Hyderabad
Hyderabad - The City of Pearls
Known as the law capital of Andhra Pradesh, the city of Hyderabad is definitely a must-visit for its incredible tourist attractions.
However, it was the year 2014 when this city was separated for the purpose of forming a completely new . Culturally and geographically speaking, Hyderabad has always been a significant city in the history of our nation.
Located on the hilly terrains, this beautiful city is situated on the banks of the Musi River and is also the most populous city in India. Not just that, it is also home to some of the most astounding artificial lakes like Hussain Sagar Lake, Osman Sagar, and Himayat Sagar.
Since this city was established in 1591, it has been ruled by many different rulers, thus, it has got a wide variety of cultures to relish. Moreover, it is an amazing place to taste the flavors of Indian heritage. Golconda Fort, Charminar, Mecca Masjid are some of the popular examples of such tourist attractions.
Hyderabad is also widely known for its pearls and diamonds and hence is also known as the City of Pearls.
History of Hyderabad
It is quite intriguing to know that there have been findings of Iron Age sites in Hyderabad dating back to 500 BCE. Yes, the region of the modern-day Hyderabad was once ruled by the Chalukya dynasty from 624 CE to 1075 CE. And after the fall of the Chalukya empire into four parts, the city of Golconda had come under the rule of the Kakatiya dynasty.
Later on, in history, the Kakatiya dynasty was also reduced to nothing but dust by the rise of an even stronger Khalji dynasty. This was the timeline of around 1310 when Sultan Alauddin Khalji had defeated them to take over the empirical throne. And it was during this time that Alauddin Khalji stole the Koh-i-Noor diamond too, which was said to have been extracted from the mines at Kollu, Golconda.
Then in 1325, Muhammad-bin-Tughluq succeeded the Delhi throne and brought the Tughlaq dynasty to a whole new plane of success and prosperity.
Modern History of Hyderabad
It was the year 1714 when the Mughal Emperor, Farrukhsiyar had appointed Asaf Jah I to be the Viceroy of the Deccan region. And then in 1724, Asaf Jah I defeated Mubariz Khan for the purpose of establishing his autonomy over the Deccan Suba. There were also many subsequent rulers who ruled after him starting the chain of the much-known Asaf Jahi Dynasty. And then Asaf Jah II reigned from 1762 to the year 1803.
Major Attraction in and Around Hyderabad
1. Charminar
Charminar was constructed in the year 1591, this historic monument is a peculiar example of Indian heritage. The populous markets surrounding this structure are just a delight to experience, making this spot worth your time and energy. Charminar is one of the must-visit .
2. Ramoji Film City
Since its establishment in 1991, the has been a phenomenal tourist attraction to explore in Hyderabad. Do you know that this place has the capacity to house 50 film units at a single time? It is spread over 2,500 acres and is situated at a distance of about 30 km from Hyderabad. The brilliant architecture and technical facilities of Ramoji Film City make it very prominent for all kinds of film shootings.
3. Golconda Fort
Golconda fort acts as a fortified citadel which was also the earliest capital city of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. The humongous structure of this fort is a must-watch. It was owing to the presence of the diamond mines that Golconda had flourished as one of the major trade centers for large diamonds which were also known as the Golconda diamonds.
4. Hussain Sagar Lake
Asia’s largest artificial lake, is an amusing destination for the locals and tourists alike. What makes this lake really special is its heart shape. Yes, from above, this lake seems to be like an adorable heart pitched against Earth. This lake was built by Quli Qutb Shah in the year 1563 and is spread across an area of 5.7 square kilometers. The major highlight of this lake is the giant monolithic statue of Gautama Buddha.
Things to Do in Hyderabad
- Try Hyderabadi Biryani at iconic places like Paradise, Bawarchi, or Shadab.
- Shop at Laad Bazaar for pearls, bangles, and traditional clothing.
- Explore Hi-Tech City (HITEC City), the IT and business hub.
