The capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad is the fifth largest city in India with an age old  civilisation and culture. Attached to the city is its twin , Secunderbad. The city is nearly 400 years old and is noted for its natural beauty, mosques and minarets, bazaars and bridges, hills and lakes. It is perched on the top of the Deccan Plateau, 1776ft., above sea level, and sprawls over an area of 100 Sq. miles.

A multitude of influences have shaped the character of the city. Its palaces and buildings, houses and tenements, gardens and streets have a history and an architectural individuality of their own, which makes Hyderabad a city of enchantment.

Hyderabad was founded on the River Musi five miles east of Golconda, in 1591-92 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. In the 16th century the city grew spontaneously to accommodate the surplus population of Golconda, which was the capital of the Qutb Shahi rulers. Many buildings sprang up along the River Musi. Gradually the city grew.

The Qutb Shahi dynasty founded the Kingdom of Golconda, one of the five kingdoms that emerged after the break up of the Bahamani Kingdom. The Qutb Shahis ruled the Deccan for almost 171 years. All the seven rulers 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. During the Qutb Shahi reign Golconda became one of the leading markets in the world dealing in  diamonds, pearls, steel for arms, besides printed fabric.

The glory of the Golconda kingdom ended in 1687, after a valiant struggle. Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal ruler, captured Golconda after a siege that lasted eight months. Abul Hasan Tana Shah, the last king of Golconda, was imprisoned at Daulatabad, where he died after twelve years in captivity.

With the conquest of the Deccan and the South, Aurangzeb succeeded in expanding the Mughal Empire to cover the entire sub-continent. However, after his death in 1707, the Empire rapidly declined.

At that time , the Deccan was administered by a Subedar or viceroy of the Mughal Emperor. Mir Quamaruddin, the Governor of the Deccan, who bore the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk Feroze Jung Asif Jah, declared his independence from Mughal rule in 1724. He thus became the first Nizam and the founder of the Asif Jahi dynasty.

Asif Jah I continued to maintain Aruangabad, which had been founded by the Mughal rulers as the capital of his new state. In 1769, Nizam Ali Khan Asif Jah II, shifted the capital to Hyderabad. The seven Nizam's of the Asif Jahi dynasty ruled the Deccan for nearly 224 years, right up to 1948.

During the Asif Jahi period, Persian, Urdu, Telgu and Marathi developed and flourished simultaneously.

When the British and the French spread their hold over the country, the Nizam soon won their friendship without bequeathing his power. The title "Faithful. Ally of the British Government" was bestowed on Nizam VII. The British stationed a Resident at Hyderabad, but the state continued to be ruled by the Nizam.

After India gained independence, Hyderabad State merged with the Union of India. On November 1, 1956 the map of India was redrawn into linguistic states, and Hyderabad became the capital of Andhra Pradesh

WEATHER : Summer temperatures range from a mean maximum of 40 Deg. Centigrade to a mean minimum of 30 deg. centigrade, winter temperatures range from 22 deg. cen. to 14 deg. cen.

The monsoon season from June to December registers rainfall of about 89 cms.

CHARACTER : The area exhibits undulating topography with number of tanks and hill ranges. The elevation ranging between 500 to 600 mtrs  . While Banjara, Jubilee, Golconda, Nawabat Pahad, Tirumalagiri and Moula Ali are prominent hill ranges, Hussain Sagar and Mir Alam are prominent tanks located within the city. Hussain Sagar located in the heart of the city bifurcates it into Secunderabad and Hyderabad. Musi river passing through the middle of Hyderabad city flows in an easterly direction

CHARMINAR : Charminar is the symbol of Hyderabad and was built by the ruler Quli Qutab Shah in honor of his Hindu wife. The monument is surrounded by a very busy market place and is  located in a prominent area of  the old city.

MECCA MASJID : It lies next to Charminar and is very majestic in appearance. The entrance arches are made of single slabs of granite.

HUSSAIN SAGAR : Hyderabad lies sprawled  around this lake which is the largest of the lake in the city. It is surrounded by well maintained parks.

GOLKUNDA FORT : This fort, originally built by the Kakatiyas, the rulers of the neighboring state, was made with mud. Later, the Shahis converted it into a marvelous piece of architecture using advanced acoustics wherein sound signals could pass from the entrance of the fort to the top without the use of any electric gadgets. There is a sound and light show in the evening which is quiet popular.

NAUBAT PAHAD: These are two hillocks from where announcements were made during the olden days. Nowadays there is a hanging garden.

NEHRU ZOOLOGICAL PARK : It is a 300 acre park filled with different species of birds and animals. Paigah tombs : These are 200 year old tombs of the royal nobles made out of lime and mortar with carvings.

TANK BUND : This is a dam on Hussain Sagar lake and is famous for the 33 statues of statesmen and a huge monolithic statue of Buddha.

NAGARJUN SAGAR: This is the world's largest maisonary dam and lies on the river Krishna. Here there is a museum which houses ancient Buddhist sculptures, carvings, terracotta etc.Its 149 km. from Hyderabad. Pakhal : It is a old wildlife sanctuary and retreat built around 1213 A.D. covering about 900 sq. km. on the shores of a lake. The sanctuary has many wildlife's like tigers, leopards hyenas, deers etc.It is 200 km. from Hyderabad.

KOLANUPUKA : It is a 2000 year old Jain temple with a 1.5 m tall jade statue of Mahavira.It is 80 km. from Hyderabad.

TIRUPATHI : It is town housing several temples and is 740 km. from Hyderabad.The black idol of Balaji which is famous world wide is 2 m high and decked in gold. It is the richest temple in India.

KONDAPUR : Excavations here dates back to 3000 B.C.Copper, lead and silver coins of Roman and Satachana era and Buddhist were excavated from here. 90 km. from Hyderabad.

OSMANSAGAR : It is an artificial lake on river Moosi.It has well kept gardens and swimming pools around it.

RAYMOND'S TOMB: It is a tomb of a French soldier who was in the service of the Nizam in 1786 A.D.  

ACCESSIBILITY

By Air : Hyderabad is connected to all major Indian cities by the following airlines; Indian Airlines, Air India, Jet Airways.

By Rail :The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderbad are connected to all the major cities of India

By Road : Hyderabad lies on National Highway No. 7 and 9, hence is connected by the rest of the country.