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Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh is a bustling 400 year old metropolis
with an urban population of 7 million people approximately. The city is cosmopolitan,
and is richly endowed with a variety of cultures. The city presents an attractive
amalgam of old world charm together with the ebullience of growth and enterprise.
Beautiful old edifices built in the medieval, moghul, colonial and Indo-Saracenic
styles abound, rubbing shoulders with large glass and chrome temples of commerce.
The history of Hyderabad begins with the establishment of the Qutb Shahi dynasty.
Quli Qutb Shah seized the reins of power from the Bahamani kingdom in 1512 and
established the fortress city of Golconda. Inadequacy of water, and frequent epidemics
of plague and cholera persuaded Mohammad Quli Qutb, the fifth Qutb Shahi ruler to venture
outward to establish the new city with the Charminar at its centre and with four
great roads
fanning out in the four
cardinal directions. Hyderabad's fame, strategic
location and Golconda's legendary wealth attracted Aurangazeb who captured Golconda
after a long seige in 1687. After this defeat the importance of Hyderabad declined
and the city fell into partial ruin.
As the Moghul empire decayed and began to disintegrate, the viceroy, Asaf Jah
I proclaimed himself the Nizam and established independent rule of the Deccan.
Hyderabad once again became a major capital city, ruled by successive Nizams
of the Asaf Ja
hi dynasty until the state was merged into the Indian Union in
1948. In 1798, a subsidiary alliance for military and political cooperation
was signed between the Nizam and the British East India company.
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Thereafter, an area north of what is now the Hussain Sagar lake was established
as a cantonment. The area was named Secunderabad after the then Nizam, Sikander
Jah. Both Hyderabad and Secunderabad grew together and have now merged. An imaginary
line drawn across the Tank Bund is still used to distinguish the two cities.
The city of Hyderabad is famous for its minarets and its pearl bazaar. Pearls
from all over the world are said to come to Hyderabad because the artisans here
are skilled in piercing and stringing pearls without damaging them. The city's
gypsy tribes called 'Lambadas' and 'Banjaras' are known throughout
the country for their colourful costumes and Hyderabadi cusine is much
sought after.
Hyderabad is at an altitude of 536 metres with the mean summer temperature going
upto a maximum of 42 degrees Celsius and the minimum average temperature being
around 22 degrees. The maximum winter temperature is around 22 with the minimum
going down to around 10 degrees. Light woollens a
re required during early mornings
and late evenings.
Channel 6 the twin city guide, is proud to present this great and happening city, month
after month to all its readers.
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