Copyright © 1998. BollyLove ® Azgar Khan.
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Hyderabad, a more than 400 year old city is the capital of Andhra
Pradesh and is fast emerging as the fifth metropolitan city in India offering
large growth opportunities. The city is highly cosmopolitan, and is endowed
with a variety of cultures. The city presents an attractive amalgamation
of ancient architecture together with the ebullience of growth and enterprise.
The city is equally modern with sophisticated five star hotels & hospitals,
shopping centers, eating places and entertainment facilities.
The history of Hyderabad begins with the formation of the Qutub Shahi
dynasty, Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the Fifth king of Golconda, founded
this city in 1591 by laying the foundation of the famous monument 'Charminar'
as the center of the city.
In 1687 the city fell to Emperor Aurangzeb, a defeat which marked the
end of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. In 1707, after Aurangzeb's death, his viceroy
in Hyderabad, Asaf Jah declared independence and proclaimed himself the
Nizam and formed the Asaf Jahi Dynasty whose rule spanned seven generations
and included some of the richest men in the world.
In 1798, an area north of Hussain Sagar lake was made a contonment.
This was the result of an alliance signed between the Nizam and the East
India company for military and political co-operation. The cantonment was
named Secunderabad after the then Nizam Sikander Jah.
Hyderabad & Secunderabad are one of the few twin cities
of the world. The cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are different in
their layout of buildings, their way of life and their very atmosphere.
Thus, side by side, these two cities present two different images, Hyderabad,
often called "the gateway to the South" blends the north and south Indian
identities. Yet from both, it has developed a distinct image of its own.
The city of Hyderabad is famous for its minarets and its pearl bazaar.
The city's gypsy tribes called "Lambadas" and "Banjaras" are known throughout
the country for their colorful costumes and the Hyderabadi cuisine is much
sought after.