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| (Enticing Charm of
an Enduring Heritage) |
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| Hyderabad
| Vijayawada
|Tirupathi| Puttuparthi
| Vishakapatnam |
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Location : 115 kms.from Anantapur 124 kms. From
Bangalore
Altitude : 17650 ft. above sea level
Language : English, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil
Hyderabad… a city born of love! History by day magic by night.
That’s Hyderabad a city of smiles of lights and of a thousand
faces.The capital of Andhra Pradesh Hyderabad is a heady mixture of
heritage traditional hospitality and a thriving software revolution.
Exuding the atmosphere of 400 year old Muslim splendour Hyderabad is
a city of infinite variety.
The enduring love of the 5th king of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty Mohammad
Quil Qutb Shah founded a new city along the banks of river Musi for
his ladylove Bhagmati. The city was then called Bhagyanagar. Later
when Bhagmati entered the royal family she was honoured with the
title Hyder Mahal and Bhagyanagar became Hyderabad.
Endearingly called the ‘Pearl City’ it is the fifth largest city in
India and is famous the world over for its pearls glass embedded
bangles and the delectable Hyderabadi cuisine besides monuments of
great historical interest. Legend says that in the late 16th century
Muhammad Quil Qutb Shah the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty
founded a new city along the banks of river Musi for his ladylove
Bhagmati. The city was then called Bhagyanagar. Later when Bhagmati
entered the royal family she wan honoured with the title Hyder Mahal
and Bhagyanagar became Hyderabad.
Located in the heart of Deccan Plateau 1760 ft. above the sea level
Hyderabad is blessed with a salubrious climate and a stunningly
beautiful landscape adorned with awe inspiring prehistoric rock
formations and natural lakes. It is a city where nature history
culture and laid-back lifestyle combine to create a mesmerizing
experience. After more than four centuries it still remains the land
of tradition the city of glory and a tribute to the past.
Hyderabad is that exclusive delectable point where the flavour of
North India blends with the ardour of South. A city sprinkled with
historical remains that bear the indelible mark of two dynasties the
Qutb Shahis and the Asaf Jahis.
Hyderabad with its twin –city Secunderabad separated by the
Hussainsagar Lake has a unique landscape. Hyderabad-Secunderabad the
capital of Andhra Pradesh combines influences from both the Hindu
and Islamic traditions. The city nestles amongst the spectacular
grey granite rocks of the Deccan Plateau.An important centre of Islamic culture Hyderabad is central India’s
counterpart to the Mughal Splendour of the northern cities of Delhi,
Agra and Fatehpuri Sikri.
Places of attractions :-
Charminar:
Hyderabad’s principal landmark the Charminar (four
towers) was built by Mohammad Quil Qutub Shah in 1591 reputed to
commemorate the end of a devastating epidemic. The most popular
landmark in Hyderabad is Charminar. A historical monument located in
the centre of the Pearl City it is a picture of grace and tribute to
the fighting spirit of human kind. The monument with its four
graceful minarets soars to a height of 48.7mts. Above the ground and
is often referred to as the Arc of Triumph of the East’. Its central
structure soars to a height of 180 feet.Most of the fabled bazaars
are located around the Charminar.A few steps from this spot is the
Lad Bazaar which is well known for its attractive bangles in
different colours and designs. The city’s pearl trade also
originates at this place. The old bazaar throbs with the hectic
trading of pearls lac bangles and all other accessories to adorn a
Hyderabadi bride.
Golconda Fort:
Like many of the great forts in India Golconda exudes
a palpable sense of history. This is one of the most accessible of
great medieval fortresses in India was the capital of the Qutb Shahi
Kings who ruled over the area. Golconda Fort is a massive fort of
granite with the walls and ramparts extending more than 5 kms in
circumference. It is located at a distance of 13 kms from Hyderabad
and is a magnificent structure that reflects the genius of its
builders with walled enclosures and palaces on a hillock. A clap at
the foot of the fort can be heard at the top of the citadel at a
height of 61 mts. The citadel is built on a granite hill 120 mts
high and is surrounded by crenellated ramparts constructed of large
masonry blocks. The massive gates are studded with large pointed
iron spikes intended to obstruct war elephants. Outside the citadel
stands another crenellated rampart surrounding the base of the hill
with a perimeter of 11 kms. Outside this wall is a third wall. The
origin of the fort city can be traced back to the Yadavas of
Devagiri and the Kakatiyas of Andhra.
