A unique city with multifarious attractions

Hyderabad has a rich past. It was founded in 1591 by Mohammad Quli IV who named it Bhagyanagar after the name of his beloved Bhagyawati. This was also the beginning of composite cultures where people professing different faiths and religions, particularly Hindus and Muslims, lived together, and celebrated each other’s festivals without any kind of inhibition till the first quarter of this century. Thereafter, unfortunately, differences began to surface mainly because of interference of religious bigots and politicians, opines V.S. Mahajan

HYDERABAD, not a big city at the time of Independence, has by now grown into a large metropolican complex where its present Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is all determined to convert it into a global software giant. A number of top firms are struggling hard to get a foothold in its fast developing silicon valley which holds exceptional promises for the future. In fact Bangalore, which earlier dominated, is now loosing ground.

Apart from its dynamic industrial growth, where unlike many industrial cities Hyderabad is yet a far less victim of pollution, thanks to its planned and well-managed programmes, it holds major attraction for tourists, particularly during winter period, when its mild temperature presents a major contrast to the chilly cold of north.

Hyderabad has a rich past. It was founded in 1591 by Mohammad Quli IV who named it Bhagyanagar after the name of his beloved Bhagywati. This was also the beginning of composite cultures where people professing different faiths and religions, particularly Hindus and Muslims, lived together, and celebrated each other’s festivals without any kind of inhibition till the first quarter of this century when, unfortunatly, differences began to surface mainly because of interference of religious bigots and politicians.

In due course Bhagayanagar became Hydermahal and finally Hyderabad. Earlier the city was dotted by well laid-out gardens and had earned the name of garden city. Most of these historically significant baghs like Jambagh, SeetarambaghMoosarambagh, Lalbagh (note the peculiarity in their names) had with pressure on space been converted into concrete jungles.

With Charminar as the centrepiece and four roads radiating from it in different directions, the city was laid out in well formed grid system. The thoroughfares on these roads were lined by a very large number of shops. Though the situation has since changed enormously, still Charminar holds its unique attraction for the tourists. It continues to be a major landmark of Hyderabad, a monument with four graceful minarets which is said to have been built just after two years of the founding of Hyderabad to ward off a deadly epidemic that was spreading fast in the city. Thus it is referred to as Arc of Triumph in the East, its central structure rises to the height of 180 feet. The old shopping complex of the city is spread around it and does roaring business.

The famous Mecca Masjid, where the central arcis are said to have ben built with brought from Mecca, hence this name, is very close to Charminar.

The Salarjung Museum is another major attraction. It is the largest one-man venture in the world built by Nawab Mir Tulab Ali Khan, the Prime Minister of Hyderabad and titled Salar Jung Bahadur in 1853. His quest for art objects grew into a passion resulting in the greatest private collection of objects of arts like Persian carpets, Chinese porcelain, Japan lacquerware, sculptors, Aurangzeb’s sword daggers belonging to Queen Nur Jahan and Emperors Jahangir and Shahjahan. One of the major attractions of the museum is the manual striking of hours in the clock, when a man appears on the scene strikes a particulars hour as per time with a hammer and then quietly disappears within the clock.

Birla Trust has made unique contribution to the city. There is its famous Sri Venkateswara Temple perched high up. It is indeed a marvellous structure built on the 280-feet high Kala Pahad overlooking the picturesque Hussain Sagar. It is said to have been built with 2000 tonnes of white marble. "The magnificent architecture of the temple is a synthesis of North Indian and South Indian styles. The main temple is a blend of Khajuraho and Bodh Gaya of North Indian and Raj Gopuram and Gurudalaya of South Indian architecture. The main deity is nine-and a-half-feet high, made of granite brought from Phiranangipuram in Guntur District."

Apart from this attractive landmark, there is also Birla Planetarium, first of its kind with Japanese latest technology. It is located on Naubatpahad and has turned out to be a major attraction.

The Osmania University campus has several redeeming features of its own. Built over 1510 acres of prime land, the university is a fine tribute architecture where Hindu, Muslim, Christian and other cultures have been skilfully blended together.

