| Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, along with its twin city Secunderabad has over 400 years of history. Hyderabad is a heady mixture of heritage, traditionally hospitality and a thriving software revolution. A revolution that has already attracted Microsoft to set its only overseas base here. The fifth largest city in India and has a population of over 2.2 million. Hyderabad is famous world over for its fabulous Diamond markets, glass embedded bangles and the delectable Hyderabadi cuisine. It has a Hindu - Muslim culture with a number of monuments of historical importance. Legend says that in 1589 Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutub 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 was honored with the title Hyder Mahal. And Bhagyanagar became Hyderabad. There are no forests in this district, and this district is the Smallest district in Andhra Pradesh and the densest one in the whole State. |
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| Charminar |
| Charminar is Hyderabads best known historical landmark. It was built in 1591 by Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah. The original Charminar a huge construction in wood representing the tomb of the Muslim saint Imam Hussain was as charm to safeguard the city against the outbreak of cholera in the late 16th century. When the epidemic subsided, the Charminar was rebuilt in stone and mortar at the same place where the original structure was built. It is an elegant rectangular edifice of four grand arches facing towards the four cardinal points. Each side of it is 100 ft and pitch of the arch is 50 ft above the ground. The minor height is 180 ft. The remarkable architecture was built under the supervision of Engineers and Architects of Arabia, Turkey, Persia and India. The teeming lanes that around the Charminar encompass one of the colourful bazaars in India. The famous Lad Bazar is also located here where the colourfully stone Bangles and other beautique are available |
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| Macca Masjid |
| Mecca Masjid situated very near to Charminar. It is one of the largest and most impressive mosques in South India. A unique feature of Mecca Masjid is its massive door arches and colonnades which were carved from single slab of granite. The Mecca Masjid was started by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in the year 1614 and completed by the Mughal Emperor Arranges in 1687 |
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| Salarjung Museum |
| The world famous Salarjung Museum displays around 35,000 antiques and art objects collected by Nawab Laser Jung III, Prime Minister to the Nizam of Hyderabad reputed to the Worlds largest one-man collection. The most important exhibits are Turban & Ivory chairs of Tipu Sultan, Aurangazebs diamond studded sword veiled statues of Rebecca and Margaret Mephistopheles |
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| Birla Mandir |
| A temple dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara sits on the Hill top of Kalapahad, over looking the Hussain Sagar Lake. The architecture is a balance of North and South Indian styles of Temple architecture. A breath taking view of the city can be seen from the top of the temple, a monument of grandeur and magnificence in marble |
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| Qutub Shahi Tombs |
| The Mausolea of Sultan of Golconda stand beside each other in silent garden about 1 km. North of the Golconda Fort. They are all similar-a square base with arch ways around and a dome on top. They are a blend of Pathan, Persian and Hindu Architecture |
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| Golconda Fort |
| This legendary fort once famous for its diamond market was the capital of the Qutub Shahi Kings who ruled the surrounding territories from 1518 A.D. to 1687 A.D. The fort originally belonged to the Kakatiyas who ruled the neighbouring areas from Warangal, their capital city. They ceded it to Bahamanis, who changed its mud construction into masony from the Bahamanis, Golconda passed into the hands of their successors, the Qutub Shahis. The most remarkable feature of the fort are its acoustics, where by a clapping of hands at the entry gate can be heard at the top of the fort which is 61 meters high. Water was raised by and ingenious system through laminated clay pipes and Persian wheels to cool the roof gardens and high walled palaces |
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| On the hill of Naubat Pahad is located Indias newest and most modern Planetarium with Japanese instrumentation. It was constructed by Birla Archaeological and Cultural Institute. It is developing into a center for astronomical studies. On this hill is built a modern science museum intended to be the best in the country. |
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| Nehru Zoological Park |
| The Nehru Zoological Park sest up in 1959 is a natural habitat of all types of birds and animal species spread over 300 acres of undulating landscape. The Lion Safari Park is the first of its kind in South Asia. Inside the Zoo is a museum of Natural History, ancient life and extinct animals in reconstructed models |
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| Budda Poornima |
| It is a comprehensive metro Project coming up near Tank Bund. It has boating facility for a joy ride in the water of Hussain Sagar and in the midst of the lake a 60 feet statue of Lord Buddha, the tallest monolith statue, along side the Lumbini Park with star attractions of Floral Clock and Musical Fountain |
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| Asman Garh Palace |
| The palace was designed and built by Sir Osman Jah, a noble belonging to the Paigah family and one time Prime Minister of Hyderabad State. The granite turrets and arched windows of Asman Garh stand atop a hill some distance ahead of the Hyderabad TV tower. The palace now houses an archaeological museum |
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| The Falaknuma Palace |
| The Falaknuma Palace is about three miles from Charminar. This palace was built by one of the three paigan chief, Nawab Sir, Viquar-ul-Umer. He sold this palace to the Nizam VI, Nawab Mir Mahboob Ali Khan at the cost of thirty five lakhs of Asif Jahi Rupees in 1897 it is regarded as one of the finest palaces in India. No building in the City of Hyderabad equals this from the point of view of architecture and design. There is a much similarity in this palace as that of king Lousis-XIV |
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| Public Garden |
| Public Garden was developed in the region of Nawab Mir Mahaboob Ali Khan Asif Jah-VI. Many changes took place during the region of H.E.H. the Nizam Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Asif Jah-VII. The Public Garden is open to the open to the public free of charge and it is used as a recreation place by the citizens of the district. The important placesin the public garden are Health Museum, Ajanta Pavilian and Archeological Museum. The Assembly Building is also located in the Public Garden. There is also Jawahar Bal Bhavan and Auditorium at this place |
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| Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali National Park |
| The park is located at Vanasthalipuram, at a distance of 20 km from the city and originally the area was under the Nizam. The park was established in 1977. The flora is of dry scrub jungle with grass lands. Major plant species found here are Neem, Butea (Flame of the forest), Acacias, Bauhinias etc. apart from a variety of thorny scrub species. The park is famous for the endangered Black Buck, the state animal of Andhra Pradesh. The other species of animals commonly seen are Monitor Lizards, Mongooses, Porcupines and Hares besides a variety of Snakes. The avian fauna of the park comprises over 100 species and includes Partridges, Quails, Peacocks, Doves and birds of prey like Kites, Vultures etc. A variety of migratory birds can also be seen round the year. Short-toed Eagle is another rare species nesting in this area. This center offers audio-visual education on nature and wildlife and is supported by a good nature library. An exhibition hall displaying exhibits explaining intricate problems of wildlife conservation. Tourist facilities There are sheds for rest and observation towers for viewing the animals. A van is provided to take the visitors inside the park to see the animals from close quarters. |
