Monuments In Hyderabad

The capital city of Andhra Pradesh and one of the important technology hubs of Southern India, Hyderabad definitely totes up as one of the most important cities in India. Erstwhile, home to the Kakaityas, Qutb Shahi, and the Mughal dynasties, it is not very surprising to see so an interesting line-up of impressive monuments in Hyderabad. Charminar, Golconda Fort, Chowmahalla Place, Qutb Shahi Tomb are some of the most exemplary work of architecture that attracts throngs of tourists from all corners of the world. Each of these structures is a masterwork in itself and represents the architectural skill and esthetic taste of the people of Hyderabad. The city is chock-full of life and friendly people, making it a joyful experience while touring the city. The best time to visit Hyderabad is during winters as the heat wave is relatively endurable during this time. To explore more on the monuments in Hyderabad, read on.

Monuments Of Hyderabad

Charminar
Built in 1591 by the fifth ruler of Qutb Shah Dynasty, the Charminar is a majestic square shaped building that replicates Islamic architectural style and hinges itself on four different towers. A staircase leads you to the topmost tower that offers a vantage view of the entire city. The towers are 48.7m high with intricate carvings and beautiful ornate work. According to an old myth, the mosque is said to have a secret passage that connects Charminar and Golconda together. On Fridays, the mosque is packed with devotees who come to offer prayers here.

Golconda Fort
Located towards the west of the city, the Golconda Fort is an architectural wonder in itself. This splendid fortress was built by Kakatiya kings and later became the stronghold for the Qutub Shah rulers during the 16th century. The fortress is seated on a hill with beautiful open porches, gardens, halls, temples, mosques, stables and different entrances, with drawbridges on all sides making this structure an engineering genius. The main attractions inside the fort are the durbar hall, bala hissar, rahban cannon and the Kala Mandir. The palace is a spectacular sight that speaks volumes about the rich heritage that existed during the bygone eras. Today, it is distressing to see such a beautiful structure wither away. Golconda Fort is worth visiting and should be added to your tour.

Qutb Shah Tombs
Qutb Shah Tomb is another important monument and is located in the center of the city. The tomb consists of seven successors to the thrown and a popular tourist destination. The structure is constructed out of grey colored granite that has Indian and Persian inscriptions on each of the crypt. This domed building has an attractive archway that is raised with square shaped walls on all sides. The vault has a beautiful well laid lawn making this a popular picnic spot among the locals. Another reason to visit this place is for the ‘Deccan festivals’ conducted by State tourism board which showcase the culture and traditions in this region.

Chowmahalla Palace
Constructed in 1750 by the Nizams of Hyderabad the palace was completed in 1869. The word ‘chow’ in Urdu means four and ‘mahal’ means palace. This believed that the palace was inspired by the Shah palace in Tehran. The palace consists of four smaller fortresses Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal and Aftab Mahal each of them has an individual courtyard with impressive halls that entertained royal guest and members of the higher social ranking. ‘Khilwat Mubarak’ is one of the most impressive halls in the palace with marble podium and large brilliantly lit chandeliers. The hall has total sum of 19 crystal chandeliers from Belgium. The clock tower is again another striking tower that comprises of a 250 year old grand clock that has been ticking away for decades and is still in good condition. Also stroll through the council hall and roshan bangala you will find a few rare documents, valuable books, well maintained gardens and fountains. Located on Moti Gali the palace speaks about the past glory of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.

Asman Garh Palace
The word ‘asman’ in Hindi refers to sky while ‘garh’ is translated as home which literally means house in the sky. This towering palace was built in 1885. Mohammed Mazharuddin Khan, who was closely related to the second Nawab of Hyderabad, erected this building. It was his desire to construct a home at the highest point in the city and so he built his palace on a hilltop, on the way to Malakpet and Dilsukhnagar. The palace has a signature style of European Gothic design. The palace also has a small museum that showcases a few ancient artifacts belonging to the family. Currently Asman Garh palace is converted into a school.

Falaknuma Palace
Owned by the Nizam family, the palace served as a guesthouse to the royal members and dignitaries. The palace was built in the form a scorpion with Italian marble. The main attraction of this palace is its interiors, which is beautifully decorated with frescos, spacious ballrooms, a lavish dining room and a fine library. The Falaknuma Palace also has some of the exceptional pieces of furniture, paintings, statues, books manuscripts and ‘Jade collection’. The jade collection found in the palace is said to be finest in the world. The palace also has an extensive collection of Venetian chandeliers. Located close to Chaminar and well known for its panoramic view, the palace remained as the private property of the royal family until recent times. Today however, the palace is renovated and converted into a luxury hotel.

Taramati Baradari
Located close to Gandipet Lake, Taramati Baradari was built by Abdullah Qutb Shah for his beloved chatelaine. The garden in the palace is fashioned after the Persian style. Legend has is that the monument was a tribute to Taramati whose beautiful voice had lured the prince to fall in love with her, while some other believe that Taramati and Permamati were dancing girls who mesmerized the prince. The main attraction in this monument is the garden and its unique design of the structure.

King Kothi Palace
The palace was an official residence of the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. History reveals that the Nizam moved in to this palace when he was just 13 years of age and continued to stay here even after his succession to the throne in 1911. Parts of the palace were renovated in European style with complicated woodwork and slanting tiled rooftops. Presently, the palace is serves as a hospital and is worth a visit.