If there is one thing that must be said about the Indian city of Hyderabad it is that the place is mesmerizing. It is difficult to imagine how else a tourist in the provincial capital of Andhra Pradesh can describe the wonderful city with 130 heritage buildings and 32 monuments.
As a guest of the state government I arrived in Hyderabad with my colleague Mohammad Ali Saki from Tehran Times in the middle of May. With summer at its peak, we felt the real heat soon after arrival, and a feeling occurred that may be it was not the right time for the week-long tour. Our consulate general had coordinated the visit for mid-March.
Now I admit that every hour of the weeklong tour was indeed a rare and rewarding experience. The city of more than eight million with its friendly, hospitable and humble folks is a buzzing metropolis founded more than 400 years ago by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah.
Here I deem necessary to express my gratitude to all those who helped in making this journey a memorable experience geared to forging closer ties between the friendly peoples of India and Iran. Mention should be made of HE Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, the AP minister of tourism and information & tourism, and the management and staff of Leonia Holistic Resorts at Shameerpet.
Acknowledgement is made also to K.V. Reddy, director of AP department of tourism, Dr. P.J. Naidu, our tour guide, an untiring professional and deputy director (retd) of archeology and museums, and N. Subramanyam, the tourist information officer. Special thanks to Ali Akbar Niroomand, senior public relations officer at our consulate general in Hyderabad who got the difficult jobs (meetings, interviews, sessions with officials, mediaÉ) done in the best possible manner.
One observation of the history of the Qutub Shahi ruling dynasty has this to say about the great city established in 1591:
The city is a paradise. There is nothing that is not to be found here. If an old man hurries to the city, he would recover his youth. Everything that is good is found in Hyderabad in plenty. We find in the city all that is fortunate and nothing that causes pain or sorrowÉ
Small wonder that the city of love, art, culture and history flourishing together in perfect harmony is a much happening place in India and poised to be the country’s ’Heritage Capital.’
Located strategically in the center of Andhra Pradesh, in the region known as Telengana, Hyderabad lies on the Deccan Plateau, 541 meters above sea level over an area of 260 sq km.
Aside from building places, mosques and beautiful gardens, its founders initiated and built several monuments that still embellish the sands of time and have immortalized Hyderabad’s intrinsic grace and marvelous city life.
The Charminar, Golconda Fort Charkaman, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Ashurkhana (housing the replicas of Alams carried by Imam Hussein and his supporters in the battle of Karbala), Mecca Masjid, Chowmahalla Palace, Osmania University are just a few that add to the grandeur of the “City of Pearls.“
The city’s art galleries and museums, particularly Salar Jung Museum, Nizam Museum, State Archeological Museum, Health Museum, Birla Science Museum, and the State Archives whet the curiosity of lovers of fine arts in its myriad forms.
Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah’s vision and personal contribution to the phenomenal growth of the city and, above all, his emphasis on providing an egalitarian administration paved the way for a healthy fusion of Muslim and Hindu cultures that is palpable to this day.

Charminar

Charminar: The most popular landmark in Hyderabad is the Charminar, a magnificent and striking historical monument with four graceful minarets. Built more than 400 years ago, its central structure soars to a height of 180 feet. Most of the fabled bazaars of Hyderabad are located around the Charminar.
It was built by Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah, as a symbol of good fortune, to ward off adversity from the beautiful Pearl CityÉand it stands resplendent today É as true testimony to the bygone gloryÉ! It is considered as one of the most magnificent civic buildings in medieval India. Charminar has faced all natural challenges but remains elegant and stately since its construction in 1592. The French traveler Monsieur Thevenot wrote in 1666: There is no edifice like Charminar in the whole city which appears so splendid to the eye.

Golconda Fort: An exciting journey into a glorious history awaits you at Golconda Fort, a magnificent structure that reflects the genius of its builders. Tracing its origins to the Kakatiyas, Bahamanis and Qutub Shahis, its outstanding features include 87 bastions, and 8 colossal gateways over 69 feet high, which could withstand great pressures during a siege. The Golconda rulers were rich and world famous. A clap at the foot of the fort can be heard at the top of the citadel at a height of 61 meters. A ’Son-et-Lumiere’, sound and light show held here every evening, relives the splendor and mystique of the past.