The Bahamanis of Gulbarg lost their city to the Qutub Shahis in
1518. The significant features of the fort include 87 bastions and
eight gates of over 69 feet in height which can even withstand
elephants battering them during a siege. The Golconda rulers were
rich and the famous Kohinoor diamond stands as evidence of their
prosperity. Two guns of about 20 feet in length Fateh Rahben Gun
which were part of Aurangzeb’s artillery are still found at the
fort. There is a Son et Lumiere Show at the fort at 7 pm from March
to October and at 6.30 pm from November to February re-enacting the
glory and grandeur of the Qutb Shahis with matchless Sound and Light
effects.
Salar Jung Museum:
The Salar Jung Museum is the repository of the
artistic achievements of diverse European Asian and Far Eastern
countries of the world. The museum houses a grand collection of
antiques and other articles of the Nizam of Hyderabad acquired by
Mir Yusuf Ali Khan also known as Salar Jung III. The 35,000 exhibits
from every corner of the world include Persian carpets Mughal
miniatures Chinese Porcelain Japanese lacquer ware woodcarvings
religious and devotional objects weaponry over 50000 books famous
sculptures including the Veiled Rebecca and Mephistopheles and
Marguerite ( a double statue in single piece of Oak stem) a superb
collection of clocks acquired from England, France, Germany, Holland
and Switzerland and so on. The museum is open from 10 am to 5pm
daily except Friday.
Falaknuma Palace:
This palace is originally a rich nobleman’s house
was built in a mixture of classical and Mughal styles. It is a
unique blend of Italian and Tudor architecture. Built in 1883 by
Nawab-UI-Ulmara the fifth Amir of Paigah and the then Prime Minister
of Hyderabad the palace took nearly 7 years for its completion. The
palace complex stands at 1, 02, 634 sq.mts and is in the shape of a
scorpion with two stingers spread out as wings on the North side.
This wonderful structure has attracted a number of special guests.
Like the Viceroys of India European royalty including King George V
and Queen Mary the Prince of Wales Lord Mountbatten and Winston
Churchill with his entire regiment. The palace however is generally
closed to visitors and is opened only for special occasions.
Qutub Shahi Tombs: These graceful domed tombs are about 1.5 kms
northwest of Goloconda fort’s Balahisar Gate. Known as the Istanbul
of India. Hyderabad possesses the Qutub Shahi architecture. The
tombs of the legendary Qutb Shahi Kings lie to the north of
Goloconda Fort. The Qutb Shahis are believed to have had their
proclamations read from the hill tops accompanied by the beating of
drums. Planned and built by Qutb Shahi themselves these tombs are
said to be the oldest historical monuments in Hyderabad. In 1940
pavilions were built and then a hanging garden was laid out on top
on one. They form a large group and stand on a raised platform. The
tombs are built in Persian Pathan and Hindu architectural styles
using grey granite with stucco ornamentation. Surrounded by
landscaped gardens they are open from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm daily
except Friday.
Meca Masjid:
Adjacent to the Charminar is the Mecca Masjid one of
the largest historical mosques in the south. It is located a hundred
yards southwest of the Charminar and was built by the sixth of the
Qutub Shahi Kings in 1614. The Mughal King Aurangzeb completed the
final finishing.
It is poetry in stone with a hall measuring 76 mts. And soaring to a
height 54 mts.
