The city of Hyderabad is an historic city noted for its many temples, Churches, Mosques, and bazaars. A multitude of influences have shaped the character of the city in last 400 years. Hyderabad or Haydarābād (Telugu: హైదరాబాదు Urdu: حیدر آباد ) is the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... The word temple has different meanings in the fields of architecture, religion, geography, anatomy, and education. ... This article is about the Christian buildings of worship. ... A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. ... The Grand Timcheh of Qoms Bazaar. ...

The city is changing its role and outlook as part of booming service industry revolution, and is trying to preserve and popularize its history.

Before the city was founded

Ancient history

^{[citation needed]}

The area around Hyderabad was ruled by the Mauryan Empire in the third century B.C during the rein of Ashoka.

Medieval history

Various Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms ruled the area during the subsequent centuries. The area was ruled by Kalyani branch of Chalukya kings. When the Chalukya kingdom became weaker, Kakatiyas, who were feudal chieftains of Chalukya, declared independence and setup their kingdom around Warangal. The fall of Warangal to Muhammad bin Tughluq's forces from the Delhi Sultanate in 1321 AD brought anarchy to the region. For the next few decades, the Bahmani Sultanate of the Deccan fought the Musunuri Nayakas on the north and the Vijayanagara Rayas on the south for control of the region. By the middle of the 15th century, the region was under the firm control of the Bahmani Sultanate which controlled the Deccan north of the Krishna River from coast to coast. Kalyani is a raga in the Carnatic music of South India. ... The Chalukya dynasty (Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು) was a powerful Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th century C.E. They began to assert their independence at the decline of the Satavahana empire and rapidly rose to prominence during the reign of... The Chalukya dynasty (Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು) was a powerful Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th century C.E. They began to assert their independence at the decline of the Satavahana empire and rapidly rose to prominence during the reign of... The Kakatiya Dynasty was a South Indian dynasty that ruled parts of what is now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083 to 1323. ... For the district of the same name, see Warangal district. ... A coin of Muhammad bin Tughlaq Muhammad bin Tughluq (Arabic: محمد بن تغلق) (born c. ... The Delhi Sultanate (دلی سلطنت), or Sulthanath-e-Hind (سلطنتِ ہند) / Sulthanath-e-Dilli (سلطنتِ دلی) refers to the various Muslim dynasties that ruled in India from 1210 to 1526. ... The Bahmani Sultanate was a Muslim state of the Deccan in southern India. ... The Krishna River is one of the longest rivers of India (about 1300 km in length). ...

The Qutb Shahis

The Golconda Sultanate

In 1463, Sultan Mohammad Shah Bahmani dispatched Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk to the Telangana region to quell disturbances. Sultan Quli quelled the disturbance and was rewarded as the administrator of the region. He established a base at Kakatiya hill fortress of Golconda which he strengthened and expanded considerably. By the end of the century, Quli ruled from Golconda as the Subedar of Telangana. Events January 5 - Poet Francois Villon is banned from Paris Births January 17 - Frederick III, Elector of Saxony (died 1525) February 24 - Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, Italian philosopher (died 1494) October 20 - Alessandro Achillini, Italian philosopher (died 1512) Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de Medici, Italian patron of the arts (died 1503... Sultan Quli Qutb Mulk (also transliterated in different ways) (? - 1543) was the founder of the Qutb Shahi dynasty which ruled the kingdom of Golconda in southern India from 1518 to 1687. ... Location of Telangana region Telangana region marked in white. ... The Kakatiya Dynasty was a South Indian dynasty that ruled parts of what is now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083 to 1323. ... Golconda is a ruined city and fortress 11 km west of the city of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh state, India. ... Location of Telangana region Telangana region marked in white. ...

