Hyderabad Hotel Booking India - History and Excursions

Hyderabad Hotel - History

Hyderabad is the city where east meets west in Indian cultures. It is a city of subtle contrasts were the ancient and the modern mingle and palatial buildings co-exist with slums.

Hyderabad is an important center for Islamic culture and is the counterpart of the Mughal splendours of Delhi,Agra and Fatehpur Sikri in North India. Consisting of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, it is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and the seat of the wealthy Nizams of Hyderabad.

The foundations were laid in the year 1589 by the fifth sultan of Golconda, Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah who had a torrid romance with a Banjara woman named Bhagmati, after whom the city was first named. Later to perpetuate his wife's memory, he enlarged the fort city of Golconda and bestowed on her the title "Haider Mahal". The city later came to be known as Hyderabad.

The metropolis was once surrounded by stone walls, most of which were washed away in 1908 floods. The city originally had 13 gates, now only Puranapul Darwaza and Dabeerpura Darwaza remain, the rest have vanished.

Hyderabad has several stately mansions and public buildings built in the indo-Sara conic style including the Salar Jung Museum. These landmarks of the past stand in ageing glory, silent sentinels to the emerging concrete jungle growing around them.

Hyderabad Hotel - Excursions

There is a statue of Sri Venkateswara Swamy standing with the Goddess Bhudevi and the Goddess Sridevi beside him. Legend tells that if you make several rounds of the temple you will have your ultimate wish fulfilled.

These well laid out gardens are ideal picnic spots. Osman Sagar is 29 kms and Himayat Sagar is 20 kms from Hyderabad.

This four columned monument 'Charminar' was built by Muhammad Quli in the year 1591. Today it is the best known landmark of Hyderabad. All the four 56 m high minarets are separated by wide arches. The oldest mosque in Hyderabad is situated on the second floor. The minar is open daily to visitors.

The fort was founded in the 13th century and is one of the most remarkable forts in India. It was later rebuilt by the rulers of Qutub Sahi Dynasty, who made it their capital in the year 1525. The massive fort complex houses the ruins of palaces, assembly halls, arsenal, barracks, royal gardens and the Durbar Hall. The beautiful Durbar Hall provides a commanding view of the twin cites Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

The Mecca Masjid was started by Abdula Qutb Shah in 1614 and later completed in the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Some of the bricks are made of clay that was brought from Mecca- the holiest pilgrimage place for Muslims.

The famous Salar Jung Museum houses around 35,000 antique and art objects from different parts of the world collected by Salar Jung III, a former prime ministers of Nizams of Hydearabad. It has a rich collection of oil paintings, carpets, marble sculptures, old clocks, miniature paintings, ivory products and various objects related to different religions.

The seven kings of the Quli Qutub Sahi dynasty are buried in these marvelously built tombs which are famed for their architectural beauty.

The Hussain Sagar lake was constructed in 1562 and connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. On a rock in the lake stands the 16-meter high, 350 tonne monolithic statue of Buddha.