Qutub Shahi Tombs: Reflecting the undying passion for architectural beauty of the erstwhile kingdom of the Qutub Shahis, these imposing marvels of architectural excellence stand as solemn reminders of the grandeur and glory of Golconda and its kings. The tombs are the regal resting places of the legendry Qutub Shahi sultans.
Located to the north of Golconda Fort, the tombs are said to be the oldest historical monuments in Hyderabad. They were built in Indo-Persian architectural styles with stucco ornamentation. Arched corridors, rich ornamental parapets and trellised balconies make each one of the tombs a spectacular monument. This is perhaps the only place in the world where an entire dynasty is laid to rest in one majestic complex.

Salar Jung Museum: The museum which houses the world’s biggest one man collection of more than 48,000 art objects, 50,000 books and 9,000 manuscripts (5,400 in Persian) is spread over 35 treasure-filled rooms. This fabulous collection from 34 countries is attributed to Salar Jung III, the third in a family of prime ministers to the last two Nizams of Hyderabad. The museum is famous for what is supposed to be the largest collection of clocks in the world. The ’veiled Rebecca’ is an astonishingly beautiful sculpture which rivets the attention. The rarest antiques, paintings, porcelain, jewelry, carpets, weapons, howdahs, fabrics, ancient manuscripts, toys, clocks, and many other artifacts will leave you spellbound.

Chowmohalla Palace

Chowmohalla Palace: Hyderabad has many palaces which have witnessed the reign of the Nizams, who were among the richest royalty in the world. The oldest and the most sprawling of the palaces belonging to the Asaf Jahi dynasty of the Nizams, is the Chowmohalla Palace which occupies a whole street between Laad Bazaar, Hyderabad’s famous bangle market, and the Mecca Masjid. Since Chowmohalla was built over several decades, the style of architecture and dŽcor belongs to different periods. It is believed that Chowmoholla, which actually means, ’four palaces’ was built during the period of Nawab Afzar-ud-doula Bahadur, the Nizam-V (1857-1869.) The palace was the grand venue of the state receptions hosted by the Nizam.
Hussain Sagar Lake: Hussain Sagar Lake or Tank Bund, as it is commonly called, was built as a marvel of engineering in 1562. Today, it is a favorite evening rendezvous with Necklace Road, its beautiful promenade, complete with boating and parasailing facilities. There are many scenic parks and amusement zones around the lake. Among these, Necklace Road is a favorite boulevard for people of the twin cities to spend an enjoyable evening at the various wonderful lakeside venues.

Leonia World-Class Resort: Leonia Holistic Resorts in Hyderabad’s Bommaraspet, Shameerpet, is arguably one of the best places in the world for conferences, conventions, anniversaries, social celebrations, sports camps/trainings, weddingsÉof course for the rich and powerful for whom money is of secondary importance. It is an innovative world-class resort that offers guests the synergy of leisure, business, recreation and healthcare facilities artfully brought together in one serene location. It is luxurious estate that blends tradition and modernity in a unique, natural and inspired setting with clear pools, floral gardens and green landscaping.
Under the management of Julian Ayers, the resort with 88 guest rooms offers the Signature, Presidential, Business and Ethnic suites. Rates range from USD 250 a day to USD 10,000. Few if any would have dreamt a few years ago that the cost of staying in a luxury suite in India for only one day would be around 400,000 rupees!
Built over an area of 350 acres, the $120 million plus resort is fast expanding with a labor force of 3,000 (500 carpenters) working round the clock to build another 1,200 rooms, new spas, golf courses, health clubs, yoga/meditation centers, amusement parks and indoor games for children -- the best money can buy.

Lumbini Park & Laserium: Cruise on the lake or relax in the ParkÉThe Lumbini Park situated on the banks of Hussain Sagar Lake, is a visual treat for weary eyes. Refreshing greenery surrounds you, while your senses are lulled into a soothing calm by the musically synchronized water fountain. Lumbini Laserium, India’s first Multimedia Laser Show, is a spectacular extravaganza, which dazzlingly narrates Hyderabad’s history in a thrilling display of laser lights projected on a giant water screen.

Shilparamam, Arts & Crafts Village: a charming village of arts and crafts, it is the most sought after destination to explore the world of Indian crafts and enjoy the thrill of shopping and relaxing amidst sylvan nature in an ethnic ambience. Located in Madhapur, this 40 acre village brims over with a wealth of arts and crafts from all corners of the country. There are scenic venues with spectacular views in this unique crafts village besides an amazing Rural Museum that reflects typical village life with stunning life-like statues in an authentic rural setting.