Hyderabad Tourism Places

Friday, 3 January 2014

Hyderabad Tourism Places

Hyderabad is the capital of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the Musi River in the Deccan Plateau in southern India. The city has an area of 650 square kilometres (250 sq mi) and a population of 6.8 million, and the metropolitan area contains 7.7 million residents, making it the fourth most populous city and the sixth most populous urban agglomeration in the country. In 2008, the nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of Hyderabad was US$ 60 billion—ranking 4th in India and 93rd in the world.

Hyderabad was established in 1591 CE by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, whose dynasty lasted until 1658 when Mughal emperor Aurangzeb occupied Golconda Sultanate and the city became part of the Deccan province of the Mughal empire. In 1724 Asif Jah I, a Mughal viceroy, declared his sovereignty and formed the Asif Jahi Dynasty, also known as the Nizams of Hyderabad. The Nizams ruled the princely state of Hyderabad for more than two centuries, under subsidiary alliance with the British Raj. The city remained the princely state's capital from 1769 to 1948—when the Nizam signed an Instrument of Accession with the Indian Union following Operation polo. In 1956, the city was merged with Andhra State. Since 1969 Hyderabad is a major center of the Telangana movement, which demands a separate state for the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh.

Situated on the crossroads of North and South India, Hyderabad is noted for its unique culture. As the former capital of the largest and richest Princely state of India and with the patronage from Nizams, Hyderabad established local traditions in drama, art, theater, literature, architecture and cuisine. The city is a tourist destination and home to many places of interest, including the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage site of Chowmahalla Palace, and other notable landmarks such as the Charminar and Golconda fort. Hyderabad is home to several museums, Bazaars, galleries, libraries, sporting and other cultural institutions.

The city was once a global center of the diamond and pearls trade, for which it is known as City of Pearls. Since 1990s, Hyderabad has emerged as a hub for the information technology, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industries, alongside traditional and service industries. Hyderabad International Airport was adjudged the world's fifth best airport. Hyderaboad's 13 universities and business schools form a major centre for higher education and research. The city is home to the Telugu film industry known as Tollywood. The city was expanded in 2007 to form the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. As a growing metropolitan city in a developing country, Hyderabad confronts substantial urban pollution, traffic congestion, overpopulation and other logistic and socio-economic problems.
Tourism in Hyderabad places.Andhra tourism.

Popular Tourist Attractions

Charminar - a major landmark of Hyderabad with four graceful minarets located in the old city. It is built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah as a memorial for plague victims. Charminar in most occasions is used to represent the city and the state and is hailed as a unique Deccan monument. It is in the midst of Charkaman which are four archways leading to roads in all four directions of the Charminar monument.

Mecca Masjid - A Symbolic Mosque, Mecca Masjid was built 400 years back during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Qutub Shah, the 6th Qutub Shahi Sultan of Hyderabad. The three arched facades have been carved from a single piece of granite, which took five years to quarry. More than 8,000 workers were employed to build the mosque. Muhammad Qutub Shah personally laid the foundation stone of the 'mosque'.

Golconda Fort - Once abandoned by Qutub Shahis, Golconda Fort is one of the most magnificent fortress complexes in India. Seated on a hill on one side and spiraling fort on the other, its location and internal design made it one of the strongest forts in India.
Qutb Shahi Tombs - Home to various Tombs dedicated to Rulers of Qutub Shahi dynasty, located at Shaikpet, near Golconda Fort. These are an example of Deccan architecture with large minarets, huge domes, delicate marble designs and multiple inner passages.

Qutub Shahi Tombs - The structure of the tomb of Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth king, represents the first attempt at the building of a tomb on a massive scale. This magnificent tomb which is one of the largest and certainly the finest in the group is 42.5 mts high. The dome is about 18.2 mts high.

Paigah Tombs - These are recently discovered series of muslims with unique geometrical sculptures which were no where found in the world. These are located at Chandrayanagutta. Paigahs were noblemen under the reign of Nizams.

Chowmahalla Palace - It was the seat of Asaf Jahi dynasty, where the Nizam entertained his official guests and royal visitors. Initiated in 1750 by Nizam Salabat Jung and designed along the lines of the Shah's palace in Isfahan, this actually consists of a group of palaces each used as a Durbar Hall. It has now been aesthetically renovated and is also venue for conferences.

Falaknuma Palace - Built by an Italian architect through one of the Paigah nobles, Nawab Viqar al-Umra',complete in Italian marble. Louis XIV-style decor, a Mughal ambience, Italian marble staircases and ornate fountains. It has now been undertaken by Taj group to develop this as Heritage Hotel.

