalla Palace, Khilwat, 20-4-236, Motigalli Hyderabad - 500 002, ☎ +91-40-2452-2032, [18]. 10AM-5PM Sa-Th. Closed on National Holidays. Situated near Charminar, it was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty where the Nizam entertained his official guests and royal visitors. Rs. 25 (for Indians) Rs. 150 (for foreigners), camera permit Rs. 50. edit
* Falaknuma Palace. Built by Nawab Viqar al-Umra in 1872, Falaknuma is a stunning piece of architecture and the most opulent of the Nizam's palaces. The interior is particularly impressive and features the works of Florentine sculptors and a 100-seater Dining Table. The palace is currently being renovated and the Taj Group is converting it into a luxury hotel. Visitors are not allowed inside. Avoid this unless viewing the exterior will satisfy you. edit
* Golconda Fort. 9AM-9PM. The Golconda Fort was the first capital of the Qutb Shahi kingdom. In the 16th century, it was the centre of a flourishing diamond trade. The fort is a gigantic complex with an outer wall measuring 10km. Set aside a minimum of 2 hours to do justice to your visit. Learning a little about the fort ahead of time is recommended as it is easy to get confused or lost in the massive space. Avoid the local guides, as they are not very enlightening. There is also a light and sound show (price for foreigners Rs.50/100 for normal/executive ticket) after sunset lasting ~1h that tells you the story of the fort and is worth seeing. The English show runs every day at 6:30pm November to February and 7pm March to October. Hindi and Telugu shows are run afterwards in certain days. Rs 5 for Indians, Rs.100 for foreigners. edit
* H.E.H The Nizam's Museum, Purani Haveli, Behind Princess Durru Shehvar Children's Hospital Hyderabad-2, ☎ +91 40 2452 1029. 10am-5pm Sa-Th. Adults-Rs.50 Students & children-Rs.15. edit
* Hussain Shah Wali Dargah. edit
* Mecca Masjid, Southwest of the Char Minar. Mecca Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in the city and easily the biggest. Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah began building it in 1617 under the supervision of Mir Faizullah Baig and Rangiah Choudhary. Mughal emperor Aurangzeb completed the construction in 1694. The mosque is a granite giant with awe-inspiring innards. The main hall of the mosque is 75 feet high, 220 feet wide and 180 feet long, big enough to accommodate ten thousand worshippers at a time. The entrance arches are made of single slabs of granite. It is believed that Muhammed Quli commissioned bricks to be made from earth brought from Mecca and inducted them into the construction of the central arch of the mosque, which explains the name of the mosque. edit
Mecca Masjid
* Moula Ali Dargah. 400 stairs brings you to a place of worship built by the Asif Jahis. The Moula Ali Dargah was built in the memory of Hazrat Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. Legend has it that Yakoob, a eunuch in the court of Ibrahim Quli, went to the hill after he saw Hazrat Ali seated on it. To his surprise, he saw the impression Ali's palm on a stone, which he had dreamt. He had the impression cut out and installed in a shrine. Ibrahim Shah later built a mosque beside the dargah. A Ashurkhana , a Baradari (pavilion) and an Nqqar khana (place for beating drums) were built during the Qutb Shahi period. edit
* Osmania Arts College. Built during the period of the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan. The imposing facade of the building is a great sight. edit
* Paigah Tombs, Santoshnagar (Pisal Banda). These tombs belong to the 'Paigah' nobles (tied by blood and marriage to the Nizams) and are about 200 years old. These unique lime and mortar tombs are beautifully carved and have marble inlay work on them. edit
* Purani Haveli, Dewandevdi (Southeast of Afzalganj bridge). 10:30am-5pm Sa-Th. Originally, the palace of the Nizam's Prime Minister, later it was renovated and became the quarters of the Nizam's son. It is a U-shaped complex with a single-storeyed building in the European style. edit
* Purani Haveli Museum, Purani Haveli, Hyderabad.. Home to the world's longest wardrode, built in two levels with a hand-cranked wooden lift(elevator) in place. This occupies the entire length of one wing of the palace. edit
