Historical Hyderabad

We are going on a city tour of Hyderabad today. I am very excited to see my dad's old nook and also experience more of India.

Study in India Program, University of Hyderabad

Schedule for the City Tour – 18^th June, 2011

a) Chowhmalla Palace

b) Charminar

c) Mecca Masjid

d) Laad Bazar : known for its pearls, bangles and clothes

e) Lunch at Shadab: Excellent place for Biryani and Kebabs

f) Golconda Fort

Background Information

Charminar (Telugu: చార్ మినార్, Hindi: चार मीनार, Urdu: چار مینار,) meaning "Mosque of the Four Minarets" and "Four Towers" is the most famous mosque and monument in the city of Hyderabad, capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah , the 5th ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty built Charminar in 1591 shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to what is now known as Hyderabad.^[1]. 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." Today one can see the city as evidence of the prayer being answered.

Charminar has the signature style of Islamic architecture.^[6] This great tribute to aesthetics looks sturdy and solid from a distance but 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.

Makkah Masjid (Telugu: మక్కా మసీదు, Urdu: مکہ مسجد) is one of the oldest mosques in Hyderabad, India and one of the largest mosques in India. Makkah Masjid is a listed heritage building located in the Old City of Hyderabad close to the historic landmarks of Charminar, Chowmahalla Palace and Laad Bazaar. Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty commissioned bricks to be made from the soil brought from Mecca, the holiest site of Islam and inducted them into the construction of the central arch of the mosque, thus rendering the mosque its name.

More than 8,000 workers were employed to build the mosque. Muhammed Qutub Shah personally laid the foundation stone of the 'mosque'

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 Urdu, Chow means four and Mahalat (plural of Mahel) means palaces, hence the name Chowmahallat/four palaces. All ceremonial functions including the accession of the Nizams and receptions for the Governor-General were held at this palace. This is the oldest part of the palace, and has four palaces Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal and Aftab Mahal. It was built in the neo-classical style.

Golkonda, a ruined city of south-central India and capital of ancient Kingdom of Golkonda (c. 1364–1512), is situated 11 km west of Hyderabad.

The 13th century Golconda Fort was built by the Kakatiya kings. The city and fortress are built on a granite hill that is 120 meters (400 ft) high and is surrounded by massive crenelated ramparts. The beginnings of the fort date to 1143, when the Hindu Kakatiya dynasty ruled the area. The Kakatiya dynasty were followed by the state of Warangal, which was later conquered by the Islamic Bahmani Sultanat. The fort became the capital of a major province in the Sultanate and after its collapse the capital of the Qutb Shahi kings. The fort finally fell into ruins after a siege and its fall to Mughal emperor Aurangazeb.