Hyderabad is the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad metropolitan area is the fifth largest in India.  The city of Charminar, it was founded by Quli Qutab Shah. Legends say that the foundation of the city is the result of a love story between the prince and a village belle. To appease his beloved, Bhagmati, he named the city Bhagnagar (the city of good fortune) which later changed to Hyderabad. Modeled after Isfaan in Iran, the city was meant to be a symbol of the might of the Qutab Shahi rulers. When it was completed in 1592, the city received lavish praises from many visitors including Tavernier and Abbe Carr.
Hyderabad is also the city of fabulously rich Nizams, the stories of whose hordes of gold, diamonds and pearls spread far and wide. Present-day Hyderabad is a place where tradition and modernity meet, besides preserving its rich cultural heritage. Hyderabad and Secunderbad are twin cities, seperated by Hussain Sagar which is a man made lake. The city is nearly 400 years old and is noted for its natural beauty, mosques and minarets, bazaars and bridges, hills and lakes. The name itself brings up visions of a vibrant city of minarets and modern high - rise buildings. A natural and sophisticated blend of old and new, an old 'Nawabi' culture with a new pro-active approach and hospitality.

ATTRACTIONS

Golconda Fort -

Golconda is one of the famous forts of India. The name originates from the Telugu words "Golla Konda" meaning "Shepherd's Hill". The origins of the fort can be traced back to the Yadava dynasty of Deogiri, and the Kakatiyas of Warangal. Golconda was originally a mud fort, which passed to the Bahmani dynasty and later to the Qutb Shahis, who held it from 1518 to 1687 A.D. The first three Qutb Shahi kings rebuilt Golconda over a span of 62 years. The fort is famous for its acoustics, palaces, factories, ingenious water supply system and the famous Fateh Rahben gun, one of the cannons used in the last siege of Golconda by Aurangzeb, to whom the fort ultimately fell.

Charminar-

Charminar is as much the signature of Hyderabad as Taj Mahal is of Agra or Eiffel Tower is of Paris. Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of Hyderabad, built Charminar in 1591 at the centre of the original city layout. It is believed to have been built as a charm to ward off a deadly epidemic raging at that time. Four graceful minarets soar to a height of 48.7m. Charminar has 45 prayer spaces and a mosque in it.

Salar Jung Museum -

This museum houses one of the biggest one-man collections of antiques and artifacts in the world by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III. The objects d'art include Persian carpets, Moghal miniatures, Chinese porcelain, Japanese lacquer ware, famous sculptures including the Veiled Rebecca and Marguerite and Mephistopheles, a superb collection of jade, daggers belonging to Queen Noor Jahan and the Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb's sword and many other fabulous items.

The Nizam's Museum -

** Closed on Fridays

Located in the stately Purani Haveli, the palace acquired in the year 1750, by the second Nizam, is now converted as a museum with a fascinating collection. The museum showcases the gifts & mementos presented to the last Nizam on the occasion of Silver Jubilee Celebration in 1937. A 1930 Rolls Royce, Packard & a Mark V Jaguar are among the vintage cars displayed. There is an interesting collection of models made in silver of all the prominent buildings of the city & citations in Urdu about H.E.H Mir Osman Ali Khan, gold burnished wooden throne used for the Silver Jubilee Celebrations, gold tiffin box inlaid with diamonds, gold model of Jubilee Pavilion and a silver filigree elephant with mahout are some of the notable items on display.

Andhra Pradesh State Museum -

A visit to the Andhra Pradesh State Museum is a delight for art lovers. Located in the picturesque Public Gardens, the museum boasts of one of the richest repositories of antiques and art objects in the country. Built in 1920 by the Nizam VII, the museum building itself is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The museum contains a Buddhist gallery, Brahmanical & Jain gallery, Arms & Armour gallery, Numismatics gallery, Ajanta gallery & more. Adjacent to the State Museum is the Contempary Art Museum.

Birla Mandir -

This shimmering ethereal temple of Lord Venkateshwara, built in sculpted white marble, floats on the city skyline, on Kala Pahad. The idol in the temple is a replica of the one at Tirupati.

Hussain Sagar Lake-

Built by Ibrahim Qutab Shah in 1550, the Hussain Sagar Lake is a large artificial lake lying between Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The lake was created in gratitude to Hussain Shah Wali, who had cured Ibrahim Qutab Shah of a disease. A huge statue of Lord Buddha has been put into the centre of the lake.

Legislative Assembly -

Built in 1913, the building was originally the Hyderabad State Town Hall. The architecture is a synthesis of Rajasthani and Persian styles, with an all white, aesthetic look. Located adjoining the picturesque Public Gardens, a massive statue of Mahatma Gandhi in a sitting posture is erected at the entrance park to the Assembly.