Booklet on Hyderabad

1. Hyderabad
City of Pearls

2. Preface
With tears of joy and hands raised to Allah in gratitude, we the
mumineen of Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Hussainialam
whole heartedly welcome our beloved Aqa and Maula Syedna
Ale Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS) to the City of Pearls.
Words cannot describe the joy we feel to finally have our
beloved Maula in our midst after a long wait of over 12 years.
We are sure that with the Nazar e karam and dua mubarak of
Huzurala (TUS) we will flourish in both Deen and duniya for
generations to come.
May Allah Subhanahu keep our Maula in excellent health till
roze qayamat and may He give us taufiq to strive for Maula's
khushi always. Amin.

3. Hyderabad
Known for its grand architecture, gastronomic delights and
syncretic Ganga-Jamuna tehzeeb, Hyderabad’s history is fraught
with war and intrigue. The Golconda Fort was seized from the
reigning Bahamani Sultanate in 1518 falling to the rulers of the
Qutb Shahi dynasty. In 1591 the capital was relocated to the
south bank of the Musi River where Hyderabad was born.
In 1687, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb seized Golconda,
terminating the Qutb Shahi rule. But after the death of
Aurangzeb, with the Mughals’ power waning, the viceroy of the
Deccan, Nizam ul-Mulk (or Asaf Jah I), established an
independent state in 1724. Thus was launched the Asaf Jahi
dynasty of the fabulously wealthy Nizams of Hyderabad.
Under Asaf Jah II’s patronage, Hyderabad rose to become the
centre of Islamic India and a focus for the arts and culture. Its
abundance of rare gems and minerals – the Kohinoor diamond
was mined here – furnished the Nizams with enormous wealth.
They ruled the region until 1948, when Hyderabad became part
of the Indian union.
In the 1990s Hyderabad spearheaded the country’s cyber boom.
International software companies set up shop here, adding to
the city's reputation as one of India's most progressive cities.
The following pages will take you on a journey through some of
the city’s most iconic sights, its culinary heavyweights and the
elements that create the quintessential Hyderabadi experience.

5. Charminar
Built in 1951AD by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth sultan
of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, Charminar is Hyderabad’s pride and
joy. The stories surrounding its construction are numerous,
though it is widely accepted that it was built to commemorate
the eradication of the then widespread plague. Another more
romantic version claims that the king had the structure erected
at the very spot where he first laid his eyes on his future begum,
Bhagmati. The oldest mosque in Hyderabad, it is believed to
have been a marker for the centre point of the city.

7. Golconda Fort
Originally belonging to the rulers of the Kakatiya dynasty,
Golconda eventually became the capital of the Qutb Shahi
dynasty and later the Asaf Jahs or Nizams, before the relocation
of the capital closer to Charminar. This fortified citadel once
protected an ancient city at the heart of the diamond empire. A
design marvel, it is known for its sheer size and the many
architectural tricks that highlight its acoustics. Wandering
through its vaulted chambers is a journey into the past.

9. Qutb Shahi Tombs
Not far from the Golconda Fort lie the Qutb Shahi Tombs in the
Qutb Shahi Heritage Park. One of the most significant historical
necropolises in the world, the park comprises the mausoleums
of the Qutb Shahi rulers, step wells, a hamam and a number of
small mosques. The seven tombs and other monuments in the
complex blend Persian, Pathan and Hindu architectural styles.

11. Salar Jung Museum
A repository of the collections of Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan
(popularly known as Salar Jung III) and his successors, the
museum houses artefacts from around the world. Salar Jung III
was the Prime Minister of Hyderabad Deccan during the reign
of the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan. Of the countless
treasures displayed in the museum, the marble statue called the
Veiled Rebecca - carved out of a single block of stone - and the
wooden double-sided sculpture of Mephistopheles and
Margaretta are of special significance for their exquisite beauty
and expert craftsmanship.

13. Chowmahalla Palace
The sprawling Chowmahalla Palace is more than 150 years old
and is made up of four grandiose buildings and garden
courtyards. It was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and the
official residence of the Nizams. The Durbar Hall, or Khilawat
Mubarak, is particularly spectacular. The palace is also known
for its display of the Nizams’ vintage car collection.

15. Taj Falaknuma Palace
Restored to its former Grander by the TATA group, the
scorpion-shaped Falaknuma Palace is a masterpiece of
architectural design. Once the residence of the Prime Minister
of Hyderabad, Vikar-ul-Umra, the 1884 neoclassical palace was
later given to the sixth Nizam, Mir Mahboob Ali Khan.

17. HITEC City
The Hyderabad Information Technology and Engineering
Consultancy City, abbreviated to HITEC City, is the seat of
Hyderabad’s booming tech industry. Home to the offices of a
multitude of major technology companies such as Microsoft,
Accenture, Wipro and Oracle, it covers an area of more than 200
acres. HITEC City is known for its iconic buildings such as Cyber
Towers (pictured) and Cyber Gateway.

