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During the time of General Fraser (1838-1852), a wall was constructed around the Residency and
the vacant land outside the wall was given to the public for residence.
At a later date, the gateway at the North West corner of the site opening in to the junction of the
Hashmat Ganj and Turab bazaar became the main entry and the south entry was abandoned. Two
more gateways, Landsowne gate and Roberts gate are within the walls of the wings, through which
roads lead to the northern side of the main house. The site gently slopes in the north south
direction.
Other ancillary buildings include the stable of couch horses, elephants and camel stall, five large
wells for the purpose of supplying the Residency with water, kitchen garden with ornamental
buildings (native style building known as Rang Mahal), and Pigeon house. On the south west of the
Great house the female apartment used to be there, which is considered by one of the visitor in
1815 as a very elegant and highly finished specimen of Hindoostani Architecture.
ESTABLISHMENT OF BRITISH RESIDENCY 1779-1857
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The wall was further strengthened with bastions and stone walls after the attack on the Residency in
1858 (See pic no..) and was made concrete in 1891.
Many buildings were added through the course of time as per the requirements such as the First
assistant bungalow, second assistant bungalow, the military secretary bungalow, the Residency
Surgeons bungalow, the escort officer’s bungalow etc.
Extensive repairs were done to the roof of the building in 1888. Events such as the attack on the
Residency in 1858, fire accident in the wings (printing press) and the natural calamities such as 1908
floods in the river Musi led to the extensive transformations.
STRENGTHENING OF THE BRITISH RESIDENCY 1857 - 1900
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THE RESIDENCY AND ITS CONTEXT: 1915
The construction of the British Residency on the North banks of the
River Musi, was a very important event for the city of Hyderabad.
Following the construction of this residency, there came into
existence around it a cluster of shops and dwelling houses of the
bonafide subjects of the Ruler of the State. Over this area[1] the
Resident was accorded by the Nizam’s government “unreserved
power, jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters”. This new
settlement went on gaining popularity and a considerable
population started settling here.
It became the chief suburb of the city of Hyderabad covering a large
tract of ground to the North and North-East of the city outside
Afzalgunj was known as Chaderghat. This suburb of Chaderghat
consisted of “the Residency, the Bank of Bengal, the Clubs, the
post office, St Georges church, the old and new cemeteries, the
Roman Cathedral, the public works office, and the majority of
dwelling houses belonging to the Christian employees of His
Highness the Nizam’s government. The suburb was new and
increasing[2] in size yearly. It had a municipality of its own, which
looked after the public conveniences like roads, etc, very well.
The Residency area covered three bazaars Isa Miah, Hashmat Ganj
and Kasim Gunj. A big portion of Turab bazaar was also included
in it. Hashmat Gunj contained many bungalows of the business
community, and Turab Bazar has the Bank of Bengal located in it.
The Residency is a mile away from the main city towards the
North east. The area is not less than 4 miles and according to the
census of 1901, it population was 16,904.
1] In all the places under the control of the Resident are the stations of the Hyderabad
Contingent the bazaars lying round the Hyderabad Residency, the G.I.P railway posts of
Gulbargah and Raichur; and indeed the whole railway itself whether constructed or under
construction, where it traverses the Hyderabad Country and the Military Cantonment of
Secunderabad
[2] The growth of the areas around Residency is due to the following reasons:
The administration of the new settlement was more efficient and hence enjoyed comparative
peace and security. In contrast to the civil administration which was chaotic in Hyderabad
and especially in its suburbs who therefore migrated from Karwan to the Residency Area,
because of the security it offered.
Secondly, the composition of those new settlements had of course, a prominent element of
Europeans and Eurasians with overtones of Christian cultural strains. The development of
the Residency area as a distinct cultural pocket was symbolic of British political
ascendancy.
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In 1925, Public Works Department constructed an annex (Kitchen and dining) which completely
ruined the grand views while approaching from the Empress gateway. The architectural quality of
the space in between the main house, wings and the Empress gate was lost.
The main house is the principal building in what is called the Residency, and is occupied by the
Resident himself, with the guest that he may have putting up with him.
On the grounds are quartered a detachment of cavalry who make the body guard of the resident
on state occasions, and a large number of native soldiers of the line, who furnish the details for
day and night guards at all points of Residency.
BRITISH RESIDENCY 1900 - 1949
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