More Images...

About the city

Hyderabad is the capital of andhra Pradesh State. Exuding the atmosphere of 400 years old Muslim splendor, Hyderabad is a city of infinite variety. Founded in the 16th century by Quli Qutub Shah the fourth King of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, the new city encircled pre-historic rock structures was laid about 9 km from Golconda on the east bank of river Musi. Hyderabad is known as the 2nd largest town growing, after Bangalore, in software exports, as biggest software giants are located here. i.e. Satyam Computers, Sriven. Also Microsoft is opening new office in India at Hyderabad. The city is also famous for pearls.

Hyderabad, now the capital of andhra Pradesh and for long India's fifth city (now overtaken by Bangalore), was formerly the capital of the Muslim state of Hyderabad. The city was founded in 1589 as a successor to Golconda, the site of which had proved very unhealthy. Captured by Aurangzeb at the second attempt in 1687, its real prominence began in 1724 when the Mughal viceroy deciared his independence of Delhi. Hyderabad was the second largest of the princely states (after Kashmir), and its ruler, the Nizam, was traditionally the richest man in the world.

Hi-rich Hyderabad, the city of traditions and technology was founded in 1591, by Mohammed Quli Qutub shah, the fifth Qutub shahi sultan of Golconda. This mangnificent city of minarets on the banks of the river Musi retains the medieval flavour and charm. It has also emerged as a major educational and industrial centre as well as one of the IT capitals of India.

Hyderabad, known for its fabulous pearls and diamond markets and delectable cuisine is the fifth largest city in India with an ancient civilisation and culture. Hyderabad and Secunderbad are twin cities, separated by the Husain Sagar lake. Hyderabad occupies a unique position on the map of India. With its confluence of cultures and traditions, the city is often described as a link between the north and the south, and a meeting place of the east and the west. The city is nearly 400 years old and is noted for its natural beauty, mosques and minarets, bazaars and bridges, hills and lakes.

Visit the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and you'll soon discover that Charminar is not just a cheap brand of cigarettes. Or that the deliciously fiery Mirchi Ka Salan is not for the weak of stomach. Representing the old and the new city respectively, Hyderabad and Secunderabad evoke mixed associations and can be confusing to those who do not experience them intimately. Known for the Nizam's jewels, the Golconda Fort and the imposing Charminar on one hand and also famously known as 'Cyberabad' for an advanced IT industry, on the other, the cities bring together the traditional and the contemporary. Once ruled by the wealthiest man in the world - the Nizam of Hyderabad - this capital of andhra Pradesh is rich in technological advancement today. Also famous for their pearls, filigree jewellery, bidri art and ikkat weave, the twin cities are a treasury of the past and the present.

Hyderabad is the fifth largest city in India with an ancient civilisation and culture. Hyderabad and Secunderbad are twin cities, seperated by Hussain sagar which is a man made lake. Hyderabad occupies a unique position on the map of India. With its confluence of cultures and traditions, the city is often described as a link between the north and the south, and a meeting place of the east and the west. The city is nearly 400 years old and is noted for its natural beauty, mosques and minarets, bazaars and bridges, hills and lakes. The name itself brings up visions of a vibrant city of minarets and modern high - rise buildings. A natural and sophisticated blend of old and new, an old 'Nawabi' culture with a new pro-active approach and hospitality.

The teeming bazaars of the old city, in the midst of which stands the 400-year-old Charminar, the modern shopping complexes and ultra-modern malls in the newer areas of the city add to the charm of Hyderabad.

The Golconda Fort, capital of the kingdom by that name, is today very much part of the city, as is Cyberabad (means Cyber City), a new local area created to keep pace with the zooming Information Technology & Tourism sector.

Pearls, bangles, silks, computer software, handicrafts and above all a delectable cuisine add to the splendour of this great city.

The City of Pearls

Hyderabad is also known as the City of Pearls, and is one of the most developed city in the country. It is the capital city of the Indian state of andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad has today become the emerging Information Technology (or IT) and Biotechnology hub of India. IT is known worldwide for its rich history, culture and architecture representing its unique charactrtistic of a meeting point for the North and Soth India. Hyderabad is considered to be the gateway of southern India, and has always been a place where Hindu and Muslims have co-existed peacefully for centuries.

Demography

Hyderabad has a population of about 3.5 million, in which 27% of it is urban population. It has an average literacy rate of 79%, in which male literacy is 84% and female literacy is about 74%.

Orientation

536 m above sea level, the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are the capital of andhra Pradesh. The city is divided into three: Hyderabad the old city, Secunderabad the new and Golconda, the old fort. Hyderabad straddles the river Musi while it is separated from Secunderabad by the artificial Hussain Sagar lake. Most places of interest lie to the south of the river while accommodation is to the north. Secunderabad is on the northern side of Hussain Sagar and the ruins of Golconda Fort lie about 11 km west of the city.

History

The city Hyderabad had its humble beginning in a mud fortress built by the Kakatiyas of Warangal in the 11th century AD on a hill called Golconda. In the 14th century, Golconda went to the Bahanamani kings. From 1518 to 1687, the Qutub Shabhi kings ruled Golconda. Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah was the founder of the present day Hyderabad. Golconda's overcrowding and water shortage forced the king to lay the foundations of a new city that he named as Bhagyanagar after his Hindu courtesan, Bhagmati. The name was changed to Hyderabad when she became his wife and changed her name to Haider Mahal.

