🏛️ Saroornagar Palace
Victoria Memorial Home – The Sixth Nizam's Hunting Lodge Turned Orphanage
A Palace of Royalty Turned Sanctuary: On the outskirts of old Hyderabad, nestled between the historic Saroornagar Lake and a neighbourhood that has long since been absorbed by urban sprawl, stands a palace with a unique and poignant history. Unlike the opulent Chowmahalla or the sprawling Falaknuma, Saroornagar Palace was built as a hunting lodge and summer retreat for Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad. But after it was deemed inauspicious for royal residence, the palace was transformed into an orphanage known as the Victoria Memorial Home, a sanctuary for destitute children.
For over a century, this palace has not been a monument to royal excess but a living, breathing home for those without one. Its story — from royal hunting ground to child welfare institution — is one of the most remarkable transformations in Hyderabad's rich architectural and social history.
🏷️ The Name – Saroornagar: A Gift to Suroor Afza Bai
👑 A Village Gifted by Asaf Jah II: The area's name has an interesting origin. Asaf Jah II (the second Nizam of Hyderabad) had given away a village beyond Malakpet as inam (gift) to Prime Minister Nawab Arastu Jah Bahadur's wife Suroor Afza Bai. Arastu built a palace for his wife here and developed a huge garden around it. Since then, the village came to be known as Saroornagar.
📜 History – The Sixth Nizam's Hunting Lodge & Summer Resort
🦌 Mir Mahbub Ali Khan – The Sixth Nizam (1869–1911): The palace was built by the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan (Asaf Jah VI), who reigned from 1869 to 1911. Known for his love of shikar (hunting), the Nizam built this palace as a hunting lodge and summer resort for himself and his family.
Location – Adjacent to Saroornagar Lake: The palace came up on 65 acres of land close to the historic Saroornagar Lake (built in 1626). The area was once a quiet retreat on the outskirts of Hyderabad, far from the hustle of the city centre.
Considered Inauspicious: The palace, however, was considered inauspicious for the Nizam. As a result, he rarely resided there, and it fell into disuse as a royal residence. On the request of the then British Resident, and following the death of Queen Victoria (22 January 1901), the palace was dedicated to the memory of the Queen Empress.
🕊️ Victoria Memorial Home – A Palace Turned Orphanage (1901)
🏡 A New Chapter – From Royal Palace to Children's Home: On the request of the then British Resident, the palace was dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria. It was thus named the Victoria Memorial Home and has since been used as a children's home for destitute girls and boys. The home is managed by the Girls' Friendship Society, which runs the orphanage to this day.
A Living Institution, Not a Museum: Unlike other Nizam-era palaces that have been converted into hotels or museums, Saroornagar Palace remains a functional institution. It has served as a sanctuary for hundreds of orphaned children over the past 120 years, embodying a unique legacy of compassion and service.
Contribution of Princess Niloufer: Princess Niloufer, the wife of Prince Moazzam Jah (son of the seventh Nizam), took a keen interest in the welfare of the children at Victoria Memorial Home. Her contributions to the institution are remembered as part of her broader philanthropic work in Hyderabad, which included the establishment of the Niloufer Hospital and other social welfare initiatives.
🏛️ Architecture – Nizam-era Grandeur on 65 Acres
🎨 A Palace of Its Time: The palace reflects the architectural sensibilities of the late 19th century, with influences from both European and Indo-Saracenic styles — characteristic of the Nizam's period. While not as opulent as the grandest Hyderabad palaces, Saroornagar Palace has a quiet dignity befitting its current role as a children's home.
Key Features:
- 65-acre estate adjoining the historic Saroornagar Lake
- Sprawling gardens that once formed part of the royal hunting grounds
- Palace buildings designed for royal leisure and relaxation
- Adjacent to Saroornagar Lake (built 1626, Qutb Shahi period)
🤝 The Girls' Friendship Society – Managing the Orphanage
👧 A Legacy of Social Service: The Girls' Friendship Society has managed the Victoria Memorial Home for generations. The orphanage provides shelter, education, and care to destitute children, continuing the palace's unique legacy of royal philanthropy.
Recent Developments: On 7 February 2026, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari directed officials to process the issuance of a Fresh Lease Deed in favour of Girls' Friendship Society for the Victoria Memorial Home at Saroornagar. The government order of 31 May 1955 pertaining to the transfer of the home to the society was also reviewed at the meeting.