* Raymond Tomb. Michel Raymond, a French mercenary, was a military commander in the service of the second Nizam and also his close friend. His tomb is located at Saroornagar, and is made of black granite. edit
* Salar Jung Museum, Naya Pul, Afzalgunj (Turn left once you reach the south bank of Musi using the Nayapul), ☎ +91 40 2452 3211. 10:00 AM - 5 PM Sa-Th. (Ticketing closes at 4:15 PM). This collection belonged to the Salar Jungs, Prime Minsters of Hyderabad, but has been augmented since. The collection includes articles mostly from medieval and modern times, with a concentration of articles from the Islamic era. The western wing on the second floor is interesting. It contains paintings, furniture and other objects that the Salar Jung got from the West. The collection of Nizam jewellery is displayed only on special occasions. Free guided tours lasting two hours each are available at scheduled times, four times a day. Inquire at the entrance. Cameras, bags and liquids are not allowed, but mobile cameras are winked at. Deposit your contraband at the free lockers available near the ticketing area. Rs 15 for Indians and Rs 150 for Foreigners. edit
* Toli Masjid, Karwan. 300 years old. Known for its splendid architechture. edit
* Qutb Shahi Tombs (1 km north of Golconda fort, approached via Banjara Darwaza), [19]. 9:30AM-5:30PM Sa-Th. The Qutubshahi mosques in Hyderabad are so named because they were built by the Qutubshahi dynasty. Most of them were built by Quli Qutb Shah, the founder. Rs 10; camera Rs 20. edit
* Qutub Shahi Tombs Site Museum, Hyderabad-8, ☎ +91 40 2351 341. 9AM-4.30PM Sa-Th. Rs. 2.
The city and district of Hyderabad are coterminous. Hyderabad district is entirely contained within the Ranga Reddy district of Andhra Pradesh. Many of the suburbs of Hyderabad were recently merged into the city, now called Greater Hyderabad.
* Charminar. 9AM-5PM Mo-Sa. Closed on Fridays between 1-2PM for prayers.. Literally "Four minarets", this structure was built at the very spot at which Quli Qutb Shah prayed for the end to the plague epidemic. The Charminar has long been the icon of Hyderabad. The towers rise to a height of 48.7 m above the ground. There is a mosque with 45 prayer spaces located inside in the upper storeys. The structure stands in the middle of a busy road with vehicular traffic, but a pedestrianization project is under way. Atop the minarets, you get a panoramic view of Hyderabad city. Rs 5, Children below 11 free (for Indians) Rs.100 (for foreigners) Video cameras are charged Rs.25 extra. edit
* Chowmahalla Palace, Khilwat, 20-4-236, Motigalli Hyderabad - 500 002, ☎ +91-40-2452-2032, [18]. 10AM-5PM Sa-Th. Closed on National Holidays. Situated near Charminar, it was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty where the Nizam entertained his official guests and royal visitors. Rs. 25 (for Indians) Rs. 150 (for foreigners), camera permit Rs. 50. edit
* Falaknuma Palace. Built by Nawab Viqar al-Umra in 1872, Falaknuma is a stunning piece of architecture and the most opulent of the Nizam's palaces. The interior is particularly impressive and features the works of Florentine sculptors and a 100-seater Dining Table. The palace is currently being renovated and the Taj Group is converting it into a luxury hotel. Visitors are not allowed inside. Avoid this unless viewing the exterior will satisfy you. edit
* Golconda Fort. 9AM-9PM. The Golconda Fort was the first capital of the Qutb Shahi kingdom. In the 16th century, it was the centre of a flourishing diamond trade. The fort is a gigantic complex with an outer wall measuring 10km. Set aside a minimum of 2 hours to do justice to your visit. Learning a little about the fort ahead of time is recommended as it is easy to get confused or lost in the massive space. Avoid the local guides, as they are not very enlightening. There is also a light and sound show (price for foreigners Rs.50/100 for normal/executive ticket) after sunset lasting ~1h that tells you the story of the fort and is worth seeing. The English show runs every day at 6:30pm November to February and 7pm March to October. Hindi and Telugu shows are run afterwards in certain days. Rs 5 for Indians, Rs.100 for foreigners. edit