the golconda internal squabbles within the Bahmani Sultanate to the fore. Quli enjoyed virtual independence from Bidar, where the Bahmani sultanate was then based. In 1518, he declared independence from the Bahmani Sultanate and established the Golconda Sultanate under the title Sultan Quli Qutub Shah. This was the start of Qutb Shahi Dynasty. Bahmani Sultanate disintegrated into five different kingdoms, with the others based in Ahmednagar, Berar, Bidar and Bijapur. Bidar is a city in Karnataka state, India. ... The Qutb Shahi dynasty was the ruling family of the kingdom of Golconda in southern India. ... The Bahmani Sultanate was a Muslim state of the Deccan in southern India. ... Ahmednagar (अहमदनगर in Marathi) is the district headquarter city of Ahmednagar District in the state of Maharashtra, India, on the left bank of the Sina River, about 120 km northeast of Pune and 120 km from Aurangabad. ... Berar is a former province of British India, located in central India. ... Bidar is a city in Karnataka state, India. ... Bijapur is a district in the Indian state of Karnataka. ...

The Founding of a New City

The Golconda in the Qutb Shahi dynasty, founded the city of Hyderabad on the Musi River, five miles (8 km) east of Golconda in 1589. He also ordered the construction of the Char Minar, the iconic monument of the city, in 1591, reportedly in gratitude to the almighty for arresting the plague epidemic before it did irreversible damage to his new city. The Purana Pul ("old bridge") spanning the Musi was built a few years earlier, enabling quick travel between Golconda and Hyderabad. Musi is the name of a river in India. ... Charminar is a monument located in the City of Hyderabad which is the capital city of the State of Andhra Pradesh in South India. ...

Legend has it that the bridge was built by Mohammad Quli's father Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah so his son's life would not be endangered when he went to visit his future wife during the monsoon months.

The New City Flourishes

The early history of Hyderabad is inextricably intertwined with the history of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. As Qutb Shahi power and fortune rose during the 16th and early 17th centuries, Hyderabad became a center of a vibrant diamond trade. All seven Qutb Shahi sultans were patrons of learning and were great builders. They contributed to the growth and development of Indo-Persian and Indo-Islamic literature and culture in Hyderabad. Some of the sultans were known as patrons of local Telugu culture as well. During the Qutb Shahi reign Golconda became one of the leading markets in the world for diamonds, pearls, steel, arms, and also printed fabric. In the 16th century the city grew to accommodate the surplus population of Golconda and eventually became the capital of the Qutb Shahi rulers. Hyderabad became known for its gardens (called baghs) and its comfortable climate. Visitors from other lands compared the city most to the beautiful city of Isfahan in Iran. The Qutb Shahi dynasty (whose members were also called the Qutub Shahis) was the ruling family of the kingdom of Golconda in southern India. ... For other uses of India, see India (disambiguation). ... Motto (official) Esteqlāl, āzādÄ«, jomhÅ«rÄ«-ye eslāmÄ« 1(Persian) Independence, freedom, Islamic Republic (ancient) Kerdār-e nÄ«k, pendār-e nÄ«k, goftār-e nÄ«k (Persian) Noble deeds, noble thoughts, noble words Anthem SorÅ«d-e MellÄ«-e Īrān 2 Capital... For other uses of India, see India (disambiguation). ... Islam (Arabic: ; ( â–¶ (help· info)), the submission to God) is a monotheistic faith, one of the Abrahamic religions and the worlds second-largest religion. ... For other things called pearl, see pearl (disambiguation). ... The steel cable of a colliery winding tower. ... Golconda is a ruined city and fortress 11 km west of the city of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh state, India. ... Part of Shah Abbas large urban project in his new capital, the Chahār Bāgh Four Gardens, is a four-kilometer avenue in the city of Isfahan. ...