Salar Jung Museum - The museum houses the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world. Collections include The Veiled Rebecca and other huge collection of artifacts dating back to a few centuries. A mere day isn't enough to cover the whole museum. Apart from galleries, there is a reference Library, reading room, publication and education section, chemical conservation lab, sales counter, cafeteria etc

AP State Archaeology Museum - This is an archeological museum located inside Public gardens

Shahi Masjid - Is one of the oldest mosque built by Nizam - I(Nizamul Mulk) which is a part of Public Garden. Very Beautiful building and very peaceful place.

Shah Raju Tomb - One of the asia's biggest tomb located in Hyderabad.

Hussain Sagar is a lake in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali in 1562, during the rule of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. It was 5.7 square kilometres built on a tributary of the River Musi to meet the water and irrigation needs of the city.

Laad Bazar ( Urdu: لاد بازار‎) or Choodi Bazar ( Urdu: کھودی بازار‎) is a very old market popular for bangles located in Hyderabad. It is located on one of the four main roads that branch out from the historic Charminar.

Charminar

Mecca Masjid

Qutub Shahi - Tombs

Shah Raju Dargah Tomb

Paigah Tombs

Salar jung Museum

Falaknuma Palace

Chowmahalla palace

Golconda Fort

Hussain Sagar Lake

Historical place used as Osmania Hospital

High Court Hyderabad

Laad Bazar Charminar

Thursday, 2 January 2014

Cheap Flights To India 2014

This Airlines offers cheapest flights to India from All Countries

Air India
Jet Airways
Continental Airlines
Gulf Air
Emirates Airlines
Kingfisher Airlines
Lufthansa
KLM

Sunday, 19 May 2013

The Enchanting Taj Falaknuma Palace

Taj Falaknuma Palace

Falaknuma meaning, Star of Heaven is one of the most magnificent of its kind in the country. A castle built on a hill by Sir Vicar-ul-Umra, one of the Prime Ministers of the Nizam's dominions. It's located on top of 200 meter high hill, about 5 km from Charminar. It covers an area of 9,39,712 sq.mt. Designed by an Italian architect and built in marble, the Falaknuma was purchased by Seventh Nizam , Mir Osman Ali Khan, who used it as royal guest house. The dignitaries who visited the palace includes King George V.

L. Brooks Entwistle is the head of Goldman Sachs Group Inc.'s Asian operations. At the end of 2012, he will move into the position of an advisory director for the bank. The advisory director position is a salaried position often offered to senior people for a period of time after retirement.

Entwistle is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Pacific Council On International Policy and The Explorers Club. He serves on the board of The Aspen Institute India, The Aspen Institute Board of Trustees and Young Life. Brooks is a 2007 Henry Crown Fellow at The Aspen Institute and a member of the Bombay Chapter of The Young Presidents Organization (YPO).

Brooks Entwistle Chairman South East Asia with Laura Entwistle Visited Falaknuma Palace

Mir Osman Ali Khan Siddiqi Asaf Jah VII

Mir Osman Ali Khan Siddiqi Asaf Jah VII (Urdu: آصف جاہ‎), born Mir Osman Ali Khan Siddiqi Bahadur (Urdu): عثمان علی خان بہادر‎; 6 April 1886 – 24 February 1967), was the last Nizam (or ruler) of the Princely State of Hyderabad and of Berar. He ruled Hyderabad between 1911 and 1948, until it was merged into India. He was styled His Exalted Highness The Nizam of Hyderabad.
During his days as Nizam, he was reputed to be the richest man in the world, having a fortune estimated at US$2 billion in the early 1940s ($32.8 billion in today dollars)or 2 per cent of the US economy then. At that time the treasury of the newly independent Union government of India reported annual revenue of US$1 billion only. He was featured on the cover of TIME magazine, portrayed as such. The Nizam is widely believed to have remained as the richest man in South Asia until his death in 1967, though his fortunes fell to US$1 billion by then and became a subject of multiple legal disputes between bitterly fighting rival descendants. His wealth include a vast private treasury. Its coffers were said to contain £100m in gold and silver bullion, and a further £400m of jewels. Among them was the fabulously rare Jacob diamond, valued at some £100m (2008), and used by the Nizam as a paperweight. There were pearls, too – enough to pave Piccadilly – hundreds of race horses, thousands of uniforms, tonnes of royal regalia and Rolls-Royces by the dozen. Calculating his modern day worth by accounting for inflation, the Nizam was worth $236 billion, making him one of the wealthiest people to have ever lived.
He built the Hyderabad House in Delhi, now used for diplomatic meetings by the Government of India.