About the Arts College building which was the first to come up and where university was initially housed, it was started by Baverly Nicholas in 1942: "It is dream, in stone, of Hindu-Muslim unity. An impossible dream, one would think at first. Muslim art is masculine and simple. Hindu art is feminine and elaborate. Muslim art is of the morning Hindu art is of the night. How could spirits be fused? Would they not fight each other, in pillar and parapet, as they have fought each other on platform and in pulpit? But the answer is no. They do not fight. The stones sing together most sweetly. It is a miraculous synthesis, of the happiest augury of the future."

Poet Tagore was also fascinated by the university architecture and eulogised the ruler of Hyderabad for constructing such a cosmopolitan structure as well introducing the state language as the medium of instructions.

As said earlier, Hyderabad has been called ‘garden city’. A major public garden which is one of the best laid-out garden is very close to the railway station itself, and is interestingly dotted by major state buildings like the legislative assembly, the state Archaeological Museum, Jawaharlal Bal Bhavan, Telugu Lalitha Kala Thoranam — an open air theatre.

The city is well provided by man-created lakes. Hussain Sagar Lake, which links the city of Hyderabad with Secunderabad, a couple of centuries old, is yet in good shape and is very popular with visitors. Thirty three statues of famous leaders from Andhra have been placed along with its boundary. There is a music fountain in the artificially laid Lumbini Park. A 16-metre-tall 1350-tonne weighing statue of Lord Buddha has been placed in the lake. Continuous efforts are being made to further improve the surroundings of the lake and make it even more attractive for visitors.

While Hussain Sagar Lake was created to meet the water supply needs of the city, gradually with the growth of city it had already turned out to be insufficient. Hence to meet such growing demand, a dam has been constructed across the Mussa river, 20 km away from Hyderabad. It was planned by very eminent engineer M. Visweswaryya, who had created the world-known Brindawan Gardens in Mysore, and opened in 1920. The catchment area of this lake is 46 sq km and is at present the main drinking water source of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, though with high urbanisation this, too, started proving inadequate. This place also offers an attractive tourist spot amidst well-laid gardens.

Another tourist spot located in the vicinity of man-made Jawahar Lake is 27 km away from Secunderabad on the Hyderabad-Karimganj Road. Close to it is also a deer park maintained by the Forest Department.

Hyderabad has another first to its credit. The biggest ever zoo in India is located here, spread over 300 acres of lush green area. It has a large variety of species and animals which are kept in natural environments. The Lion Safari Park, said to be the first of its kind in Asia, is located here, as also the natural history museum, a pre-historic animal park and a very large children’s park.

A visit to Hyderabad would be incomplete without visiting its famous Golconda Fort. Before the city was found, the Deccan was ruled from Golconda Fort. "Founded originally by the Kakatiyas in the 13th century, the existing structure was expanded by the Qutub Shahi Kings into a massive fort of granite with walls and ramparts extending some 5 km in circumstance. The fortress city within the walls was famous for the diamond trade, and the Koh-i-Noor diamond is said to have come from here. The historic Golconda Fort lies 11 km west of the city. The name originates from the Telugu words Golla and Konda by (Shepherd’s Hill). Later, the fort was taken over by the Bahamai kings, who subsequently passed it to the Qutub Shahis.

Golconda Fort’s famous features include acoustics, palaces, fortresses, water supply system and the famous Rahiban Cannon used by Aurangzeb during the capture seize of this fort where ultimately he turned victorious. Not to be missed here is the sound and light show arranged by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department held in the evening to re-enact the glory of Qutal Shahi Dynasty.

Close to Golconda Fort is another landmark worth visiting. Here in Ibrahim Bagh, amidst charming surroundings, are artfully created tombs of seven Qutub Shahi rulers.

Hyderabad is equally famous for its commercial activity. In fact it has gained an enviable position in South Asia and one can get the latest world class imported goods as well locally manufactured ones which too have gained world class status. As said earlier, Hyderabad is now emerging as a software computer market in South Asia and here the present regime has done its best to attract top firms.

Hyderabad is also well known for its good food, tasty dishes, kababs, nans, biryani and tandoori preparations served in the city’s several restaurants and hotels. The city is very well connected both by rail and air services. In fact now direct flights are available to several global capitals.

Thus, Hyderabad’s glorious past and rich present combine together to make it a unique city which holds a great attraction for the visitors.