Mughal conquest and rule

The Beginning of the End of the Mughal Empire

By the mid-17th century, politics in the Deccan were ready for yet another tectonic shift. Mughal prince Aurangzeb spent most of his time in the Deccan fighting local Hindu and Muslim kingdoms to establish and enforce Mughal Sovereignty. Rise of Maratha power under Shivaji kept the Mughals constantly challenged. After the death of Shah Jahan in 1666, Aurangzeb consolidated his power in Delhi as Emperor and returned to the south. He spent most of his imperial reign in military camps in the Deccan, in an almost desperate campaign to expand the empire beyond the greatest extent it had reached under Akbar. The biggest prize in his eyes was the rich city of Hyderabad, protected by the reportedly impregnable fort of Golconda. The Mughal Empire (alternative spelling Mogul, which is the origin of the word Mogul) of India was founded by Babur in 1526, when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans at the First Battle of Panipat. ... Aurangzeb (Persian: , English: ) (November 3, 1618 – March 3, 1707), also known as Alamgir I, was the ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1658 until 1707. ... The Marāthās (Marathi: मराठा)is a collective term referring to an Indo Aryan group of Hindu warriors and peasants hailing mostly from the present-day state of Maharashtra, who created a substantial empire, covering a major part of India, in the late 17th and 18th centuries AD. The Marathas... Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Chatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhonsle (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी राजे भोसले) was the founder of Maratha empire in western India in 1674. ... Shahbuddin Mohammed Shah Jahan (also spelled Shah Jehan, Shahjehan. ... For other uses, see Akbar (disambiguation). ...

Hyderabad Falls to the Mughals

Aurangzeb laid siege to Golconda in 1686. Golconda held fast under months of siege, and Aurangzeb had to retreat in frustration. Aurangzeb returned in 1687 and laid siege for 9 months camping in the Fateh Maidan ("victory field," now the Lal Bahadur Stadium). Local legend has it that the fortress held on, but the gates were opened at night by a saboteur who was bribed by Aurangzeb. Sultan Abul Hassan Tana Shah, the seventh king of the dynasty, was taken prisoner. Hyderabad's independence was eclipsed. Aurangzeb's efforts would turn out largely in vain, with Hyderabad remaining in Mughal hands for less than four decades.

For a few decades, Hyderabad declined, and its vibrant diamond trade all but destroyed. Aurangzeb's attention moved away quickly to other parts of the Deccan, with the Marathas slowly but steadily gaining ground against the Mughals.

The Asaf Jahis

Viceroys Become Kings

With the emaciation of the Mughal Empire after Aurangzeb's death in 1707, the Mughal-appointed governors of Hyderabad gained more autonomy from Delhi. In 1724, Asaf Jah I, who was granted the title Nizam-ul-Mulk ("governor of the country") by the Mughal emperor, defeated a rival official to establish control over Hyderabad. Thus began the Asaf Jahi dynasty that would rule Hyderabad until a year after India's independence from Britain. Chin Qilij Khan Asaf Jah I was the founder of the Asaf Jahi dynasty that ruled Hyderabad state from 1724 to 1949. ... The Nizams Coat of Arms Nizam-ul-Mulk was the title of the ruler of Hyderabad state from 1724 to 1949. ...

Hyderabad Starts Growing Again

Asaf Jah's successors ruled as Nizams of Hyderabad. The rule of the seven Nizams saw the growth of Hyderabad both culturally and economically. Hyderabad became the formal capital of the kingdom and Golconda, the former capital, was all but abandoned. Huge reservoirs, like the Nizam Sagar, Tungabadra, Osman Sagar, Himayat Sagar, and others were built. Survey work on Nagarjuna Sagar had also begun during this time. The Nizams Coat of Arms Nizam-ul-Mulk was the title of the ruler of Hyderabad state from 1724 to 1949. ... The Ashokan Reservoir, located in Ulster County, New York, USA. It is one of 19 that supplies New York City with drinking water. ... At a distance of about 144 km north-west of Hyderabad, a reservoir known by the name Nizamsagar was constructed across the Manjira River, a tributary of the Godavari River, between Achampet and Banjapalle villages of Nizamabad district. ... Osman Sagar is an artificial lake in the Indian province of Hyderabad, created by the damming of the river Musi in 1920. ... Himayat Sagar is located about 20 km from Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, India. ... Nagarjuna Sagar ( నాగార్జునసాగర్) is an important Buddhist site and tourist place located 150 km from Hyderabad, (India). ...