On 22 February 1937, Time magazine called the Nizam the richest man in the world. His vast inheritance was accumulated by way of mining royalties rather than land revenue. It should be noted that Hyderabad State was the only supplier of diamonds for the global market in the 19th century.
Mir Osman Ali Khan Siddiqi Bahadur acceded as Nizam of Hyderabad upon the death of his father in 1911. The state of Hyderabad was the largest of the princely states in pre-independence India. With an area of 86,000 square miles (223,000 km²), it was roughly the size of present-day United Kingdom. Its ruler was the highest-ranking prince in India, was one of only five princes entitled to a 21-gun salute, held the unique title of "Nizam", and was created "His Exalted Highness" and "Faithful Ally of the British Crown" after World War One due to his financial contribution to the British Empire's war effort. (For example, No. 110 Squadron RAFs original complement of DH.9As were Osman Ali's gift. Each aircraft bore an inscription to that effect, and the unit became known as the Hyderabad Squadron.

Mir Osman Ali Khan Siddqi Bahadur was the absolute ruler of this principality. In some accounts, he is held to have been a benevolent ruler who patronised education, science and development. His 37-year rule witnessed the introduction of electricity, railways, roads and airways were developed, the Nizamsagar lake in Hyderabad state was excavated and some irrigation projects on the Tungabhadra river were undertaken.

In 1941, Mir Osman Ali Khan Siddqi Bahadur started his own bank, the Hyderabad State Bank (now State Bank of Hyderabad) as the state's central bank, which managed the Osmania sikka, the currency of the Hyderabad state. It was the only state which had its own currency, the Hyderabadi rupee, which was different from the rest of India. Banknotes of Hyderabad gives a good reference of the banking of that period.

In 1947, the Nizam made a gift of diamond jewels, including a tiara and necklace, to Princess Elizabeth on the occasion of her marriage. The brooches and necklace from this gift are still worn by the Queen today.
Nearly all the major public buildings in Hyderabad city, such as the Osmania General Hospital, Andhra Pradesh High Court, Asafiya Library now known as State Central Library, Town Hall now known as Assembly Hall, Jubilee Hall, Hyderabad Museum, now known as State Museum, Nizamia Observatory and many other monuments were built during his reign. Up to 11% of the Nizam's budget was spent on education. Osmania University was founded while schools and colleges and even a "Department for Translation" were set up. Primary education was made compulsory and provided free for the poor. The Nizam (as well as his predecessors) have been criticised for largely ignoring the native languages in favour of Urdu.
Mir Osman Ali Khan Siddqi Bahadur donated to many institutions in India and abroad. Recipients included educational institutions such as the Jamia Nizamia, the Darul Uloom Deoband, Banaras Hindu University and Aligarh Muslim University.

Hyderabad was the only state in British India where the ruler was allowed to issue currency notes. A 100 rupee note was introduced in 1918.

He also paid for a Royal Australian Navy vessel, N-class destroyer, HMAS Nizam (G38) commissioned in 1940.Mir Osman Ali Khan Siddqi Bahadur lived at King Kothi Palace—bought from a nobleman— during his entire life, after age 13. He never moved to Chowmahalla Palace not even after his accession to the throne.

Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah

Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (1580-1612 CE) (Urdu: محمد قلی قطب شاہ‎) was the fifth sultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golkonda and founded the city of Hyderabad, in South-central India. and built its architectural centerpiece, the Charminar. He was an able administrator and his reign is considered one of the high points of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Some say he named the city in honour of Ali ibn Abu Talib, regarded as the first Imam by Shia Muslims and who alternatively was known by the name Haider, meaning "lion". There is a myth that his beloved Bhagamati was converted into muslimfold and was eventually named as Hyder Mahal and the name of the city was changed to Hyderabad after her name thereafter. Hyder is usually a male name, and there is no evidence of Bhagmati's existence. Tombs of all the nobles of Qutub Shahi dyantsy exists, but there is on record of Bhagmati's tomb. Hyder-(meaning)--Brave Haider-(meaning)--Lion He ascended to the throne in 1580 at the age of 15 and ruled for thirty-one years. Some historians say that he was 17 years of age at the time of his crowning also.
The planning of Hyderabad was greatly influenced by that of Esfahan, which Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah opined was unparalleled in the world and a replica of heaven itself.

