Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, is acity of synthesis, where the north and the south meet as do its Hindu and Muslim cultural strains. Present day Hyderabad goes back to the 16th century, to the Quli Qutb Shahi dynasty, and later to the Nizam who proclaimed their independence from the Mughals. The last Nizam was considered to be the richest man in India.
WHAT TO SEE:
CHAR MINAR:
Hyderbad’s most popular monument, Char Mina, is an immense arch almost
200 feet high. Quili Qutab Shah, the fifty of the seven kings who ruled the region in the 16th and 17th centuries built it to mark the the end of a plague. All around are bazaars, including the famous Lal Bazaars, a street of bangle-seller.
MECCA MASJID:
One of the biggest mosque in Asia, the Mecca Masjid, near Char Minar, can accommodate 10.000 worshipers at one time. Its lofty colonnades and entrance arches are made of single slabs of granite brought from a stone quany 11 km away. It was started in 1614 by Abdullah Qutub Shalar of the Qutub shalri dynasty, and completed in 1687 by Aurangezeb when he annexed Golconda.
GOLCONDA FORT:
This legendary fort, once famous for its diamond market, was the capital of the Qutub Shalri kings who ruled the region from 1518 to 1687 AD. Now partly in ruins, it was a massive structure with a walled enclosure with light gates. The fort originally belonged to the Kakatiyas who ruled from Warangal, they ceded it to the Habmam’s who changed its mud construction to martan masonmy. From the Bhamam’s the fort passed on to the Qutab Shais. Aurangzeb annexed the fort in 1687.
EXCURSIONS:
AMRAVATI:
About 350 km from Hyderabad and 34 km. from Guntur, Amravati is an ancient Buddhist site, in fact the centre of Buddism in south India. The famous Mahachaitya that the Andhra Kings had built in the 2nd century BC was even bigger than the Sanchi Stupa. Nearly a 5 meter wide ambulatory path and 4.5 meter high surrounding railings were added between 150 AD. And 200 AD. The beautifully sculpted railings, relief medallions and carving stone slabs are among the greatest work of out of ancient India.
NAGARJUNAKONDA:
Closer to Hyderabad, about 150 km, the Nagarjuna Hill is situated 10 km. beyond the Nagarjunsagar reservoir dam. Excavations carried out in the valley have unearthed a Mahachaitya. This was also the palace for a Buddhist university with its Viharas or monasteries. There are Hindu temples and a ashwamedha sacrificial altar also. Paleslithic and Neolithic implements have been found at lower level of excavations. The entire area is named after the famous Buddhist scholar Nagarjunacharya who lived in the area in the 2nd century AD. Downstream from the reservoir is the 21-metre high Ethipothala waterfall formed by the Chandraanka.
WARANGAL:
About 150 kms. from Hyderbad, Warngal is best known for its beautiful lakes and temples. The most famous one is the 1000 pillar temple perched elegantly on the slopes of Hamamkonda. Each pillar is elaborately carried in the Chalukya style.
STANDARD SIGHTSEEING TOURS:
Half day sightseeing tour of the city visiting the Charminar-rectangular four arched monumental gate often described as the “The Arch of triumph of the East”, the Mecca Mosque and visit the salar jung Mesum- one man collection of Manuscripts, ancient weapons, costumes and curios. Later drive past the high court buildings.
EXCURSION TO GOLCONDA FORT:
Half day visit to Golconda Fort situated on western outskirts of Hyderabad. The Fort built in the 13th Century, served the kings as a stronghold, administrative centre and market place see the expensive roof gardens. Also visit the tombs of Qutub Shahi Kings in beautiful domed mausolea surrounded by gardens. The tombs follow certain patterns with Hindu style ornamentation, while important ones have their own mosques.
