The tinkle of colorful bangles…The rich, dewy pearls…The aroma of Shahi Biryani…That’s the essence of Hyderabad for you.Hyderabad is the fifth largest city in India with an ancient civilisation and culture. Hyderabad and Secunderbad are twin cities, separated by the Husain Sagar river.

Hyderabad occupies a unique position on the map of India. With its confluence of cultures and traditions, the city is often described as a link between the north and the south, and a meeting place of the east and the west.

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 natural and sophisticated blend of old and new, an old 'Nawabi' culture with a new pro-active approach and hospitality.

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.

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.

The teeming bazaars of the old city, in the midst of which stands the 400-year-old Charminar, the modern shopping complexes and ultra-modern malls in the newer areas of the city add to the charm of Hyderabad.

Soon 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.

The Golconda Fort, capital of the kingdom by that name, is today very much part of the city, as is 'Cyberabad' (means Cyber City), a new local area created to keep pace with the zooming Information Technology & Tourism sector.

Pearls, bangles, silks, computer software, handicrafts and above all a delectable cuisine add to the splendour of this great city.

General Information  

 Area: 259 sq. miles 

 Population : 38,41,396

 Rain Fall: 89 cm ( June to Sept )

Climate: Max. Min.
Summer:400C 220C
Winter220C 13.80C 
 Tourist Seasons : June to February 
 STD Code : 040
 

Access

Air: Indian Airlines has flights connecting Hyderabad with all major cities in India. The nearest airport -Begumpet airport- is situated on the main road between Begumpet and Parade grounds (Secunderabad).

Rail: The world's second largest railway under one management the Indian Railways carries more than ten million people every day. Main railway stations are Begumpet Station, Hyderabad Station and Secunderabad Station.

Bus: The AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has a busy district service that connects Hyderabad to every city, town and almost all villages. 
 

Monuments and sight-seeing spots

Charminar
This best known landmark of Hyderabad gets it name from Char (four) Minar (towers). The Charminar is a 56 m (185 feet) high arch, which has four minarets, nice balconies and a small mosque. Situated amidst bustling bazaars, Charminar has beautiful arches and elegant minarets. It was built in the year 1591 by Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutub Shahi to commemorate the end of  the dreaded epidemic plague.

Golconda Fort
With 18 m high walls, 8 huge gates, 87 bastions for cannons and sprawled over 5 km, this fort is indeed impressive, where each corner tells a story of royalty, passion and bravery. The Fort’s massive battlements wind tenuously up a dust-brown hill. Inside the citadel are the ruins of palaces, assembly halls, stables, barracks and arsenal. The Fort has got a fantastic acoustic system by which a hand clap sounded in the Grand Portico can be heard in the Durbar Hall atop the hill. From the Throne Terrace one can see the pavilions from where Taramati and Pamamati, two favourite mistresses, are believed to have sung for their Sultans.
The fort is open daily from 7.00 am to 8.00 pm. There is a very interesting sound and light show every evening.

Venkateswara Temple (Birla Mandir) 
This is an elegant white marble-carved temple built by the Birla Foundation. It is opened daily from 7.00 am to noon and from 3.00 pm to 9.00 pm.

Birla Planetarium
It is located on top of Naubat Pahar Hill. There are English shows from Mondays to Saturdays at 11.30 am, 4.00 pm, 6.00 pm respectively and on Sundays at 11.00 am, 3.45 pm and 6 pm respectively. It is closed on the last Tuesday of the month. The Admission fee is around Rs.10.00.
 
Falaknuma Palace and Purani Haveli
If you are a lover of antiques, precious artifacts and architecture Falaknuma Palace and Purani Haveli will entrall you.

Mecca Masjid
Situated near the Charminar, Mecca Masjid is one of the largest mosques in the world. The construction of this mosque was started in the year 1614 by the 6th Qutub Shahi king, Abdullah Qutub Shahi, but was completed only in 1687 by the Mughul emperor Aurangazeb when he annexed the Golconda Kingdom.

Qutub Shahi Tombs
These seven elegant tombs, outside the Golconda Fort, contain the remains of seven of the rulers of the Qutub Shahi kingdom.

Hussain Sagar Lake
This picturesque 6 1/2 km by 4 km artificial lake, has a 17.5m high, 350 tonne (approximately) monolithic Buddha statue on a platform in the middle of the lake.

Nehru Zoological Park
A great attraction for kids, this large zoo, set in a scenic locale, houses a large number of animals. It has a lion safari and a toy-train that goes around the zoo. It is open daily  from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm except on Mondays. There is also an Aquarium in the Park, which is open daily between 10.30 am to 5.00 pm, except on Sundays.