Before the establishment of Hyderabad as a city, this area was part of King Ashoka s Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BC. Subsequently the Satavahanas ruled the area for close to 500 years after which various Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms wrested control of this region. With the fall of Warangal to Muhammad bin Tughluq s forces in 1321 AD, the region was soon under the firm control of the Bahmani Sultanate by the mid-15th century. Hyderabad was born when the region awarded to Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk for his services. Sultan Quli established his base at the fortress of Golconda and ruled from here as the Subedar of Telangana. In 1518, he declared independence from the Bahmani Sultanate, anticipating the start of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty. Golconda flourished under the rule of the Qutb Shahi kings, flourishing in trade and commerce and especially in diamonds and pearls. However it was only with Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fourth king in the Qutb Shahi dynasty, that the city of Hyderabad was established in 1589 on the Musi river. He also ordered the construction of the Charminar in 1591 in memory of those who died of the plague that wiped out half the city. The Purana Pul was also built around this time to cut travelling time from Hyderabad to Golconda, the royal base. A city that had prospered both culturally and commercially under the Qutb Shahi rule was ruined and neglected after the Mughals came into power and retained control over Hyderabad between 1687 and 1724. After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the Mughal-appointed viceroys established their own independent states first taking the title of Subedar and later, that of Nizam. The city would only come into prominence again after 1763 when Nizam Ali Khan of the Asaf Jan dynasty, shifted the capital back from Aurangabad to Hyderabad. The Nizams however, were allied to the French and gradually became embroiled in the French-British rivalry for control of India during the latter half of the 18th century. These conflicts weakened their kingdoms, including Hyderabad, forcing them to enter into a treaty with the British that relinquished most of their power. However, with British troops stationed near Hussain Sagar, the British became instrumental in developing Secundarabad, the twin city of Hyderabad.

Modern History

When India gained Independence in 1947, the Nizam expressed his wish to keep Hyderabad as an independent state or acquire Dominion status with the British Empire. The private Razakar army under the Nizam's guidance, began to wreck havoc on the city, forcing the Indian Government to occupy the city using military force in 1948. Hyderabad State was thus brought into the Indian Union. In 1956 when Indian States were reorganized on linguistic grounds, Hyderabad became the capital of andhra Pradesh and a major industrial and educational centre.

Recent History

Today, the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are waking up to a new history while holding on to the old. Hyderabad is now considered an emerging BPO capital of modern India, earning its new moniker 'Cyberabad'. The city is said to have grown in the past decade at a phenomenal rate ranking 22nd in the list of Indian states in terms of infrastructure in 1995 moving up to number 3 at the turn of the millennium. In spite of this, the dusty city still retains some of its 19th century majesty and charm unlike other cities in the south.

A young prince, Muhammad Quli fell passionately in love with a maiden from Chichlam village across the river Musi. When he ascended the throne, Muhammad Quli built a grand structure, the Charminar, at the site of the village. The city was called Bhagnagar to appease his beloved, Bhagmati. Later, it came to be called Hyderabad. Bhagnagar means city of good fortune.

The history of Hyderabad begins with the establishment of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. Quli Qutub Shah seized the reins of power from the Bahamani Kingdom in 1512 and established the fortress city of Golconda. Inadequacy of water, and frequent epidemics of plague and cholera forced Mohammed, the fifth Quli Qutub Shahi ruler to venture outward to establish the new city with the Charminar at its centre and with four great roads fanning out in the four cardinal directions.

The City of Hyderabad is famous for its minarets and its pearl bazaar. Pearl from all over the world are said to come to Hyderabad because the artisans here are skilled in piercing and stringing pearls without damaging them. The city's gypsy tribes called Lambadas and Banjaras are known throughout the country for their colourful costumes - and Hyderabadi cuisine is much sought after.

Romantic City of the Charminar

When a poet, architect and an artist supervises the building of a city, beauty, balance and proportion are to be expected. What lends an air of romance to the city of Hyderabad, is the love story of a young prince and a village belle that led to its construction.

There are several places to see in and around the city of Hyderabad. The Charminar, which is the prime attraction of the city, has four wide roads radiating in the four cardinal directions. The four minarets command the landscape for miles. The structure is square, each side measuring 100 feet, with a central pointed high arch at the centre. The whole edifice contains numerous small decorative arches arranged both vertically and horizontally.

Who can resist mouth-watering kebabs, mirch ka salan, bagharey baingan, sheermal and biryani - some of the irresistible delights of Hyderabadi cuisine? Competing with these aromas are the unique scents of traditional ittar - perfumes and oils which are intended to work on one's senses in varying ways. Ointments to soothe, vapours to lull one to sleep or bring one to wakefulness are all to be found, bottled and displayed. Stunning varieties of glass bangles are a photographer's delight as resplendent shades of every imaginable colour glint in the afternoon sun.

Hyderabad today stands as one of the most rapidly growing cities of India. This almost 400-year old city with its natural beauty, mosques and minarets, bazaars, bridges and lakes is rightfully referred to as a link between the north and the south, and a meeting place of the east and the west.