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The capital of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad is an important
centre for Islamic culture. It consists of the twin cities of Hyderabad and
Secunderabad and is a bustling 400-year-old metropolis with an urban population
of 6 million people approximately. Hyderabad is famous as the former seat of
the fabulously wealthy Nizams of Hyderabad. Built on thebanks of the river
Musi, and surrounded by huge prehistoric rock formations like petrified, gray
elephants, Hyderabad is a blend of the fairy tale and earthy, a pot pourri of
old and new.
The princely state of Hyderabad, which occupied the greater part of the Deccan,
was by far the largest of India's princely states. In 1956 the state of
Hyderabad was divided between Maharashtra, Mysore, and Andhra Pradesh. City is
well known for its crowded bazaars, surrounded by huge and impressive Islamic
monuments. The extensive ruins of Qutab Shahi tombs and its nearby tombs are a
major attraction. Charminar, the huge triumphal arc, is one of the most famous
landmark of the city. Next to Charminar lies the Mecca Masjid, one of the
world's largest mosque.
Hyderabad is the fifth largest cosmopolitan city in India, rich in culture,
enduring history and industrial growth. It is unique in being one of the few
cities where tradition and technology co-exist. With a dynamic leadership, the
state is steering the nation to new dimensions in the fields of Information
Technology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, and Business Management to emerge
as a city of immense business opportunities.
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| CHARMINAR |
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At the heart of the hustle-bustle of the old walled city,
amidst all the congestion, is the Charminar - the massive arch built by
Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah, in 1591 to propitiate the evil forces from destroying
his new city with the plague. The symbol of the city, the Charminar, looming at
a height of 56 m, is an impressive square gateway with four minarets. The arch
is illuminated daily in the evening, an unforgettable sight indeed
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MECCA MASJID
Near the Charminar is the Mecca Masjid, one of the largest in the world, said
to accomodate upto 10,000 worshippers. The foundation of the mosque was laid
during the reign of Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah, in 1614, but it was completed
only in 1687, when the Golconda Kingdom was annexed by Emperor Aurangzeb.
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| SALAR JUNG MUSEUM |
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One of Hyderabad's prime
attractions is the Salar Jung Museum, the world's largest one man collection,
the 35 rooms of which house around 35,000 exhibits. These include unusual
collections of jade, marble statues, rare manuscripts, Persian miniature
paintings, Chinese porcelain and other objets d'art. The credit for this
invaluable collection goes to Mir Yusaf Ali Khan Salar Jung the 3rd, the Prime
Minister of Nizam, a great connoisseur of art.
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TOMBS of QUTUB SHAHI
The stately tombs of the Qutab Shahi rulers lie just outside
the outer wall of the Golconda fort. They lie amidst beautifully - kept
gardens, and a number of them have intricately carved stonework.
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NEHRU ZOOLOGICAL PARK
Hyderabad also boasts of one of the largest zoos in India,
the Nehru Zoological Park, with adjuncts like a prehistoric animal section, a
toy train, and a lion safari.
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BIRLA MANDIR |
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The Birla Mandir (Naubat
Prahad), a splendid temple built entirely out of white marble, stands on a
hill, which overlooks the south end of Hussain Sagar.
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