Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh and is one of the major tourist attractions Andhra. It is described as the heritage city of Qutub Shahi rulers and is also known as the city of Nizams. The city of Hyderabad was constructed in 1592 and was modelled after Isfaan in Iran. It was built under the direct supervision of Mir Momin, the Prime Minister of the greatest of Qutub Shahi ruler Muhammad Quli. Hyderabad was an autonomous princely state of south-central India from 1724 until 1948. It was dominated by hills, tanks, forests, and rock formations and the city was originally named Bhagnagar meaning the city of good fortune. It later came to be known as Hyderabad. It is famous for its rich historical past, art and craft, jewellery, culture, poetry and architecture. The city has many tourist attractions like Charminar, Golconda Fort, Falaknuma Palace, Mecca Masjid, Hussain Sagar Lake, Venkateswara temple (Birla Mandir) and Qutub Shahi tombs. The city of Hyderabad has an old world charm together with modern developments.

Tourist Attractions

The Charminar

Charminar is the first picture that comes to anybody's mind whenever there is mention of Hyderabad. Charminar is a fine piece of Qutab Shahi architecture and was built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in 1591. It is built in the Cazia style of architecture and comprises granite, pulverised marble and lime-mortar. It is of square construction and at each corner there is a tall minaret which measures more than 55 meters and it also has a double balcony. The monument is constructed in the style of Islamic architecture. The arch was built to commemorate the end of a deadly plaque in Hyderabad. On the western end of Charminar's roof is a very beautiful mosque.

The Mecca Masjid

The Mecca Masjid is an example of great Islamic style of architecture. Mecca Masjid is the oldest and the biggest mosque situated in Hyderabad. It is believed that the contruction of the mosque was started by Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah in 1617, the construction was later completed in 1694 by the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. The Mecca Masjid of Hyderabad is located just 100 yards away from the famous and historic Charminar. The mosque complex has a huge courtyard where 10000 people can offer prayers at a time.

Hussain Sagar Lake

The Hussain Sagar Lake was built by Ibrahim Qutab Shah in 1550. It is a large artificial lake built between the cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. There is a huge statue of Lord Buddha at the very centre of the lake. The 24 km lake was built on a tributary of the River Musi to meet the water and irrigation needs of the city.

Golconda Fort

Golconda Fort is regarded as one of the best built fortress complexes in India and lies on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The construction of this majestic fort was started by the Kakatiyas of the 13th century and was later on completed by the Qutub Shahi kings of 16th and 17th century. The fort is built on a granite hill 120 metres high. Legends say that in the 12th century, a shepherd boy came across an idol on a rocky hill. When the matter was reported to the Kakatiya kings a mud fort was immediately constructed by the king. Later on, the Qutub Shahi kings who ruled over the place in 16th century converted the mud fort into a massive fort of granite. The fort is a combination of four different forts. The outer wall of the fort is 10 km long and these walls have 87 semi circular bastions where the fitted canons could still be seen. There also are royal apartments and halls, temples and mosques inside. The lowest point of the fort is the outermost enclosure to which one can enter through the 'Fateh Darwaza' or Victory gate. It was so named after Aurunzeb captured the fort by marching through the gate. The 'Bala Hisar' pavilion is the highest point of the fort almost a kilometre away.

The Salarjung Museum

The Salar Jung Museum is an art museum situated at Dar-Ul-Shifa on the southern bank of the Musi river in Hyderabad. It is the third largest museum in India housing the biggest one-man collection of antiques in the world. The museum displays the Hyderabad Nawab's collection of European art, glass, bronze and ivory. There are some other items from the past that include porcelain, illuminated manuscripts and weapons.

Warangal

Warangal is situated some 157 kms away from Hyderabad and is famous for the thousand pillar temple and Ramappa Temple. These temples flourished under the patronage of Kakatiya rulers. Some other attractions in the city include a musical garden, a rock garden, an archaeological museum and the Warangal Fort.

Nagarjunakonda

Nagarjunakonda is a place near Hyderabad and is a Buddhist heritage delight. The Satvahanas had built a grand stupa here. Before the Nagarjunasagar Dam project was started, archaeologists had dug up the ruins of Vijaipuri, an ancient city and set them on Nagajunakonda hill. There is a huge statue of Buddha which could be seen in Nagarjunakonda.

Travel

Air: Hyderabad is connected to the rest of the world by both national and international flights. Flights operate between Hyderabad and other prominent destinations of India on a regular basis.

Rail: There are Express train services between Hyderabad and many other Indian destinations including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

Road: There is a wide network of roads linking Hyderabad with other major cities in India.

Related Topics
Andhra Pradesh