History

Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah was the third son of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah Wali. . The city was built on the southern bank of the Musi river. Some say that Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah called architects from Iran to lay out the city, which was built on a grid plan. History mentions that he himself had studied many architectural plans and with consistent consultation of his Prime Minister Mir Muhammed Momin, he carried out roads and buildings with his help. Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah founded the city of Hyderabad in 1591.
After 1605 CE, Some say that.. Hyderabad was named as the City of Hyder (Brave) after the title of the Fourth Caliph Ali(as). Many people though, commonly believe that the city of "Hyderabad" was named after the people as their residence as "City of the Brave" from the Persian words "Hyder/Haider", Persian and Urdu meaning lion or brave and "Abad/Abaad", Persian and Urdu meaning abode or populated. The name Hyderabad was put by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah after the name of his beloved wife Bhagmati after she converted to Islam with changed name as "Hyder Mahal"in 1605 AD. History of the Quli Qutub Shah period is available in various books compiled by various authors book especially by Sri S.A.Bilgrami in his book "Land Marks of the Deccan" etc...

Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah initiated the construction of 'Charminar' (Four Minarets). While laying the foundation stone of Charminar, Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah and his wife prayed for welfare of the people in their contemplated new city. The structure of Charminar comprises four tall and massive minarets connected to each other by four high arches and this resembles the archetypal triumphal arch. This beautiful colossus in granite, lime, mortar and, some say, pulverised marble, was at one time the heart of the city. Initially the wonderful monument with its four arches was so proportionately planned that the beautiful Charminar monument could be impressively seen from the top of Golconda fort. One could even catch a glimpse of the bustling Hyderabad city as these Charminar arches were facing the most active royal ancestral streets.Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah had constructed many roads, several palaces. gardens mosques, sarais, shops. fountains etc. not only to beautify the city but for its well planned alround growth for his dream city Hyderabad.Though not scholarly educated, he has written poems in both Persian and Urdu.

Thursday, 16 May 2013

Charminar

Charminar

Charminar built in 1591 AD, is a landmark monument located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. The English name is a transliteration and combination of the Urdu words Chār and Minar, translating to "Four Towers"; the eponymous towers are ornate minarets attached and supported by four grand arches.The landmark has become a global icon of Hyderabad, listed among the most recognized structures of India.The Charminar is on the east bank of Musi river.To the northeast lies the Laad Bazaar and in the west end lies the granite-made richly ornamented Makkah Masjid.

History

Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty built Charminar in 1591 AD,shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to what is now known as Hyderabad.He built this famous structure to commemorate the elimination of a plague epidemic from this city. He is said to have prayed for the end of a plague that was ravaging his city and vowed to build a masjid (Islamic mosque) at the very place where he was praying. In 1591 while laying the foundation of Charminar, Quli Qutb Shah prayed: "Oh Allah, bestow unto this city peace and prosperity. Let millions of men of all castes, creeds and religions make it their abode, like fish in the water.Tourism in Hyderabad places.

The mosque became popularly known as Charminar because of the two Urdu words char, meaning four, and minar, meaning tower, combined to form Charminar.

It is said that, during the Mughal Governorship between Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi rule, the south western minaret "fell to pieces" after being struck by lightning and "was forthwith repaired" at a cost of Rs 60,000. In 1824, the monument was replastered at a cost of Rs 100,000.

In its heyday, the Charminar market had some 14,000 shops. Today the famous markets known as Laad Baazar and Patoher Gatti, near the Charminar, are a favour, of tourists and locals alike for jewellery, especially known for exquisite bangles and pearls respectively.

The structure is made of granite, limestone, mortar and pulverised marble. Initially the monument with its four arches was so proportionately planned that when the fort was opened one could catch a glimpse of the bustling Hyderabad city as these Charminar arches were facing the most active royal ancestral streets. There is also a legend of an underground tunnel connecting the Golkonda to Charminar, possibly intended as an escape route for the Qutb Shahi rulers in case of a siege, though the location of the tunnel is unknown.

The Charminar is a square edifice with each side 20 meters (approximately 66 feet) long, with four grand arches each facing a cardinal point that open into four streets. At each corner stands an exquisitely shaped minaret, 56 meters (approximately 184 feet) high with a double balcony. Each minaret is crowned by a bulbous dome with dainty petal like designs at the base.

A beautiful mosque is located at the western end of the open roof and the remaining part of the roof served as a court during the Qutb Shahi times.

Charminar has the signature style of Islamic architecture.This great tribute to aesthetics looks sturdy and solid from a distance and, as one moves closer, it emerges as an elegant and romantic edifice proclaiming its architectural eminence in all its detail and dignity. Charminar looks equally spectacular at night when it is illuminated. Apart from being the core of the city’s cultural milieu, it has become a brand name.

Charminar is a beautiful and impressive square monument. Each of the corners has a tall, pointed minaret. These four gracefully carved minarets soar to 48.7 m above the ground, commanding the landscape for miles around. Each minaret has four stories, marked by a delicately carved ring. Unlike the Taj Mahal, Charminar's four fluted minarets are built into the main structure. The top floor, the highest point one can reach, provides a panoramic view of the city.