- Visit Nehru Zoological Park to see a diverse range of wildlife.
- Enjoy a boat ride on Hussain Sagar Lake.
- Watch a movie at Prasads IMAX, one of India's largest screens.
- Take a heritage walk through the old city to experience its history.
- Experience nightlife at pubs and lounges in Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills.
Best Time to Visit Hyderabad
- October to March – Best time for sightseeing with pleasant weather (15°C - 30°C).
- April to June – Avoid summer as temperatures rise above 40°C, making travel uncomfortable.
- July to September – Monsoon season brings moderate rain, making the city green but humid.
How to Reach Hyderabad
Famously known as the City of Nizams, Hyderabad is all about exploring the amazing historical charm of mosques, old roads, and chaotic bazaars. Hyderabad is located at a distance of 1,558, 712, 1,504, 569 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can reach Hyderabad by the following means of transportation.
By Air
The best option to travel to Hyderabad by air is the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD). Named after the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, this airport was established on 23rd March 2008 with the objective to replace Begumpet airport.
As per the data of 2019, this airport was considered the sixth busiest airport in terms of overall passenger traffic in India.
Many airlines operate to and fro Hyderabad connecting many other Indian cities.
- Bengaluru - Board Air Asia, IndiGo, Spicejet, Air India flights from Kempegowda International Airport. The airfares are starting from Rs.1,500
- Delhi - Board Air Asia, IndiGo, Spicejet, Vistara flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport. The airfares are starting from Rs.2,000
- Surat - Board Spicejet, IndiGo, Air India flights from Surat International Airport. The airfares are starting from Rs.3,000
- Kolkata - Board IndiGo, Spicejet, Air India, Vistara from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. The airfares are starting from Rs.2,500
- Indore - Board IndiGo, Air India, Vistara flights from Indore Airport. The airfares are starting from Rs.2,500
By Train
Hyderabad has three main railway stations namely Hyderabad Railway Station, Secunderabad Railway Station, and Kachiguda Railway Station. All of these train stations connect various Indian cities in a fairly good manner.
Depending upon your location, you decide to deboard at one of these stations.
- Delhi - Board Telangana Express or Dakshin Express from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station respectively and deboard at the Secunderabad Junction
- Bengaluru - Board Kacheguda Express from Bengaluru Cant and deboard at the Kacheguda Station
- Mumbai - Board Konark Express from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and deboard at the Secunderabad Junction
- Chennai - Board Hyderabad Express from MGR Chennai CTL and deboard at the Secunderabad Junction
- Mysuru - Board Jaipur Express from Mysuru Junction and deboard at the Kacheguda Junction
- Surat - Board RJT SC Express from Surat Junction and deboard at the Secunderabad Junction
By Road
Depending upon your location, you can consider traveling to Hyderabad via road as well. You can choose to travel in your own vehicle, cab or bus.
From Vijayawada, the bus fares start from Rs.350. From Bengaluru, the bus fares start from Rs.1,500. From Mysuru, the bus fares start from Rs.1,100.
- Delhi - 1,558 km via NH44 or NH46
- Bengaluru - 576 km via NH48
- Mumbai - 826 km via NH65 or NH52
- Surat - 940 km via NH65 or NH52
- Madurai - 1,168 km via NH44
- Vijayawada- 275 km via NH65
- Pune - 695 km via NH65
Frequently Asked Questions about Hyderabad
Q. What are the best places to visit in Hyderabad?
A. Some of the best places to visit in Hyderabad are Charminar, Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Salar Jung Museum, and Chowmahalla Palace.
Q. What is the famous food of Hyderabad?
A. Hyderabad is famous for its Biryani, a spicy rice dish made with meat and spices.
Q. What languages are spoken in Hyderabad?
A. Telugu and Urdu are widely spoken. Hindi and English are also commonly understood.
Q. How many days are enough for a Hyderabad trip?
A. A 3 to 4-day trip is ideal to cover major attractions, food, and shopping.