19. Mecca Masjid
One of the world’s largest mosques, the Mecca Masjid has a
capacity of almost 10000 people. It earns its name from the
bricks embedded above the prayer hall’s central arch, which are
reportedly made with soil from Mecca. Construction began in
1614 under the city's founder Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, who
envisioned the construction of a grand mosque. Unfortunately,
he was overthrown before its completion. It was completed
under the reign of the ‘tasteless’ Aurangzeb, the Mughal ruler,
who many claim is responsible for the mosque’s
disproportionate outcome.

21. Maula Ali ka Pahad
Constructed during the reign of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah, Maula
Ali ka Pahad is a famous pilgrimage site for followers of
Rasulullah (SAW) and his son-in-law Maula Ali . The entrance to
the site is believed to contain a palm impression of Maula Ali
and for this reason is considered sacred. The climb to the top of
the hill where the dargah is situated provides spectacular views
across the city and is especially beautiful at sunset.

23. Hussain Sagar
Once known as the City of Lakes, Hyderabad was renowned for
its many water bodies - some natural, some man made. The
heart-shaped Hussain Sagar lake is one among them, and today
stands as one of the last remaining testaments to the city’s lake
heritage. Built by Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah in 1563, it is fed by
the River Musi. The lake is home to a proud monolithic statue of
Gautama Buddha, which stands tall on a small island – Rock of
Gibraltar - in the centre of the lake.

25. Ramoji Film City
If Mumbai has Bollywood, Hyderabad has Ramoji Film City!
Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest
integrated film city in the world, it is spread out across 2000
acres of land. Built by Telugu film producer Ramoji Rao in 1996,
the city is full of live action sets, sprawling gardens and
activities for all ages.

27. Nehru Zoological Park
Indubitably one of India’s most well-kept and largest zoos, the
Nehru Zoological Park gives importance to breeding rare and
endangered species of Indian fauna, with special emphasis on
species of the Deccan peninsula. It boasts a healthy population
of tigers, deer, monkeys and birds, as well as an intriguing
nocturnal section that houses a variety of owls, bats and other
denizens of the night.

29. Birla Mandir
Sparkling in the sunlight atop the 280ft Kalapahad hillock, Birla
Mandir is an amalgamation of three styles - South Indian, Utkal
Temple and Rajasthani architecture. Constructed using 2000
tonnes of white Rajasthani marble, the temple is a popular
Hindu worship centre. It features an 11ft tall statue of Lord
Lakshminarayana with a magnificent lotus carved around it.

31. Paigah Tombs
Housing the tombs of 27 members of the Paigahs, the first noble
family to marry into the Nizams’ family, the Paigah Tombs are
poetry in marble and lime. Open to the sky, they are surrounded
by intricate stucco trellises, domes embellished with Turkish
and Grecian patterns, and exquisitely carved wooden doors.
The jalis of each chamber display a different geometric pattern,
each one bearing a compelling blend of Asaf Jahi and Rajputani
styles of architecture.

33. Bibi ka Alam
Every year, on the auspicious occasion of the 10th of Muharram,
devout Shi’a Muslims make their way through the streets of the
city carrying the Bibi ka Alam, or the emblem of Bibi Fatima,
Rasulullah’s (SAW) daughter. It is believed that within the alam
is enclosed a relic - a plank of wood upon which Bibi Fatima
was given her final ablution before burial. The alam is taken out
as part of a procession which mourns and commemorates the
martyrdom of Rasulullah’s (SAW) grandson and Bibi Fatima’s
son, Imam Hussain in the Battle of Karbala. The tradition of
Azadari, or mourning the death of Imam Hussain and his
followers, was conducted with high regard under state
supervision throughout the Qutb Shahi reign.

35. Hyderabad’s pearls
Landlocked though it may be, Hyderabad’s reputation for its
pearl jewellery is world renowned. The city owes this to the
Nizams, the ostentatious rulers who had a fine eye for culture,
craftsmanship, and a particular fondness for the aquatic
treasure. As word of their fondness for the expensive ornament
spread, jewellery merchants from across the world flocked to
the city. Soon, trade flourished and it wasn’t long before people
everywhere were talking about Hyderabad’s famous pearls.

37. Biryani
Believed to have originated in the kitchens of the Nizam of
Hyderabad, the ubiquitous Hyderabadi biryani is synonymous
with the city and its heritage. A wholesome meal of fragrant rice
cooked with an array of spices and morsels of succulent meat, it
is believed that the dish was created to fortify the soldiers
serving the Nizam’s army. Legend has it that Empress Mumtaz
Mahal, chief consort of Emperor Shah Jahan, once visited the
barracks, only to find the soldiers under-nourished and weak.
She ordered the royal chef to prepare a wholesome meal to
strengthen the men, and thus biryani was born. Eventually, it
found its way to the masses and into their hearts. Today,
recipes for the dish made in the kitchens of Hyderabad’s
erstwhile families are closely guarded secrets.

39. Haleem
Made from wheat, lentils, meat and copious amounts of ghee, all
of which are cooked and pounded to form a rich paste, this
Ramadan speciality is a Hyderabadi delicacy. Originally an
Arabic dish, it was introduced to the Hyderabad State by the
Chaush people during the rule of the Nizams. It made its way
into the Nizam’s kitchens in the early 1930s and ever since then
has been a favourite of hungry, fasting Hyderabadis.