A vault that appears from inside like a dome, supports two galleries within the Charminar, one over another, and above those a terrace that serves as a roof, bordered with a stone balcony. The main gallery has 45 covered prayer spaces with a large open space in front to accommodate more people for Friday prayers.

Timings: 9.00 am - 5.30 pm (Open all days)
Entry Fee: Rs. 5 for Indian Nationals, Rs. 100 for Foreign Nationals
Video: Rs. 25
Contact: +91 40 24522990 (AP Tourism)

Qutb Shahi Tombs

Qutb Shahi Tombs

The structure of the tomb of Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth king, represents the first attempt at the building of a tomb on a massive scale. This magnificent tomb which is one of the largest and certainly the finest in the group is 42.5 mts high. The dome is about 18.2 mts high. To make the onument imposing, the architect has judicially planned it on a double terrace, rising to a height of 6 meters from the ground level. The lower one is 60.8 mts. square supported by a facade of 28 open arches on each side and the upper terrace is 38.3 meters square. This tomb, a large domical structure, was designed as a picturesque gallery with false openings with two central pillars supporting horizontal lintels on the four exterior sides of the hall in order to make the base symmetrical to its otherwise heavy dome. The roof is supported by octagonal pillars topped by lotus capitals, in order to relieve monotony, rich ornamental parapets with minarets at the corners are added. The real grave where the king was buried is seen in the crypt in the midst of the lower plinth at the level of the land surface. Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah died on 11th January, 1612 A.D.

Qutb Shahi Tombs is the burial ground of the seven kings of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, situated at Ibrahim Bagh near Golconda, Hyderabad, India. These kings ruled Golconda for nearly 170 years.The Qutb Shahi rulers were great builders and patrons of learning. They not only patronized the Persian culture but also the regional culture of the Deccan, symbolized by the Farsi and Urdu languages.Just a km away from the Golconda Fort,

Timings: 9.30 am - 6.30 pm
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 to 20 for Indian Nationals, Rs. 100 for Foreign Nationals
Contact: +91 40 23513410

Chowmahalla Palace

Chowmahalla Palace

Chowmahalla Palace or Chowmahallat (4 Palaces), was a palace belonging to the Nizams of Hyderabad state. It was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and was the official residence of the Nizam.In Persian, Chahar means four and in Arabic Mahalat (plural of Mahal) means places, hence the name Chowmahallat / four places, or four palaces.All ceremonial functions including the accession of the Nizams.

This is heart of Chowmahalla Palace. It is held in high esteem by the people of Hyderabad, as it was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. The grand pillared Durbar Hall has a pure marble platform on which the Takht-e-Nishan or the royal seat was laid. Here the Nizams held their durbar and other religious and symbolic ceremonies. The 19 spectacular Chandeliers of Belgian crystal recently reinstalled to recreate the lost splendor of this regal hall.

Northern Courtyard

The northern courtyard has been painstakingly restored and is now open to the public.
The highlights of this area are the Bara Imam - a long corridor of rooms on the east side that once housed the administrative wing. And the Shishe-Alat or quite literally, the shishe or mirror image which was once used as guest rooms for officials accompanying visiting dignitaries.

The Clock Tower
Clock tower is another impressive construction. It houses what is affectionately called the Khilwat Clock which has been ticking away ever since the Palace was built.

The Council Hall

Council Hall which housed a rare collection of manuscripts and priceless books is where the Nizam often met important officials. Today it is the venue for temporary exhibitions from the treasures of the Chowmahalla Palace Collection that offer you a glimpse of a bygone era.

Named after the sixth Nizam’s mother, Roshan Bangla is another exquisite part of this courtyard. Chowmahalla, where the Nizams held their durbar and other religious and symbolic ceremonies also hosted popular banquets in honor of their Royal Highness's the Prince and Princess of Wales in February 1906.

Collection
The 100 year old Rolls Royce Silver Ghost now estimated at about $4 million lies in splendid beauty at the exquisite Chowmahalla Palace, the residence of the Nizam of Hyderabad, India. In celebration of the Rolls Royce hitting a century the Chowmahalla Palace authorities are planning an event to be held next month. In 1911, Nizam VI had ordered this very same car from the Rolls Royce

factory in Great Britain.

However a couple of years ago this royal yellow car was in a pathetic state. Dr Ameenuddin Khan, Administrator, Nizam’s private estates stepped in and convinced the royal family to do justice to the legendary vehicle by getting it duly restored.