ABOUT HYDERABAD

The city's history begins with the establishment of the Qutb Shahi dynasty when Quli Qutb Shah seized the power from the Bahamani Kingdom in 1512, establishing the city of Golconda. Owing to water scarcity and frequent epidemics of cholera and plague, Quli Qutb Shah wanted to establish a city outside of Golconda. Charminar became the center of this new city and there were four major roads arising from the Charminar along the four cardinal directions. 

The wealth and strategic location of Hyderabad and Golconda attracted Aurangazeb. After a tough eight-month siege, Quli Qutb Shah gave in, and in 1687, the Moghul Empire was established. During the Moghul rule, the city experienced partial ruins and lost its importance. However, having no mighty emperors after Aurangazeb, the Moghul emperor soon lost its glory and hold, and then began Asaf Jahi dynasty. Asaf Jah I proclaimed himself the Nizam of Hyderabad and established independent rule of the Deccan. The city regained its importance and became the capital city of the Asif Jahi dynasty until Andhra Pradesh was merged into the Indian Union 1948.

Hyderabad, which is almost 500 years old, is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the Deccan Plateau. The city has an average altitude of about 500 m above the sea level. Most of the regions have rocky terrain. 

Originally, the city of Hyderabad was established on the southern banks of the river Musi. Now, the so-called original Hyderabad city is called as the historical Old City. The Old City is the dwelling to the Charminar and the Mecca Masjid. Many constructions – government buildings and landmarks – are going on in the city center, particularly on the south side of the Husain Sagar Lake. The fast development of the city, along with the development of adjoining city Secunderabad and adjacent municipalities, has resulted in the creation of a huge and densely populated metropolitan region. 

With various software firms, call centers, and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies being set up during the early 1990s, Hyderabad has become one of the key areas for such information technology (IT) and IT-enabled service set-ups. Many pharmaceutical companies like Aurobindo Pharma Limited, Divis Labs, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Hetero Drugs Limited, Matrix Laboratories, and Vimta Labs are located in the city.

ATTRACTION

Charminar

Charminar, an excellent blend of the Indo-Islamic architecture, is one of the places that will come to mind when one plans to visit Hyderabad. It is a square-shaped structure standing as a witness to the glory of Qutub Shahi dynasty. The structure is 56 meters high and 30 meters wide. There are four minarets standing on the four corners of Charminar, each minaret having double balconies. The balconies offer a breathtaking view of the surrounding. These minarets are crowned with small, bulblike copulas. 

There are four grand arches facing the cardinal directions and major roads emanate from the arches, along the four cardinal directions. On the top floor is located a small mosque. There are 45 prayer spaces and people throng to this mosque for the Friday prayers. One should not miss the beautiful view of Charminar when it is illuminated.

Golconda Fort 

The Golconda Fort is situated due west of Hyderabad. The fort was founded as early as the twelfth century by the Kakatias. The Qutub Sahi kings converted this fort into a mighty fort with granite walls and ramparts that extend to around 5 kilometers in circumference. The perimeter of this massive fort measures around 11 kilometers, with 15 to 18-foot-high walls. There are as many as 70 ramparts besides 8 huge gates. 

Golconda was once the market city for its diamond trade. Darya-e Nur, meaning 'sea of light', measuring 185 carats and housed now in Iran, was mined here. Many other famed diamonds—including the Kohinoor Diamond, Nur-Ul-Ain Diamond, the Hope Diamond, and the Regent Diamond—are believed to belong to the mines in this region. 

Highlight of the fort is a light-and-sound show. The timings of the show are different during summers and winters. During November–February, the shows begin at 6:30 pm, and during March-October, the shows begin at 7 pm. On Wednesdays and Sundays the shows are presented in English; on Tuesdays, Fridays, and on Saturdays, in Hindi; and on Thursdays, Telugu.

All so must see these places:-

• Nizam's Museum  
• Purani Haveli 
• Chowmahalla Palace 
• Yadagiri Gutta (Temple)
• ISKCON Temple 
• Durgam Cheruvu (Secret Lake) 
• Chilkur Balaji Temple 
• Hussain sagar lake
• Buddha Statue
• Paigah Tombs 
• Lumbini Park 
• Birla Mandir 
• Birla Planetarium 
• Salar Jung Museum
• Osman Sagar Lake
• Qutab Shahi Tombs 
• Public Gardens (Bagh-e-aam)
• Archival Museum
• Hyderabad State Museum
• Lotus Pond
• Kachiguda Mahankali Temple
• The Natural History Museum
• Ramoji film city