Chowmahalla Palace

Chowmahalla Palace was once the centre of Hyderabad. It was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty where the Nizam entertained his official guests and royal visitors. Hyderabad may refer to various places: Hyderabad, India, Hyderabad state, the pre-1956 Indian state Hyderabad, Pakistan, for the city in Sindh, Pakistan This is a disambiguation page — a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ... Nizam-ul-Mulk was the title of the ruler of Hyderabad state from 1724 to 1949. ...

The palace is unique for its style and elegance. Building began in the late 18th Century and over the decades a synthesis of many architectural styles and influences emerged.

The palace originally covered 45 acres but only 14 acres remain. This complex today consists of two courtyards with elegant palaces, the grand Khilwat (the Durbar Hall), fountains and gardens.

Courtyard A

The oldest part of the complex comprises of 4 palaces (Chow meaning char in Hindi i.e. four). It was build in the neo-classical style and is currently under restoration.

Courtyard B

This northern courtyard has been painstakingly restored and is now open to the public. It has Mughal domes and arches and many Persian Elements like the ornate stucco work that adorns the Khilwat Mubarak. These are also characteristic of other buildings built in Hyderabad at the time.

As you enter Courtyard B you will see the following historic building around the central pool.

• Khilwar Mubarak

This is the heart of the Chowmahalla Palace. It is held in high esteem of the people of Hyderabad as it was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. The grand pillared Durbar Hall has a pure marble platform on which the Takht-e-Nishan or the royal seat was laid. Here the Nizams held their durbar and other religious and symbolic ceremonies. The 19 spectacular Chandeliers of Belgian crystal recently reinstalled to recreate the lost splendor of this regal hall.

• Bara Imam

A long corridor of rooms on the east side face the central fountain and pool that, once housed the administrative wing.

• Shishe-Alat

Opposite the Bara Imam is a building that is its shishe or mirror image. The rooms were once the used as guest rooms for officials accompanying visiting dignitaries. This now forms a Craft Centre for the demonstration and sale of Indian Crafts.

• Clock Tower

The clock above the main gate to Chowmahalla Palace is affectionately called as Khilwat Clock. It has been ticking away for over a thousand years. An expert family of clock repairers winds the mechanical clock every week and the people of locality wait for its chime.

• Council Hall

This building housed a rare collection of manuscripts and priceless books and the Nizam often met the important officials here. Today it is venue for temporary exhibitions from the treasures of the Chowmahalla Palace Collection that offer you a glimpse of a bygone era.

• Roshan Bangla

The sixth Nizam is believed to have been here and the building was named after his mother Roshan Begum.

The present Nizam and his family decided to restore the Chowmahalla Palace and open it to the public in January 2005. It took over 5 years to document and restore the palaces of the first courtyard to its former glory.

Visitor Information

• Timings: 11am -5pm (Closed on Fridays and National Holidays)
• Tickets: Indian Visitor - Rs. 50 and International Visitor-Rs. 150
• Khilwat - Hyderabad
• Phone: 91-40-24522032
• Email: chowmahalla@yahoo.co.in

Reference

• Travel guide issued by Authority: The Administrator, H.E.H The Nizam's Private Estate