Hyderabad, capital of Telangana

29 November - 4 December 2023

Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, was founded in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah of the Qutb Shahi dynasty on the banks of the Musi River. It soon became a centre of Persian culture, trade, and Islamic architecture. The city’s most iconic monument, the Charminar, was built the same year to mark the end of a plague and stands as a symbol of Hyderabad with its graceful arches and minarets.

Nearby, the Golconda Fort, earlier the Qutb Shahi capital, was famed for its diamond mines that produced the legendary Koh-i-Noor and Hope diamonds. The Qutb Shahi rulers also built the magnificent Qutb Shahi Tombs, a necropolis of domed granite mausoleums surrounded by landscaped gardens — a blend of Persian, Pathan, and Hindu styles.

After the Mughals annexed Golconda in 1687, Hyderabad rose again under the Asaf Jahi Nizams, who ruled from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. Their palaces — such as Chowmahalla and Purani Haveli (now the Nizam's Museum) — reflect royal opulence and European influence. Today, Hyderabad blends its regal past with modern vitality, where old bazaars, pearls, biryani, and tech hubs meet under the shadow of the Charminar, preserving the city’s unique Indo-Islamic heritage and cosmopolitan charm.

The Yashoda Hospital along HITEC City Main Road in HITEC City, a busy tech industry hub northwest of the old city of Hyderabad.

Along Durgam Cheruvu Road in HITEC City (Hyderabad Information Technology and Engineering Consultancy City) Hyderabad's financial business district and tech industry hub.

The Musi River, dividing the historic Old City from the new city of Hyderabad.

The Darush Shifa Mosque (Jama Masjid), along Darul Shifa Road, old Hyderabad.

The Maazar e Ibn e Qatoon, a Muslim shrine along Mir Alam Mandi Road.

The Mir Chowk Road in Pathar Gatti, a neighbourhood in old Hyderabad.

The Mir Alam Mandi Vegetable Market along Mir Chowk Road in Pathar Gatti.

Shops along Mir Chowk Road in Hyderabad.

Seller of lemonade, on the corner of Mir Chowk Road with Pathergatti Road, in the heart of Hyderabad.

Water-pipes for sale in a shop on the Mir Alam Mandi Road in Hyderabad.

Machli Kaman on Pathergatti Road, the northern arch of old Hyderabad.

Machli Kaman with behind it the Charminar monument, constructed in 1591, now the symbol of Hyderabad.

The Charminar (lit. 'four minarets'), constructed by fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, in 1591.

Visitors and traders near the Charminar in the heart of Hyderabad; in the background the Machli Kaman gate, one of the Char Kaman ('Four Gates').

One of the many traders near the Charminar.

Near the Charminar, with the Machli Kaman gate and the minaret of the Shujaiya mosque (Jama Masjid Shujaiya), built in 1597, in the background.

Traders around the near the Charminar in the heart of Hyderabad.

View northwards, of the Charminar (lit. 'four minarets'), constructed in 1591 by fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah after he shifted his capital from Golconda to Hyderabad.

Posing for photos in front of the Charminar.

Traders in front of the Government Nizamia General Hospital (General Unani Hospital), built in 1926 by His Exalted Highness Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad, just south of Charminar.

Clothing stalls, on the market in Charminar Road.

The Makkah Masjid (Mecca Masjid), the largest mosque of Hyderabad, built during the 17th century. It serves as the primary mosque for the Old City of Hyderabad.

View to Charminar (lit. 'four minarets') from the plaza in front of the Makkah Mosque.

The 17th century Makkah Masjid (Mecca Masjid), the primary mosque for the Old City of Hyderabad, one of the largest in India.

The New Ladbazar Road, south of Charminar, a busy shopping street in Hyderabad.

Display in a clothes store, along the New Ladbazar Road.

Busy New Ladbazar Road in central Hyderabad.

The Bara Imam, a long corridor of rooms facing the central fountain and pool that once housed the administrative wing of the Chowmahalla Palace, the official residence of the Nizams during their reign.

The Northern courtyard of the Chowmahalla Palace with the pool and the Bara Imam, the long corridor of rooms on the east side that used to house the administration

The Khilwat Mubarak, the heart of Chowmahalla Palace, held in high esteem by the people of Hyderabad, as it was the seat of power of the Asaf Jahi dynasty (1720-1948).

The grand pillared Durbar Hall, the formal Meeting Hall, in the Khilwat Mubarak, the heart of Chowmahalla Palace, with its 19 spectacular Chandeliers of Belgian crystal.

The pure marble platform on which the Takht-e-Nishan or the royal seat was laid. Here the Nizams held their durbar and other religious and symbolic ceremonies inn the Durbar.

The opulent Durbar Hall in the Chowmahalla Palace or Chowmahallat, the seat of power of the Asaf Jahi dynasty (1720-1948) and the official residence of the Nizams during their reign.

A photograph (1873) of Mir Mahboob Ali Khan Siddiqi, Asaf Jah VI (1866-1911), the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad, at age seven, with his two regents and other noblemen. He was the first Nizam to have a Western education.

A photograph (1911) of Mir Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII (1886-1967), the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad, when he ascended the throne at 25 years of age, in the Chowmahalla Palace.

Description of the life of Mukarram Jah Bahadur, Asaf Jah VIII (1967 -1971) in the Chowmahalla Palace. He was head of the House of Asaf Jah, but left for Western Australia, lost all his wealth and died in Turkey in 2023.

