|
Hyderabad
/ Secunderabad
Population
: 4.7 million
Main
Languages
: Telugu.
Telephone
area code
: 0842
Best
time to visit
: October to March
The
capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad is an important
center of Islamic culture and central India’s counterpart
to Mughal splendours of the northern cities of Delhi, Agra
and Fatehpur Sikri.
Most
of the impressive monuments date from the 16th
and 17th centuries and the city retains much of
its 19th century atmosphere. The city was founded
in 1590 by Muhammad Quli, the founder of Qutab Shahi kings
who ruled this part of the Deccan from 1512 to 1687, when
the last king was defeated by Aurangzeb. In 1707, after Aurangzeb’s
death, the Mughal control waned in this part of the country
and the Asif Jahi viceroys formed their own independent state.
Later, they allied with the French but after the fall of the
French and frequent Maratha raids, their strength was weakened
and finally they were forced to sign a treaty with British
relinquishing most of their power.
Before
Hyderabad, the Qutab Shahi kings ruled from the fortress city
of Golconda, 11 km from Hyderabad. The fort and the nearby
tombs are a major attraction of the city.
Places of Interest
Charminar
In
the heart of the city and surrounded by bazaars, this huge
triumphal arch was built by Mohammad Quli Qutab Shah in 1591
to commemorate the end of plague in Hyderabad.
Mecca
Masjid
This
is one of the largest mosques in the world and is said to
accommodate upto 10,000 worshippers. Construction began in
1614, during the reign of Muhammad Quli Qutab Shah, but was
not finished until 1687, by which time the Mughal emperor
Aurangzeb had annexed the kingdom.
Buddha
Purnima
Hyderabad
boats one of the largest stone Buddhas in the world. The statue
is 17.5m high and weighs approximately 350 tonnes.
Salar Jung
Museum
The
museum contains 35,000 exhibits from all corners of the world
and includes sculptures, woodcarvings, religious objects,
Persian miniature painting, illuminated manuscripts, armour
and weaponry. Also on display are the swords, daggers of Mughal
emperors and of Tipu Sultan.
Golconda
Fort
The
fort dates from the time of Qutab Shahi kings (16th
to 17th centuries) and is one of the most magnificent
fortress complexes in India. The origins of the fort have
been traced to the earlier Hindu periods when the Yadavas
and, later the Kakatiyas ruled this part of India.
Golconda
remained the capital until 1590, when the court was moved
to the new city of Hyderabad. The citadel
is built on a granite hill 120 m high and is surrounded
by crenellated ramparts constructed of large masonry blocks.
The massive gates are studded with large pointed iron spikes.
Outside the citadel
stands another crenellated rampart with a perimeter
of 11 km.
One
of the most remarkable features of
Golconda fort it its system of acoustics. The sound
of hands clapped in the Grand Portico can be heard in the
Durbar Hall at the very top of the hill.
Tomb
of Qutab Shahi Kings
The
tombs are surrounded by landscaped gardens and a number of
them have beautifully carved stonework. The tombs stand at
a distance of 1.5 kms from the fort.
Other
places of interest include the Archeological
Museum, which has a small collection of
archeological finds from the area and the Nehru
Zoological Park, which is one of the largest zoos in India
and is spread out over 1.2 sq. km.
Nagardjunakonda
& Nagarjuna Sagar
At
a distance of 150 kms from Hyderabad, Nagarjunakonda was one
of the largest and most important Buddhist centres in Southern
India from the 2nd century BC until the 3rd
century AD.
The
site was discovered in 1926. Subsequent excavations have unearthed
the remains of stupas, viharas, chaityas and mandapams, as
well as some outstanding examples of white marble carvings
and sculptures depicting the life of Buddha.
HOW
TO REACH
By Air
Daily
flight from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkatta, Bangalore
By
Train
Trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkatta, Bangalore.
|
|
|
|
|