💧 Adjacent to Saroornagar Lake – A Historic Water Body
🌊 A 400-Year-Old Lake (1626): The palace is located adjacent to the historic Saroornagar Lake, built in 1626 during the Qutb Shahi dynasty. The lake originally covered over 140 acres and served agricultural and drinking water needs. The serene lake and its surrounding greenery would have provided the perfect setting for the Nizam's hunting lodge and summer retreat.
⏰ Visitor Information
📍 Address
Victoria Memorial Home (Saroornagar Palace)
Saroornagar, Hyderabad,
Telangana – 500035
🕐 Visiting
Access Note: Saroornagar Palace is now a functional orphanage (Victoria Memorial Home). It is not open to the public as a tourist attraction. Visitors may view the exterior from the surrounding area, but access inside is restricted to maintain the privacy and well-being of the resident children.
🚗 How to Reach
Nearest Metro: Chaitanyapuri Metro Station (Red Line) – approximately 2-3 km
Bus: TSRTC buses to Saroornagar / L. B. Nagar
Auto/Cab: Easily available
Nearby Landmark: Saroornagar Lake (adjacent)
📸 Photography & Visitor Tips:
- ✅ Exterior photography allowed – You can capture the palace exterior from adjacent areas
- ✅ Do not disturb the residents – This is a functioning orphanage, not a tourist site
- ✅ Combine with Saroornagar Lake – The lake is a beautiful spot for a walk and photography
- ✅ Visit the nearby Karmanghat Hanuman Temple – A 12th-century Kakatiya-era temple (approx. 2 km)
- ✅ Raymond's Tomb is nearby – The black granite tomb of French General Michel Raymond (approx. 2 km)
- ❌ No interior access – The palace is not open for public tours
🏛️ Nearby Attractions
- Saroornagar Lake – 400-year-old Qutb Shahi reservoir (adjacent)
- Karmanghat Hanuman Temple – 12th-century Kakatiya-era temple (approx. 2 km)
- Raymond's Tomb – Black granite tomb of French General Michel Raymond (approx. 2 km)
- French Garden – Where Raymond and his men were stationed (approx. 2 km)
- Chaitanyapuri Metro Station – Nearest Red Line station (approx. 2 km)
📜 A Unique Legacy in Hyderabad's History: Saroornagar Palace stands as a testament to a unique chapter in Hyderabad's history — a royal hunting lodge turned into a sanctuary for orphaned children. While other Nizam-era palaces have become luxury hotels or tourist attractions, this palace continues to serve a higher purpose. For over 120 years, it has provided shelter, education, and hope to countless destitute children. It is a reminder that the greatest legacy a palace can leave is not its architecture or its treasures, but the lives it touches and transforms.
✨ Key Features Summary
- Name: Saroornagar Palace / Victoria Memorial Home
- Location: Saroornagar, Hyderabad
- Built By: Mir Mahbub Ali Khan (6th Nizam of Hyderabad)
- Original Use: Hunting lodge and summer resort for the Nizam and his family
- Land Area: 65 acres
- Adjacent To: Saroornagar Lake (built 1626)
- Current Use: Victoria Memorial Home – orphanage for destitute children
- Managed By: Girls' Friendship Society
- Converted to Orphanage: 1901 (after death of Queen Victoria)
- Reason for Conversion: Palace considered inauspicious for the Nizam; British Resident requested dedication to Queen Victoria's memory
- Princess Niloufer's Contribution: Took keen interest in the welfare of children at the home
- Area Name Origin: Named after Suroor Afza Bai, wife of Prime Minister Nawab Arastu Jah Bahadur
- Nearby Attractions: Karmanghat Hanuman Temple, Raymond's Tomb, French Garden
- Access: Not open to the public (functional orphanage)
⭐ Why Saroornagar Palace is Unique Among Hyderabad's Palaces: The only Nizam-era palace that serves as a children's home (orphanage) | Built by the 6th Nizam as a hunting lodge | Converted to an orphanage in 1901 | Named after Queen Victoria | Managed by Girls' Friendship Society for 120+ years | Adjoins historic Saroornagar Lake (1626) | Princess Niloufer contributed to its welfare work | A living institution, not a museum
📚 References & More Information
- Wikipedia – Saroornagar
- Deccan Chronicle – HYDRAA to Restore Saroornagar Lake (January 2026)
- The Hindu – CS directs officials to process lease for Victoria Memorial Home (February 2026)
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