The roof is supported by fifteen graceful arches-five to each of the
three sides. The beautiful mosque can accommodate nearly 10,000
People at a time. Towards the southern end of the mosque lies the
marble graves of Nizam Ali Khan and the families of Asaf Jahi
dynasty.
Legend has it that some bricks brought from Mecca were used in the
construction of the central arch of this mosque. A room in the
courtyard is believed to house a relic of the Prophet Mohammed known
as ‘Aasaar-e-Mubarak’. The vast mosque can accommodate 10,000
prayers.
Birla Mandir-A Synthesis of Purity:
The Birla Mandir Temple which
was constructed of white Rajasthani marble in 1976 graces of the
twin rocky hills built at an altitude of 280 feet on the high Naubat
pahab overlooking the picturesque Hussain Sagar. Dedicated to Lord
Venkateswara the temple is a popular Hindu pilgrimage centre. The
magnificent architecture of the temple is a synthesis of North and
South Indian styles. The main temple is a blend of the Khajurao and
Bodh Gaya of North India and Rajagopuram and Garudalaya of South
Indian architecture. The main deity is a magnificent nine and a half
feet granite idol a replica of the presiding deity at Tirumala.
Birla Planetarium is one of the most modern planetaria equipped with
advanced technology. The Birla Science Museum is a tribute to the
advances made in science and technology.On Naubat Pahad (Drum rock) the hill adjacent to the Birla Mandir
Temple are the Birla Planetarium and the Science museum.
Lumbini Park:
Lumbini Park developed by Hyderabad Urban Development
Authority (HUDA) in 1994 is spread out in about 4 acres of land
adjacent to the Hussain Sagar Lake. Major attractions here are
excellent scenic views the monolithic Buddha statue the musical
fountain synchronizing music fountains and colours and the central
point are floral clocks waterfalls fountains and of course the snack
stalls.
The State Assembly:
This imposing edifice bearing an all white
aesthetic look was once the town hall in the old Hyderabad state.
This heritage building has Rajasthani and Persian architecture and
was completed in the year 1905 to mark the birthday of Nizam Mahboob
Ali Khan.
Hussain Sagar:
The 16mts. deep lake was created in the mid-16th
century by building a bund linking the charming city of Hyderabad
and Secunderabad. The picturesque lake unites the twin cities like
wedding ring. Built during the reign of Ibrahim Qutub Shah the lake
was named after its builder Hajrat Hussain Shah Wali. In the middle
of the lake on the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ rises the statue of Buddha
like a colossus. On one side of the lake is the Necklace Road which
indeed twinkles like a necklace. AP Tourism offers boating pleasure
cruises and water-sports as a part of the recreation activities
around the lake.33 statues of historic personage of Andhra Pradesh
placed along the bund of the lake are an added attraction.
Hyderabad boasts one of the largest stone Buddha’s in the world.
Unfortunately once a disaster struck and the statue sank into the
lake taking with it eight people. There it languished for two years.
Finally in 1992 a Goan Salvage Company raised it (undamaged) and it
is now on a plinth in the middle of the lake.
AP State Museum:
A showcase projecting Paleolithic, Neolithic and
Megalithic remains, ancient pottery, Buddhist idols and inscriptions
from a more recent era. The museum exposes the sculpture and other
priceless artifacts from the 2nd century B.C. and later. It also
houses an ‘Egyptian Mummy’ dating back to 2500 BC.
The Osmania University:
It was established in 1918 by Nizam is
situated situated to the east of the city within the beautiful and
landscaped botanical gardens. It is noted for its architecture a
blend of Indian and European design. Its sprawling campus with its
black granite Arts College combines Moorish and Hindu Kakatiya
architectural styles.
Archaeological Museum:
The Archaeological Museum contains a small
collection of archaeological finds from the area together with
copies of paintings from the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra.
Also worth a quick visit is the nearby Health Museum where one will
see the strange and eclectic collection of medical and public health
paraphernalia.There’s an Aquarium nearby in Jawahar BAL Bhavan. It’s
open from 10.30 am to 5 pm daily except Sunday. |
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