One of the most stunning cities of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad is where history stands still and erect, despite the recently constructed tech towers and plush malls. A walk through the old lanes of Hyderabad will bring you close to its graceful palaces, mosques, royal structures and old charming markets. Trip to Hyderabad remains incomplete unless you visit these historical sites and cherish the old yet graceful beauty of one of the richest princely states in pre- independence India. Here are few important ones.
1. Charminar: located at the heart of Hyderabad’s old city, this imposing gateway has turned out to be the city’s best known symbol and landmark. Long back in 1591, the Charminar was built by Mohammad Quli Qutub Shahto mark the end of a devastating plague in the city. The four beautiful minarets that rise up to a height of around 20mts from the roof have named the monument as Charminar. It is also the home to the oldest mosque in the city. A heritage walk around the surrounding old historical lanes take you back to the bygone era that can only remain as a living picture within our hearts.
2. Hussain Sagar Lake: built in 1562 on one of the tributaries of the Musi River, the Hussain Sagar Lake today stands as one of the most picturesque sights between Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The 16mts high Buddha stone statue in the middle of the lake is the biggest attraction. Tourists can easily hire a boat from Lumbini Park to go till the statue. Though it was constructed during the reign of Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah, it still dazzles and looks as if it was built yesterday.
3. Salar Jung Museum: this sprawling museum is an abode to more than 35, 000 treasures amassed by Salar Jung III, the wazir of the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad. The collection includes Persian miniatures, furniture, handicrafts, manuscripts, sculptures, weapons and paintings from Europe Asia, Africa and different parts of India. The star attraction of the museum is the “Veiled Rebecca”. It is a life-sized marble statue of a Bibilical character carved in the late 19th century by an Italian sculptor called Giovani Battista Benzoni.
4. Mecca Masjid: it is Hyderabad’s largest and oldest church located next to Charminar. Initially it was built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in 1614, and was embellished by Aurangzeb in 1694. The mosque contains the tombs of Nizams of Hyderabad from 1803 onwards.
