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Born out of the name of Hyder Ali, the city of Hyderabad, also known as the City of Nizams, is today known as ‘Cyberabad’ - a booming center for techies and cyber kings. Combining Hindu and Islamic traditions to perfection, this capital city of Andhra Pradesh bears some of the richest elements of architectural masterpieces of both cultures. Not just about biriyani and IT sector, Pictures India shows you aspects much more and varied to it.
How about tasting the flavor of Nawabi lifestyle of the Nizams and getting a feel of royalty in the City of Nizams – Hyderabad. Having reached the standing of one of the most industrially developed cities in India and a modern hub of information technology, ITES, and biotechnology, the eternal city still breathes of love, passion, art, and history, striking a perfect harmony of the old and the new. In other words, talk about Hyderabad and you cannot miss out on warm hospitality, impressive mosques, monuments, minarets, art and architectural richness, and very importantly, the technological progress.
A holidaymaker’s ecstasy, and a historian’s delight, the legendary 400-year-old city of Hyderabad that has been home to the splendor of Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi dynasties, Mughal grandeur, royal cuisine, and exotic markets, is worldwide acclaimed for its intriguing contrasts and undying attractions. This capital of Andhra Pradesh thrives with a diversity of cultures that gives it a unique and exclusive edge.
Lovingly addressed as the Pearl City, Hyderabad offers a platter of tourist attractions ranging from heritage monuments, gardens and museums lakes and parks, to highly appraised cuisine and a wonderful shopping experience. Some of the tourist attractions have been beautifully arrested in the lenses of Pictures India.
 The Charminar is to Hyderabad as the Taj Mahal is to Agra or the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. Built by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of Hyderabad, in 1591, Charminar lies in the middle of the original city layout. It is originally believed to have been built as a charm to protect against a deadly epidemic creating at that time. It is the charm of the four minarets each towering up to a height of 48.7meters. The Charminar houses 45 prayer spaces and a mosque within its premises which reflect excellent architectural splendor.
 One of the charms of Hyderabad and India too, is the Golconda Fort. Owing its name to the Telugu words “Golla Konda” meaning “Shepherd’s Hill”, this fort has a history that dates back to the Yadava dynasty of Deogiri and the Kakatiyas of Warangal. Originally a mud fort, which eventually passed to the Bahmani dynasty and later still to the Qutb Shahis, who held it from 1518 to 1687 A.D, the fort is famous for its acoustics, palaces, 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. The first three Qutb Shahi kings recreated Golconda, over a span of 62 years. One of the outstanding features of the Golconda Fort is the Light and Sound presentation that elaborately narrates the glorious past of Golconda Fort.
 The tombs of the legendary Qutb Shahi kings that lie about a kilometer away from Banjara Darwaza of the Golconda Fort, call for a visit while you are on your tour to Hyderabad. Designed and built by the Qutb Shahis themselves, these mausoleums are perhaps the oldest historical memorials in Hyderabad. Laid on a raised platform, the tombs reflect an amalgamation of Persian, Pathan and Hindu architectural styles with the use of grey granite, with stucco ornamentation.
 History breathes in Hyderabad’s lanes and soul – Mecca Masjid is one more such example of the same. Built of bricks brought from Mecca, this mosque has a special religious significance. The Qutb Shahis statred building of the mosque but it was completed by Aurangzeb in 1694. Housing a hall measuring 67m and rising to a height of 54m, the mosque has fifteen graceful arches - five to each of the three sides, supporting the roof. Towards the southern part of the mosque are laid the marble graves of members of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.
 Originally the, the Legislative Assembly of Hyderabad was built in 1913. A nice fusion of Rajasthani and Persian structural styles, with an all white, aesthetic look, the Assembly, is located adjoining the picturesque Public Gardens. A huge statue of Mahatma Gandhi in a sitting position welcomes you at the entrance park to the Assembly.
 Testimony to the fact that education was significantly followed in Hyderabad, the Osmania University, built in 1918, stands as one of the oldest universities in India. Christened after Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, the university buildings are fabulous, particularly the Arts College, which is a perfect instance of Indo-Saracenic architecture.
 Among the museums, the Salar Jung Museum preserves collections of antiques assembled by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III with his singular efforts. The items that have found place here include Persian carpets, Chinese porcelain, Mughal miniatures, Japanese lacquerware, famous figurines including the Veiled Rebecca and Marguerite and Mephistopheles, a fine assortment of jade, daggers belonging to Queen Noor Jahan, Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan; and Aurangzeb’s sword along with many other fabulous items.
 If you have a fetish for art and artistic items, you will do well to visit the Andhra Pradesh State. Situated in the scenic Public Gardens, the museum, built in 1920 by the Nizam VII, contains a Buddhist gallery, Brahmanical & Jain gallery, Bronze gallery, Arms & Armour gallery, Numismatics gallery, Ajanta gallery and more. It is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture.
 Sprawled over 300 lush green acres, the Nehru Zoological Park is an ecstasy for nature lovers. It is home to more than 250 species of animals and birds. This is the first zoo to build moated enclosures for animals.
 While in Hyderabad, Public Gardens is a must-visit. It amazingly encloses the State Legislature, State Archaeological Museum, Jawahar Bal Bhavan, Jubilee Hall, and Telugu Lalita Kala Thoranam.
Who would miss an experience of the famous Ramoji Film City! A dream world created for the world of silver screen on a sprawling 1000 acres, with every possible set and location, it offers facilities to produce any kind of movie.
 Some of the other tourist attractions in Hyderabad include gardens and parks like, Lumbini Park, Hyderabad Botanical Gardens and many more. Lakes like Hussainsagar Lake and Osmansagar Lake are nice places to be around. Among national parks, KBR National Park, Mrugavani National Park (Chilkur) and Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park are nice options for nature lovers.
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