A Delicate Balancing Game

When the British and the French spread their hold over the country, successive Nizams won their friendship without bequeathing their power. The Nizams allied themselves with each side at different times, playing a significant role in the wars involving Tipu Sultan of Mysore, the British and the French. During the reign of the third Nizam, Sikandar Jah, the city of Secunderabad was founded to station French troops and subsequently, British troops. The British stationed a Resident at Hyderabad and their own troops at Secunderabad, but the state continued to be ruled by the Nizam. Hyderabad, under the Nizams, was the largest princely state in India, with an area larger than England, Scotland and Wales combined. It was considered the "senior-most" princely-state, and within the elaborate protocols of the Raj, its ruler the Nizam was accorded a 21-gun salute. The State had its own currency, mint, railways, and postal system. There was no income tax. Portrait of Tippu Sultan, 1792 Tippu Sultan (full name Sultan Fateh Ali Tippu), also known as the Tiger of Mysore (November 20, 1750, Devanahalli – May 4, 1799, Srirangapatna), was the first son of Haidar Ali by his second wife, Fatima or Fakhr-un-nissa. ... Mysore   or MaisÅ«ru (Kannada: ) is the second largest city in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... Mir Akbar Ali Khan Sikander Jah Asif Jah III, Nizam of Hyderabad, was the ruler of Hyderabad state in India from 1803 to 1829. ... Secunderabad   is the twin city of Hyderabad, India, and is separated by the man made lake, Husain Sagar, from the capital of Andhra Pradesh. ... A Resident, or in full Resident Minister, is a state official of certain representative types, required to take up permanent residency abroad officially. ... A princely state is any state under the reign of a prince and is thus a principality taken in the broad sense. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem God Save the King (Queen) England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime Minister Tony Blair MP Unification  -  by Athelstan 967  Area... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Cha togar mfhearg gun dioladh (Scottish Gaelic)1 Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime... This article is about the country. ... A mint is a facility which manufactures coins for currency. ... It has been suggested that first class mail be merged into this article or section. ... An income tax is a tax levied on the financial income of persons, corporations, or other legal entities. ...

Surrounded, Isolated but well Governed

Although The Hyderabad State was surrounded by The British India, the state was politically isolated from the rest of India. The Nizams were reputed to be autocratic but benevolent rulers. They pledged allegiance to the King of England in order to retain control over their vast dominions. By the 20th century, they had the titles "Faithful Ally of the British Empire," and "His Exalted Highness." A title bestowed on no one else. It was the only Princely state of that size. He was given this title for exemplary administration and the prosperity the State ushered in. This is a list of British monarchs, that is, the monarchs on the thrones of some of the various kingdoms that have existed on, or incorporated, the island of Great Britain, namely: England (united with Wales from 1536) up to 1707; Scotland up to 1707; The Kingdom of Great Britain...

From a bankrupt state The seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, made it into the wealthiest state in the sub-continent. He was considered the world's richest man (Time cover story Feb. 22, 1937), and he was famous for patronage to learning and institutions. Some eccentricities included the use the Jacob Diamond of 400 carat (80 g) as a paperweight. The Jacob Diamond is a large diamond, believed to be the same stone as the Victoria Diamond, formerly owned by the Nizam of Hyderabad and currently owned by the Government of India. ...

Mir Osman Ali Khan founded number of institutions the world over including the eponymous Osmania General Hospital and Osmania University -- the first modern university to teach in an Indian language (Urduand umpteen other. Above all there was total harmony. There was never a riot. People lived in total peace and harmony in the upwardly mobile composite Hindu Muslim fraternal society. The law prevailed. No one including the ruler was above the law and the state and judiciary was separate. Mir Osman Ali Khan (b. ... Image:Omsania University. ... (, historically spelled Ordu), is an Middle Eastern-Aryan language. ...