Weapon collection in the Chowmahalla Palace, the seat of power of the Asaf Jahi dynasty from 1720 to1948 and the official residence of the Nizams during their reign.

View to the Khilwat Mubarak, the heart of Chowmahalla Palace with its Durbar Hall of the Chowmahalla Palace, or Chowmahallat.

The 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost of Mir Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII (1886-1967), the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad, in Chowmahalla Palace.

View across the pond to the Tahniyat Mahal, a palace in the oldest part of the Chowmahalla Palace complex.

The clock tower (Khilafat clock) on the western side of the main gateway to the Chowmahalla Palace, with a clock that has been ticking since 1750. The mechanical clock is wound every week.

H.E.H the Nizam's Museum at Purani Haveli, a palace of the erstwhile Nizams. This museum showcases the gifts that the last Nizam of Hyderabad State, Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII received on his silver jubilee celebrations.

The Telangana State Archaeology Museum, the oldest museum in Hyderabad; it was built by the last Nizam (Nizam VII), Mir Osman Ali Khan, to preserve the unique heritage of the state.

The Telangana State Archaeology Museum was first established in 1927 as the Hyderabad Museum, located at Town Hall. It was shifted to the present building, constructed by the seventh Nizam in 1930.

The Telangana State Archaeology Museum, in a Nizam-era palace. It was constructed on command of the last Nizam (Nizam VII), Mir Osman Ali Khan, and formally inaugurated by him on 31 March 1931.

One of the old cannons, outside the Telangana State Archaeology Museum, the oldest museum in Hyderabad.

The Birla Mandir, an imposing, hilltop marble Hindu temple, with towers, shrines and interior carvings. It is located near Hussain Sagar Lake, atop a 85-metre high hillock called Naubath Pahad.

The Birla Mandir, built by the Birla Foundation with white marble from Rajasthan. Construction took ten years; it was opened in 1976 by Swami Ranganathananda of Ramakrishna Mission

The Amrutha Castle, a boutique hotel opposite State Secretariat, Ambedkar Colony, Khairtabad, Hyderabad.

The Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat, the administrative office of the employees of the Government of Telangana in India. Construction started in January 2021 and it was inaugurated on 30 April 2023.

The Telangana Martyrs Memorial, also called Telangana Amara Jyothi or Amaraveerula Stupa, a monument built for 369 students who died during the 1969 agitation for a separate Telangana state.

The stainless steel base of the Telangana Martyrs Memorial to the 369 students who died in 1969 in demonstrations for a separate Telangana state. It mirrors the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat.

The Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat, named after Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the “Father of the Indian Constitution”. Built in Indo-Saracenic style in 2021-2023, it is the administrative office of the Government of Telangana.

The Buddha statue, the world's tallest monolith of Gautama Buddha, on Gibraltar Rock in the middle of Hussain Sagar lake, at Lumbini Park. The statue was installed on the platform on 1 December 1992.

Carvings of the Buddha on the base of the Buddha statue on Gibraltar Rock in Hussain Sagar lake. In 2006, the Dalai Lama consecrated the statue after performing a ritual.

Carvings of the life of the Buddha on the base of the Buddha statue on Gibraltar Rock in the middle of Hussain Sagar lake, at Lumbini Park.

Golconda Fort, a fortified citadel and ruined city located on the western outskirts of Hyderabad. Originally built in the 11th century by the Telugu Kakatiya dynasty, out of mud walls.

Bala Hissar Darwaza, the arched gateway with elaborate carvings of peacocks and lions on the eastern side of Golconda Fort, the capital of the Golconda Sultanate under the Qutb Shahi sultans for 171 years.

Golconda Fort from Nagina Bagh, one of the gardens in Golconda fort and associated with the Abdur Razzaq Lari, the loyal soldier of Abul Hasan, the last Qutb Shah king, who was arrested by Auranzeb's forces and died in his prison in 1687.

View to the crenellated walls of Golconda Fort from Nagina Bagh, one of the gardens in Golconda fort.

View towards Hyderabad of the ruined city from the hill at Golconda Fort, a fortified citadel, the capital of the Golconda Sultanate. The Qutb Shahi sultans ruled Golconda for 171 years, until Aurangzeb conquered the Deccan in 1687.

View with a watchtower, from the hill at Golconda Fort, a fortified citadel, looking towards Hyderabad.

The Sri Mahankali Mandir, a Hindu temple on the hill at Golconda Fort.

The Baradari (Darbar Hall) at the top of the citadel of Golconda Fort.

VView from the Baradari (Darbar Hall) to the ruined city at Golconda Fort, with Hyderabad on the horizon. The Qutb Shahi sultans ruled Golconda for 171 years, until the Mughal Empire under Aurangzeb conquered the Deccan in 1687 and deposed the last king.

Taramati Palace, from below the Baradari (Darbar Hall) at Golconda Fort, capital of the Golconda Sultanate until the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, moved the capital to Hyderabad in 1591.

View from the Baradari (Darbar Hall) at Golconda Fort towards the Qutb Shahi Tombs. At right the tomb of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth sultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, who ruled from 1580 to 1611.

The tomb of Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah, the second ruler of the Sultanate of Golkonda under the Qutb Shahi dynasty. He ruled from 1543 to 1550.

The tomb of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, who ascended to the throne in 1580 at the age of 15 and ruled until 1611. His reign is considered one of the high points of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. He founded the city of Hyderabad and moved the capital in 1591.

Visitors posing for their picture in front of the Baradari (Darbar Hall) at the top of the citadel of Golconda Fort.