* H.E.H The Nizam's Museum, Purani Haveli, Behind Princess Durru Shehvar Children's Hospital Hyderabad-2, ☎ +91 40 2452 1029. 10am-5pm Sa-Th. Adults-Rs.50 Students & children-Rs.15. edit
* Hussain Shah Wali Dargah. edit
* Mecca Masjid, Southwest of the Char Minar. Mecca Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in the city and easily the biggest. Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah began building it in 1617 under the supervision of Mir Faizullah Baig and Rangiah Choudhary. Mughal emperor Aurangzeb completed the construction in 1694. The mosque is a granite giant with awe-inspiring innards. The main hall of the mosque is 75 feet high, 220 feet wide and 180 feet long, big enough to accommodate ten thousand worshippers at a time. The entrance arches are made of single slabs of granite. It is believed that Muhammed Quli commissioned bricks to be made from earth brought from Mecca and inducted them into the construction of the central arch of the mosque, which explains the name of the mosque. edit
Mecca Masjid
* Moula Ali Dargah. 400 stairs brings you to a place of worship built by the Asif Jahis. The Moula Ali Dargah was built in the memory of Hazrat Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. Legend has it that Yakoob, a eunuch in the court of Ibrahim Quli, went to the hill after he saw Hazrat Ali seated on it. To his surprise, he saw the impression Ali's palm on a stone, which he had dreamt. He had the impression cut out and installed in a shrine. Ibrahim Shah later built a mosque beside the dargah. A Ashurkhana , a Baradari (pavilion) and an Nqqar khana (place for beating drums) were built during the Qutb Shahi period. edit
* Osmania Arts College. Built during the period of the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan. The imposing facade of the building is a great sight. edit
* Paigah Tombs, Santoshnagar (Pisal Banda). These tombs belong to the 'Paigah' nobles (tied by blood and marriage to the Nizams) and are about 200 years old. These unique lime and mortar tombs are beautifully carved and have marble inlay work on them. edit
* Purani Haveli, Dewandevdi (Southeast of Afzalganj bridge). 10:30am-5pm Sa-Th. Originally, the palace of the Nizam's Prime Minister, later it was renovated and became the quarters of the Nizam's son. It is a U-shaped complex with a single-storeyed building in the European style. edit
* Purani Haveli Museum, Purani Haveli, Hyderabad.. Home to the world's longest wardrode, built in two levels with a hand-cranked wooden lift(elevator) in place. This occupies the entire length of one wing of the palace. edit
* Raymond Tomb. Michel Raymond, a French mercenary, was a military commander in the service of the second Nizam and also his close friend. His tomb is located at Saroornagar, and is made of black granite. edit
* Salar Jung Museum, Naya Pul, Afzalgunj (Turn left once you reach the south bank of Musi using the Nayapul), ☎ +91 40 2452 3211. 10:00 AM - 5 PM Sa-Th. (Ticketing closes at 4:15 PM). This collection belonged to the Salar Jungs, Prime Minsters of Hyderabad, but has been augmented since. The collection includes articles mostly from medieval and modern times, with a concentration of articles from the Islamic era. The western wing on the second floor is interesting. It contains paintings, furniture and other objects that the Salar Jung got from the West. The collection of Nizam jewellery is displayed only on special occasions. Free guided tours lasting two hours each are available at scheduled times, four times a day. Inquire at the entrance. Cameras, bags and liquids are not allowed, but mobile cameras are winked at. Deposit your contraband at the free lockers available near the ticketing area. Rs 15 for Indians and Rs 150 for Foreigners. edit
* Toli Masjid, Karwan. 300 years old. Known for its splendid architechture. edit
* Qutb Shahi Tombs (1 km north of Golconda fort, approached via Banjara Darwaza), [19]. 9:30AM-5:30PM Sa-Th. The Qutubshahi mosques in Hyderabad are so named because they were built by the Qutubshahi dynasty. Most of them were built by Quli Qutb Shah, the founder. Rs 10; camera Rs 20. edit
* Qutub Shahi Tombs Site Museum, Hyderabad-8, ☎ +91 40 2351 341. 9AM-4.30PM Sa-Th. Rs. 2.
Read More …
