From Forts To Palaces, A Checklist For Your Hyderabad Visit

The capital of Telangana, Hyderabad, has a rich and colourful historical background. The land of the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond, the city draws tourists from across the world. In 2022, Hyderabad won the prestigious 'World Green City Award 2022' award at the International Association of Horticulture Producers (AIPH) award ceremony, in Jeju, South Korea, where it competed against other international cities like Paris, Bogota, Mexico City, Montreal, and Fortaleza in Brazil.

Renowned for its iconic landmarks, such as the Charminar and Golconda Fort, the city narrates tales of the illustrious Nizams who once ruled here. Beyond its historical grandeur, Hyderabad is a bustling metropolis that embraces technology, gastronomic delights, and a vibrant arts scene. If you plan to visit Hyderabad, here are some beautiful sites you should not miss.

Charminar

One of the most cherished tourist destinations is Charminar. Constructed by Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah in 1591, the fort was built to honour his wife, Bhagmati. However, it is popularly believed that the monument was built to acknowledge the elimination of plague which had ravaged the entire city. Following the Sultan's prayer to end the people's sufferings, he had built the Charminar as a tribute to Allah. The monument is a square-shaped structure adorned with four pillars with intricate carvings. It is also believed that there is a secret underground tunnel that connects Charminar to the Golconda Fort. It was built for the royal family, to escape in case of any kind of emergencies. However, till date no tunnel could be found.

Golconda Fort

Situated just 11 km away from the hustle and bustle of Telangana lies Golconda Fort. A mesmerising citadel constructed by the Qutb Shahi dynasty in 1143, this site was previously used as the capital of the Golconda Sultanate. The site is located close to Kollur Mine, which trades large diamonds. The site has produced the world's most beautiful stones like Koh-i-Noor (at present in the United Kingdom), the Blue Hope (United States), the Pink Daria-i-Noor (Iran) and a lot more. One of most magnificent fortress complexes in India, Golconda Fort's history goes back to early 13th century. An architectural marvel, one can witness phenomenal accoustic effects. Clapping your hand at a certain point near the dome entrance reverberates which is heard clearly at the hill top pavilion, almost one kilometre away. This served as a warning note to the inhabitants of the fort of any impending danger.

Ramoji Film City

This film city is the most sought-after set in the world. The Guinness Book of World Records awarded it as the largest film studio in the world. The film city bears witness to famous films like Baahubali 2 The Conclusion, Chennai Express, K.G.F Chapter 2 and more. It was constructed by Ramoji Rao, a Telugu media tycoon, in 1996.

Chowmahalla Palace

Translating to 'Four Palaces,' this palace is a must-visit destination. The site has pretty shaped courtyards with intricate work. Its construction was started in 1750 by Nizam Salabhat Jung, but it was completed between 1857 and 1869 by Nizam Afzar-ud-Dawla Bahadur. The palace is a replica of the Shah's Palace in Teheran, Iran.

Hussain Sagar Lake

Also referred to as Tank Bund, Ibrahim Quil Qutb Shah built this heart-shaped lake in Telangana in 1563. It is the largest artificial lake in Asia. The lake features a giant monolithic statue of Gautama Buddha, which has stood in the middle of the lake on Gibraltar Rock since 1992. This lake also divides Hyderabad from its neighbouring state, Secunderabad. The way to the lake is through Lumbini Park, a good spot to enjoy with children. Boating on the lake is also one of the popular activities.

Falaknuma Palace

One of the grandest baroque mansions, the Falaknuma Palace is a must-visit. Falaknama means 'mirror of the sky' and the palace was built in a way that it would seem to be in the clouds -- constructed on top of the Kohetoor hill (about 2,000 feet from sea level). It took 10 years to build and was completed in 1894. Today, the former residence of the Nizam family, the palace has been taken over by the Taj group of hotels.