Hyderabad – the capital and largest city of the Telangana in India, located at the Musi River, on the Deccan Plateau. 4th most populous city in India, with a population of about 6.9 million. Housing the winter office of the President of India.
In the past known for pearl industry (“City of Pearls”) and Golconda Diamonds, today Hyderabad is a cultural (Telugu film industry – second largest film producer in India) and technology center (HITEC City, biotechnology) and it is listed as UNESCO creative city of gastronomy.
Hyderabad was established by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (5th ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty), who shifted his capital in 1591 from Golconda to Hyderabad. In 1687, ater a 8-month-long siege of Golconda fort, the city became a part of Mughal Empire and it was ruled by Mughal governor. In 1724 the sovereign Hyderabad state was established by the governor Nizam Asaf Jah, the founder of the Asaf Jahi dynasty – the Nizams, who ruled until 1948, when hyderabad was integrated into the Indian Union.
There are many theories about origins of city’s name. According to one of them Hyderabad means “Lion city” (haydar – lion, and ābād – city), to the other – it was originally called Baghnagar (“City of Gardens”).
See also:
Old City: Charminar and the Old City | Mecca Masjid
Golconda Fort and Qutb Shahi tombs
Nizam’s palaces: Chowmahalla Palace and Purani Haveli – Nizam’s Museum
temple: Birla Mandir
parks and lakes: Hussain Sagar and Lumbini Park, Public Gardens
HITEC City and Shilparamam (park-village with arts and crafts for sale)
cuisine: Eating out in Hyderabad
