Sight Seeing in Various South Indian Cities - Hyderabad

The Twin Cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad offer an enriching experience to the visitor. The city is a fine blend of nostalgia for the past and excitement for the future. Visitors to the Twin Cities can partake of not only its rich heritage but also its vibrant city life. This is an ideal destination for the discerning traveller.

ANDHRA PRADESH STATE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: This edifice in white marble, completed in 1913, was once the Town Hall of the Nizam's Hyderabad State. Its construction started in 1905 with the money raised by the Hyderabadis to celebrate the 40th birthday of Nizam Mahaboob Ali Khan. Architects from Rajasthan were specially commissioned to design it. It now houses the 295-seat Legislative Assembly of AP. A few unobtrusive additions have been made to the old structure to accommodate the offices of various political parties and ministers.
An interesting addition that attracts the attention of all passers by and visitors is the massive ebony coloured statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The pensive figure of the Mahatma, sitting serenly on the front lawns was carved by the renowned sculptor, Ram Kinkar. (Entry with special permission only)

CHARMINAR: Charminar is the landmark of Hyderabad.Without a mention of this monument built by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 AD, the description of Hyderbad is incomplete. This edifice was set when the foundation of Hyderabad was just being laid. A prototype of the ritualistic taziya, the Charminar today stands majestically in the heart of the Old City. Its imposing 180-feet tall structure has four minarets rising to a height of 48.7 metres. The western section houses a mosque that showcases the brilliant craftsmanship of the Qutb Shahi artisans.
Historian Haroon Khan Sherwani is of the opinion that the upper storey was a school, while the French traveller, Tavernier believed that it was used as a pumping reservoir. Yet others believe that the Charminar served as a gateway overlooking an elegant piazza. Whatever be the purpose of the upper storey, today Charminar forms an elegant backdrop to the bustling Lad Bazar and stands indulgently looking over Char Kaman, the four arches that elegantly span across four busy streets.

GOLCONDA FORT: The Golconda Fort is a must-see historical monument. This sprawling fort stands about 10 km west of Hyderabad. It was originally constructed on a hill by the Kakatiya kings of Warangal in the later part of the 12th century. It was then called Mankal. However, it was the Qutb Shahi kings of the 16th century who developed the fort and made it their official home with Hyderabad as their capital. Thus grew the mighty Golconda kingdom, the most powerful in the Deccan in the 16th and 17th centuries. Sultan Quli Qutb Shah reconstructed the entire mud structure fortifying it with stone. While the walls and bastions were rebuilt with large blocks of masonry, the gates were studded with iron spikes. Within the precincts of the fort lie, scattered in all directions, a number of old buildings, mosques and other historically and architecturally important places. The fort is constructed about 400 feet above the surrounding plain. There are eight gates in the outer wall. One of the most interesting feature of the fort is its indigenous system of acoustics. The various edifices are arranged in a way to transmit sound to different far-away points. A clap at the entrance of the fort could be heard in the court hall. An indigenous signalling device indeed. In Golconda, the Qutb Shahi rulers were also believed to have developed an ingenious water supply system.

A Sound and Light show after the fall of dusk recreates the history of the Golconda Fort. It also recreates the magic of the bygone times, for the tourists and visitors to carry home tucked in precious corners of their hearts.