HYDERABAD - THE CITY

Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh is a bustling 400 year old metropolis with an urban population of 5 million approximately. The city is cosmopolitan, and is richly endowed with a variety of cultures. The city presents an attractive amalgam of old world charm together with the ebullience of growth and enterprise. Beautiful old edifices built in the medieval, moghul, colonial and Indo-Saracenic styles abound, rubbing shoulders with large glass and chrome temples of commerce.

The History of Hyderabad begins with establishment of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Quli Qutb 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 persuaded Mohammad Quli Qutb, the fifty Qutb 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. Hyderabad 's fame, strategic location and Golconda's lagendary wealth attracted Aurangazeb who captured Golconda after a long seige in 1687. After this defeat the importance of Hyderabad declined and the city fell into partial ruin.

As the Moghul empire decayed and began to disintegrate, the Viceroy, Asaf Jah I proclaimed himself the Nizam and established independent rule of the Deccan. Hyderabad once again became a major capital city, ruled by successive Nizams of the Asaf Jahi  dynasty until the state was merged into the Indian Union in 1948.

In 1798, a subsidiary alliance for military and political cooperation was signed between the Nizam and the British East India company. Thereafter, an area north of what is now the Hussain Sagar lake was established as a cantonment. The area was named Secunderabad after the then Nizam, Sikander Jah. Both Hyderabad and Secunderabad grew together and have now merged. An imaginary across the Tank Bund is still used to distinguish the two cities.

The city of Hyderabad is famous for its minarets and its pearl bazaar. Pearls 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 colorful costumes-and Hyderabad cuisine is much sought after.

Hyderabad is at an altitude of 536 meters with the mean summer temperature going up to a maximum of 42 degrees Celsius and the minimum average temperature being around 22 degrees. The maximum winter temperature is around 22 with the minimum going down to around 12 degrees. Light woolens are required during early mornings and late evenings. 

This beautiful white marble temple of Lord Balaji is built on a hillock, the Kala Pahad. This exquisite temple has great sculptural excellence and a profusely carved ceiling. It is a beautiful sight at night when illuminated, standing against the dark sky and looking down on Hussian Sagar Lake.

Timings: 7 a.m. to 12 noon & 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

A magnificent edifice, it epitomises Hyderabad and marks its 400 years of history. Built by ruler Quli Qutb Shah it stands 180 ft. tall, the four minarets soar to height of 48.7 Mts. each above the ground. Within are 45 prayer spaces and a mosque. It is being pedestrainised for better access as well as the safety of the monument. Must See!.

A 300 acre Deer Park with natural vegetation, it shelters wild life such as the spotted Deer, Black Buck, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Python and over a hundred species of birds.

The city of Hyderabad is replete with imposing monuments which give a clue to the rich historical background of the land. It also boasts of the magnificent palaces like the Falaknuma palace, the Chowmohalla palace and the Purani Haveli.

Gandipet is the most sought after picnic spot for Hyderabadis. It has been developed as a public recreation area with well laid out lush green gardens and swimming pool. Throughout the year - weekdays or weekends - Gandipet beckons holidayers from every nook and corner of the twin cities. Anyone visiting Gandipet is pleased to see a vast stretch of placid water that shimmer like gold with the rays of the morning sun. The breeze is cool and soothing and the ambience, serene. Sprawling lawns with colorful flora and youthful trees towards the lower side of the dam make the place picturesque. The lake offers boating facilities to the visitors who look forward to an ideal joyride.

One of the modern monuments of trade and technology, it embodies the new found attitude of Hyderabad and today finds a place of pride. Situated on the outskirts of the city, it is the nucleus of Cyberabad, the IT destination in these parts of the world.

This lake, around which the city is spread, was constructed in 1562 A.D. Today, it is the bejeweled heart of the twin cities with the newly built Necklace road. In the recent past it has evolved as one of the single largest gathering place for recreation. Boating and Water Spots are a regular feature at the Hussain Sagar. Jutting out of the middle is the 18 meter high, 350 tone monolithic statue of Lord Buddha on the rock of Gibraltar, in the middle of the lake. The bund is lined with 33 statues of famous personalities of the states.

Spread across an area of 300 lush green acres, this zoo is a must for all nature lovers. The biggest zoo in India, it has over 1,500 different kinds of animals and birds, most of whom are kept in conditions close to their natural habitat. Other attractions are a lion safari park, a natural history museum, a prehistoric animal park and a children's park.

The Ramoji Film City is a colossal creation. This is Hyderabad 's answer to Universal Studios-nearly 2000 acres, a complete world created for assisting the dream merchants of cinema. Luxury hotels, Japanese gardens, Parisian boulevards, make-believe airports/railway stations and a host of other fantastic creations.

It is open to the tourist at any entry fee of Rs. 200 per adult and Rs. 150 per child.

Located 9 kill. from Secunderabad, Runway 9 is claimed to be the first, largest and the only international Go-Karting center India with a length of 711 meters, lit up by 50,000-watt power white metal halide lamps.

Facilities include Go-Karting, Pool & Snooker, Archery, Shooting, and Roller Skating, Children's Play area, fast food restaurants, Conference facilities and exclusive party areas.

This museum is a unique art collection of a single, great connoisseur of art, Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, better known to the world as Salarjung III, scion of an illustrious and wealthy family and a short lived prime minister of Hyderabad.

The object d'art include Persian carpets, Mughal miniatures, famous sculptors including the veiled Rebecca and Marguerite and Mephistopheles, a superb collection of Jade, Daggers sword, Silver, Bidri and Brocade, Rococo, Baroque, even cuckoo clocks and walking sticks.

Must See! (Closed on Fridays. Timings: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Shamirpet is known for its artificial lake which was dug almost 50 years ago by a Jagirdar of that area. The Jawahar lake is solely rain-fed. The lake has a small bund or dam with a few flood gates. At the beginning of the bund is a small temple of the local deity Katta Maisamma. Many such temples are seen in the Telangana regions. "Katta" means bridge and this deity is believed to protect travelers on the bridge. Motorists who pass over this bridge, often halt at the temple to offer prayer to the deity.

It's a Crafts village spread over 30 acres set amidst lovely rocks, rippling waterfalls and gorgeous lawns located at Madhapur. The annual All India Festival of Arts and Crafts held here in December bring to limelight the cultural and artistic traditions from every nook and corner of the country. It is a one time opportunity to take home a piece of India.