Historical Monuments

Charminar


Charminar – the principal landmark of the city is among the wonders of India. It was built by the ruler Quli Qutab Shah in honour of his Hindu wife Bhagmati.

Charminar

According to legends, this is the place where the king first saw his lover and was attracted by her beauty. The monument is surrounded by a very busy market place and is located in a prominent area of the old city.


This magnificent edifice has four huge minars or pillars, hence called Charminar. Built to a height of 56.7meters (186 feet) and on a square base of 31.5 meters (100 feet), Charminar is said to be a prototype of Tazia, a representation of the tomb of Imam Husain. The monument has the same importance as that of Statue of Liberty in USA and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Charminar is one of the most famous buildings representing the historical remains of not only Hyderabad and Deccan region but the whole India.




Golconda Fort


This fort, originally built by the Kakatiyas, the rulers of the neighboring state, was made with mud. Later, the Shahis

Golconda Fort

converted it into a marvelous piece of architecture using advanced acoustics wherein sound signals could pass from the entrance of the fort to the top without the use of any electric gadgets. There is a sound and light show in the evening which is quiet popular.


The grand fortress is protected by three formidable lines of defense. The first, an outer fortification made up of granite blocks. The middle wall surrounds the base of the hill and the innermost one follows the contours of the highest ridge. The fort was famous for its great hoard of diamonds, mined nearby. The Kohinoor diamond was a celebrated jewel of the fort, now a part of the British Crown Jewels.


Legislative Assembly


Formerly known as the Hyderabad Town hall, the Andhra Pradesh

Legislative Assembly

legislative assembly is the seat of administration in the state. It was built in the year 1913. The architecture of the building represents a fusion of Rajasthani and Persian styles, with an all white, aesthetic look. The Citizens of Princely state ofHyderabad raised money to build it to mark the 40th birthday of Nizam Mahboob Ali Khan in 1905. A large public garden surrounds the assembly building which offers panorama to the environment. A massive statue of Mahatma Gandhi in a sitting posture is erected at the entrance park to the Assembly.


Qutb Shahi Tombs


The Hyderabad Palace is a worth exploring monument situated at Palace Guttahalli in Hyderabad.

Qutb Shahi Tombs

It was built by Chamaraja Wodeyar, Maharaja of Mysore in 1887. The Palace has turreted parapets, battlements, fortified towers and arches. The palace was constructed at a price of Rs. One lakh.


The king Chamaraja Wodeyar, during his visit to England had seen several structures of architectural importance but was greatly inspired by the Windsor Castle in London; hence he decided to build a palace in Tudor style.


The entire palace is spread over an area of about 430 acres; the Palace is famous for its elegantly carved woodwork. It is surrounded by a garden all around, almost giving it a fairytale setting. The structure has fortified towers decorated with Gothic windows, battlements and turrets. Thanks to the king for his endeavor in bringing such a beautiful palace.


Falaknuma Palace


Situated on a hillock 2000 ft above the ground level, Falaknuma palace is one among the most opulent palaces in Hyderabad. It was built in the year 1872 by

Falaknuma Palace

Nawab Vikarul-Umra Bahadur, a baron of Paigah and the Prime Minister of Hyderabad. A huge amount of money was spent for the interior decoration, with tooled leather ceilings created by Florentine craftsman, furniture brought from France and marble imported from Italy.


The palace offers a panoramic view of the city and boasts a well laid garden in front of it. The imperial building is built in a classical style with a two-storeyed deep and colonnaded verandah carrying a pediment. The facade elements are notably European as the main palace was designed by English architects. The palace is now being converted into a luxurious hotel. The palace is just 4 km south of Charminar.


Salar Jung Museum


The museum has one of the biggest collections of over 40,000 objects which once belonged to Mir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III, Prime Minister of Hyderabad between 1899 and 1949.

Salar Jung Museum

The most precious objects in the museum include Mughal jade collection, miniature paintings, bronze sculpture, inlaid ivory objects and medieval Islamic manuscripts. Famous sculptures including the Veiled Rebecca and Marguerite and Mephistopheles, a superb collection of daggers belonging to Queen Noor Jahan and the Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb's sword and many other fabulous items are also included in the museum for display.


Location: On the Banks of River Musi, Hyderabad


Entry Fee: 10/- for Indians Rs.150/- for Foreigners


Timing: 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Birla Science Museum


B.M. Birla Science Center and technological museum is located in the heart of the picturesque city of Hyderabad on the panoramic hillock of Naubat Pahad. The Science Center comprises few sections such as a Planetarium, a Science Museum, and the Center for Applicable Mathematics and Computer Sciences. The centre provides the masses with some fundamental knowledge on science and also disseminates awareness among people. The Museum is sometime referred to as "an everyman's university".


Birla Planetarium is a section of the science centre. This is a beautiful dome shaped structure opened by Late Mr. N.T. Rama Rao, on 8th September 1985. The planetarium houses a fully computerized projector to view the sky. Regular shows, both in Telugu and English are held on various themes of astronomy- twinkling stars, meteoroids, comets, constellations, rotating solar system and other cosmic events.


Planetarium: 10.30 A.M. to 3.00 P.M.


Closed: Last Thursday of every month


Science Museum: 10.30 A.M. to 8.15 P.M.


Closed : Last Thursday of every month


AP State Museum


The Andhra Pradesh state Archeological Museum is located on the Assembly Road, north of the Railway station. It has a large collection of Buddhist art, some

AP State Museum

fine chola bronzes, Roman coins, and even an Egyptian mummy. You can also find replicas of murals and sculptures from the Ajanta and Ellora caves. Some sculptures date back to Satavahana and Ikshvaku periods in ancient Andhra. The museum also has a uniquecollection of paintings and sculptures of contemporary artists.


Location: Near Public Gardens, Hyderabad


Timing: 10.30 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. (Except Monday)


Nizam's Jubilee Pavilion Museum


One of the most important places of tourist delight in Hyderabad is Nizam's Jubilee Pavilion Museum. It is situated near Purani Haveli, a place acquired by Nizam II around 1750. The museum has a vastcollection of objects including gifts and mementos presented to the last Nizam on the occasion of the silver jubilee celebrations in 1936. There are also models made in silver of all the prominent buildings of the city and citations in Urdu about H.E.H. Mir Osman Ali Khan, gold burnished wooden throne used for the silver jubilee celebrations, gold tiffin box inlaid with diamonds, gold model of Jubilee Pavilion, silver coffee cups studded with diamonds.