Skip to main content

Posts

Khazana Building Museum

Khazana Building Museum is located Near Golconda Fort in Khair Complex, Toli Chowki, Hyderabad, Telangana 500008, India. It has a collection of relics from Qutb Shahi, Bahmani and Kakatiya dynasties.  Khazana Building, As the name suggests, Khazana Building was the place where the kingdoms Khazana or treasure was stored. It was the treasury of Ibrahim Qutb Shahi. Khazana Building is located close to the Golconda Fort in Hyderabad. Located on the main road, on the way from Fateh Darwaza to Bala Hissar road. The museum houses cannons from the Qutb Shahi period, stone sculptures from neighbouring regions of Chalukya and Kakatiya period as well as Qutb shahi and Bahmani dynasties, rare coins to centuries old relics unearthed during various excavations etc, 3,500 arms and weapons of Qutb Shahi period among others. As is with most Islamic buildings, there are religious centres inside the complex. Ashrafi Mosque in the eastern quarters of the building, Chani mosque (built during Ibrahim Q...

Shamsheer Kota

Shamsheer Kota is located in Golconda, Hyderabad district, Telangana State, India. During the reign of Ibrahim Qutb Shah, royal arms and weaponry were stored in this building. There are many historic monuments near Golconda fort of Hyderabad and one of them is Shamsheer Kotha monument which is located near Khazana Building on the main road from the Fateh Darwaza to Bala Hissar. There are series of rooms for storing arms and weapons and a masjid, constructed in Qutb Shahi style. There is a large cannon on display at the entrance gate here that reflects the glory of historic era of Qutb Shahis who had ruled this region for nearly two centuries.

Khursheed Jah Devdi

Khursheed Jah Devdi a beautiful two-story structure is a European styled architectural palace located on Government Degree College Rd, Murgi Chowk, Charminar, Hussaini Alam, Hyderabad, Telangana 500064, India The palace, built by Paigah noble Nawab Fakhruddin, is European-styled and is considered as one of the best examples of Palladian architecture.   Nawab Khursheed Jah Paigah was the maternal grandson of the third Nizam of Hyderabad. Khursheed Jah Baradari was his residence, near the Charminar. It is a gorgeous Palladian mansion with imposing pillars and a strikingly European design. While it is commonly referred to as a baradari (literally means having 12 doors) or a devdi (sort of like a haveli) it is counted as one of Hyderabad's best palaces. The construction of the palace was started by Sir Khursheed Jah's grandfather, and completed by his father. It is said, that when the Paigah family lived in this palace, it was full of expensive furniture, chandeliers and paintings...

Shaikpet Mosque and Sarai

Shaikpet Mosque and Sarai are located at distance of nearly 11 km from the centre of Hyderabad in Shaikpet, Hyderabad district, Telangana State, India. The Sarai was built on the way to Bidar, capital of Barid Shahis, for the traders to halt at night, before obtaining permission to enter into the fort from Quiladar of Golconda Fort. The Sarai complex was initiated by Ibrahim Qutb Shah (1550 – 1580 CE). The Sarai gradually came to provide amenities like sarai blocks, mosques, a tomb, stables for horses and camels and other minor structures. It is a typical, large caravan Sarai constructed in Qutub Shahi style of architecture consisting of a two storied building exclusively meant for traveller’s rest. An inscription indicates that a larger part of the Sarai complex was built by Abdullah Qutb Shah in 1633 – 34 CE. Shelter for horses and camels was also added to the Sarai towards southern side. The sarai had 30 rooms, stables for horses and camels, a mosque and a tomb of an unknown Sufi sa...

Akkana Sarai

Akkana Sarai is located in Maisaram, Maheswaram, Rangareddy district, Telangana State, India. Akkana's Sarai is a square shaped sarai dedicated to Akkana, a senior officer who served the Qutb Shahi Empire from 1674 CE to 1686 CE. It is surrounded by a huge compound wall with built-in cubicles facing inner side of the compound, which was probably used as rest house. There is a palatial building situated in the middle. There is another pillared structure, probably used as meeting hall. The compound wall consists of some cubicles near the gate, constructed on the outer side. A small Hindu temple is also present on the first floor of the square shaped Sarai enclosure. There is a huge compound wall, constructed as a supporting back wall with large number of cubicles present in the sarai. Some cubicles are much bigger in size, provided with small niches, some cubicles are smaller in size and these rest rooms are provided in the masjid area also. Some of the rest rooms are constructed lik...

Premamati Mosque

The Premamati Mosque stands on a hillock overlooking the Taramati Baradari is located in Mohammad Nagar, Golconda (Mandal), Hyderabad district, Telanagan State, India. The mosque was built around 1625 CE and it was attributed to Prema mati a famed courtesan during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah and Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah. According to department deputy director Mohd Raheem Shah Ali, the mosque was presumably built for the courtesan and others to offer namaaz during a break from song-and-dance sessions at the Taramati Baradari. The mosque with intricate work has five arches and does not have minarets. Bilgrami, in his book ‘Landmarks of the Deccan’, associated the Baradari and the mosque with both Taramati and Premamati. Tombs of both the courtesans are seen near the Qutb Shahi Tombs. The arches are supported by piers, which have a band of mouldings at the top. This is reminiscent of Hindu temples, such as the Ramappa Temple. The elaborately carved chajjas above the arches al...