India Awakes to Life and Freedom, but Hyderabad not Yet

The Annexation of Hyderabad

When India gained independence in 1947, the Nizam declared his intention to remain independent, either as a sovereign ruler or by acquiring Dominion status within the British Empire. In order to keep essential trade and supplies flowing, he signed a Standstill Agreement with the Indian Union which surrounded him on all sides. The law and order situation soon deteriorated, with escalating violence between the private Razakar army fighting for continuation of the Nizam's rule and the communists of Telangana fighting for entrance into the Indian Union. As the violence spiraled out of control with refugees flowing into the coastal Andhra region of the Madras state of India, the Indian Government under Home Minister Sardar Patel initiated a police action titled Operation Polo. On September 17, 1948, more than a year after India had gained independence, Hyderabad was overtaken after five days of police action. The Nizam signed, under threat of force, the Instrument of Accession to the Indian Union and Hyderabad was integrated into the Indian Union as a state. A dominion, often Dominion, is the territory or the authority of a dominus (a lord or master). ... The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ... The Republic of India is a large country in South Asia, and one of only two countries in the world with a population of over one billion. ... Razakar is a Persian word which means volunteer. ... Location of Telangana region Telangana region marked in white. ... Madras refers to: the Indian city of Chennai, formerly known as Madras, the former Indian state, now known as Tamil Nadu (Plural of Madra): Ancient people of Iranian affinites, who lived in northwest Panjab in the Uttarapatha division of ancient India. ... Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (October 31, 1875–December 15, 1950), popularly referred to as Sardar Patel, was an Indian statesman, an important leader of the Indian National Congress and the deputy Prime Minister in the first cabinet of Independent India. ... Combatants Union of India State of Hyderabad Commanders Maj. ... Various princely states existed in India during the period of the British Raj. ... Flag of the State of Hyderabad. ... The Republic of India is a large country in South Asia, and one of only two countries in the world with a population of over one billion. ... India is subdivided into twenty-eight states and seven union territories; the states and territories are themselves further subdivided. ...

See also: Telengana Rebellion

The Telengana Rebellion was a Communist led peasant revolt that took place in the former princely state of Hyderabad State in pre-partition India between 1946 and 1951. ...

Hyderabad State

The state got its first democractic government and the representatives of its 18 million people were admitted to the Constituent Assembly drafting a constitution for free India. For the next eight years, Hyderabad continued as a separate state within the union. The Constituent Assembly of India was elected to write the Constitution of India, and served as its first Parliament as an independent nation. ... The Republic of India is a large country in South Asia, and one of only two countries in the world with a population of over one billion. ...

Reorganization of States and Formation of Andhra Pradesh

On November 1, 1956, the states of India were reorganized on linguistic grounds. Consequently, the terrorities of the State of Hyderabad were divided between newly created Andhra Pradesh, Bombay state (later Maharashtra), and Karnataka. Hyderabad and the surrounding areas were added to Andhra Pradesh based on Telugu linguistic majority, and Hyderabad became the capital of the new state of Andhra Pradesh. November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The term natural language is used to distinguish languages spoken and signed (by hand signals and facial expressions) by humans for general-purpose communication from constructs such as writing, computer-programming languages or the languages used in the study of formal logic, especially mathematical logic. ... Andhra Pradesh  : (Telugu: ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్, Urdu: آندھرا پردیش, IPA: ), is a state in southern India. ... Bombay state is a former state of India. ... Maharashtra   (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , English: , IPA: ) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ... Andhra Pradesh  : (Telugu: ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్, Urdu: آندھرا پردیش, IPA: ), is a state in southern India. ... Telugu (తెలుగు) is a Dravidian language primarily spoken in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, where it is the official language. ... Andhra Pradesh  : (Telugu: ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్, Urdu: آندھرا پردیش, IPA: ), is a state in southern India. ...