Andhra Pradesh State - Hyderabad, Part 1

City of Pearls, Hyderabad
Tour date: 7th January 2012, Saturday

Unlike the project site, Saturday is a weekend holiday for our HQ in Hyderabad. I was reporting to work on the 1st week of new year and mobilised to Vijayawada site on the 2nd week of 2012. As there was a meeting on the following Monday, I decided to book a company vehicle touring the city of pearls or known as the city of Nizam on the weekend.

I wish to share the historical facts of Hyderabad and the places that I visited, information that was collected from the hotels as well as from my tour. Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb captured the city in 1687 due to its strategic location and its legendary wealth. When the empire was disintegrated, Asaf Jahi, the prime minister proclaimed himself as the master of Deccan, called himself the Nizam. His descendant, the current Nizam is now 1 of the richest man in India. This 400 year metropolis is a residents of a mix varied culture with Muslim being a majority population, especially in the old city of Hyderabad. The old city is a place where magnificent monuments and mansions, built to mark the emperor's heritage. I explored the following city attraction for a start.

Chowmohalla Palace - a unique for its style and elegance, was built around 1780 by the 2nd Nizam, extensively renovated in 1911 was recently open for public viewing. The palace administer charged an entrance fee of Rs150 for foreigner and Rs50 for the camera. Locals is being charged at Rs25. The complex consists of 2 courtyards with elegant palaces, the grand Durbar hall, the fountains and beautiful gardens. Different portions of Chowmohalla were built during different phases of the Nizam's rule, i.e. Afzal Mahal, Mhatb Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal and Aftab Mahal. Afzal Mahal (can be seen from below photo) is the most outstanding among all. The grand pillared Durbar Hall was a pure marble platform on which the royal seat was laid to receive ambassadors from all over the world. The council hall is the venue for temporary exhibitions and family treasures that offers a glimpse of the bygone era.

Mecca Masjid - it get its name from the bricks that was brought from Mecca, laid to build the central arch of the mosque. The mosque construction was initiated by the Qutb Shahis but was completed during the reign of Aurangzeb in 1864. Its hall measuring 67 metres with a height of 54 metres. It has 15 graceful arches, 5 to of the 3 sides supported the roof. Towards the southern end of the mosque lied the graves of Nizam Ali Khan and the families of Asaf Jahi @ Nizam's dynasty.

Charminar - by far it is the most imposing structure and a landmark of Hyderabad. It is where the pivot and the history of the city was developed, built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Minar in 1591. Charminar is a beautiful colossus in granite, lime and mortar seated not far from Mecca Masjid. It is a square structure with 4 towers placed at the 4 corners, each measuring 20 metres length. Every side opens into a plaza through giant arches, 20 metres high on the plinth and 11 metres wide. The minarets are 4-storeyed with a delicate carved ring around the minaret. Inside the minarets are spiral stairways of 149 steps. For the record, I myself climbed up to 54 stairs (remaining stairs is being locked) to enjoy a panoramic of the city. The surrounding significant architectural are Jama Masjid, Char Kamaan and Miya Mishk.

Birla Mandir - It is an idol temple, a replica in Tirupati built by Birlas in sculptured white marble on the top hill of Kala Pahad, 3 decades ago. The temples offers a panoramic view of the twin city of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, however, when the camera is forbidden at the entrance, no photographic evidence can proof the statement. Scenes from Ramayana and Mahabrata, besides quotes of wisdom's from other religious texts, i.e. Torah, Bible, Sai Baba, Gautama Buddha etc are finely sculptured in marble around the temple.

Hussain Sagar Lake - was constructed by Hussain Shah Wali in 1562 during the reign of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. Boating's and water sports are regular activities here. Recently, the world's tallest monolithic statue of Buddha stands in the middle of the lake at its 17.5 metres high and weighs 350 tonnes.

Others beautiful buildings that can be seen from distances (below photos), mostly belong to the Nizam's family being used as commercials such as universities and government office built during the glory of the Muslim's Sultanate and the Mughals. Hyderabad has been made a very commercial and modern IT city. Their new airport has been constructed to meet the tourist demand and foreign investors that flooded the city. It's twin city, Secunderabad is equally crowded for those who wishes to visit an interesting places of the past glory of Nizam's ruler. I would say that the locals Hyderabad people are very lucky with both historical places and modern urbanization development being very well reserved and developed in  their lovely city.

to be continued with Part II of my journey to Golkonda Fort...