Mian Mishk Mahal

 Mian Mishk Mahal is located in Attapur, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India.    In the area between Golconda and Purana Pul, at a tranquil and deserted place, stands “Mushk Mahal” In 1678, the palace was constructed by Miyan Malik Mishk, a commander of the Carnatic Forces of Abul Hassan Tana Shah, the last of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. In it’s time, it was a grand three-storied garden pavilion with waterways and gardens spread over a 10-acre area from where one could see the Golconda fort on one side, Musi river on another and the emblematic Charminar from another. Attapur is an old locality on the right bank of Musi, before Charminar. While one road is dotted with ancient temples, nothing much remains of the other old structures that would have existed in the area — except a grand palace complex whose hulk can still be seen once you enter the inner lanes on the left side of the main road. Surrounded by tall grass, the grandeur of the building can still be evidenced from the...

Mian Mishk Masjid

Mian Mishk Masjid is located on Karvan Road Puranapul, Charminar (Mandal), Hyderabad district, Telangana State, India. 1678 : Mian Mishk Masjid was successfully built in 1678 A.D during the reign of Qutb Shahi period by Mian Mishk who is a noble of sixth King of Golconda named Abdullah Qutb Shah. It is just 3.3 km from Nampally Railyway Station. It is one of the most sought-after and interesting mosques in this area. This particular mosque is situated at the end of a large courtyard which is lined up with chambers that are used to wholeheartedly provide better accommodation for travelers to a great extent. A large crowd of Islamic people gather at this particular mosque on all Fridays and festive days to a great extent. This mosque is known for its architectural and historical significance in India. It is actually named after its unique builder who was an Abyssinian slave of Abul Hasan Tana Shah. The special inscriptions over the West and East gates are demonstrated with the unique sty...

Kulsum Begum Masjid

Kulsum Begum Masjid locally known as Badi Masjid (also known as Kulsumpura Masjid or Jama Masjid Karwan) is located in Kulsumpura, Asifnagar (Mandal), Hyderabad, Telangana State, India. Kulsumpura is situated at a distance of nearly 4 km from Charminar via Karwan road It was built in the 17th century by Kulsum Begum, daughter of Sultan Mohammad Qutb Shah during his reign from 1612 – 1626 CE  with the Mehr (money or gift given as a mark of respect to the wife at the time of marriage) The mosque has been constructed on a raised square platform. Its beautiful minarets are a fine example of Qutb Shani style of architecture. The facade of the mosque is exuberantly decorated with stucco ornamentation. The main entrance is styled in the pillar and lintel style accompanied with heavy wooden doors. There is an inscription seen at the top of the gate reading ‘Allah, Mohammed Ali, in Arabic script. The arched gateway is flanked by two rooms, meant for guards, on either side. There is a fount...

Spanish Mosque, Hyderabad

The Spanish Mosque also known as Begumpet Mosque or Masjid Iqbal Ud Daula or Jam e Masjid "Aiwan-E-Begumpet" is located in S.P Road, Indian Airlines Colony, Begumpet, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India is one of the most beautiful mosques in Hyderabad, located within the premises of Paigah Palace. The unique architecture and its glorious history make it one of the most alluring heritage monuments of the city that you must visit. Masjid 1900 - 1906 The construction of the mosque was started by the fifth Paigah Nawab Viqar-ul-Umra Iqbal-ud-Doula, was the maternal grandson of the third Nizam. Among his contributions to Hyderabad’s Paigah legacy are the Paigah Palace, Vikhar Manzil and the iconic Falaknuma Palace. He commissioned the Spanish Mosque in the year 1900. Sadly, he died within a couple of years, and its completion in 1906 had to be overseen by his son Paigah Nawab Viqar-ul-Umra Iqbal-ud-Doula after a trip to Spain, where he is said to have been very impressed by the arc...

Ramji Gond

Name: Ramji Gond Born: Present Asifabad District, Telangana State, India (erstwhile Hyderabad Princely State) Died: 9 April 1860 Ramji Gond, who hailed from current Nirmal and combined Adilabad district of Telangana, was among the most prominent leaders of the First War of Independence in the erstwhile Hyderabad Princely State, who ruled the tribal areas in present-day Adilabad, Nirmal and Asifabad districts of Telangana. The areas under his rule included Nirmal, Utnoor, Chennuru, and Asifabad.  Ramji Gond and the Rohillas leader called Miya Saheb Khurd jointly fought a guerrilla campaign against the British, for which he was caught and hanged on 9 April 1860. 1857: Hyderabad Sepoy Revolt - First war of Independence Many regions in Nizam’s domains were aflame with anti-British sentiments when the mass insurrections broke out in 1857. Among these was the Adilabad district, where the resident Gond tribal community who were unhappy with the state’s oppression and exploitation of the ...

Rock Cut Cave Temples of Adavi Somanapalli

Rock Cut Cave Temples of Adavi Somanapalli locally known as Nainag Gullu located in a forest and one needs to walk 4km from Thadicherla on the hillock of Adavi Somanapalli, Malhar Rao Mandal, located 22km away from Manthani in Bhupalapally district, Telangana State, India. Dates back to 5th - 6th century AD. To reach the caves, one has to trek through a jungle path from the Kataram–Manthani highway. These are a group of four rock-cut cave temples facing west on the banks of Manair river. Locally, these shivalayas are called Naina Gullu. Unfortunately, it is partially in ruins owing to the inferior quality of the rock stone and natural calamities. These rock-cut temples resemble the famous cave temples of Moghalrajpuram near Vijayawada constructed by the Vishnukundins. They were initially jain caves that were later converted into a Lord Shiva temple. The first two temples have an ‘Ardhamandapa’, the ornate gateway or open hall that leads into the ‘Garbhagriha’ or sanctum sanctorum. ...

Basheer Bagh Gunfoundry

Basheer Bagh Gunfoundry also known as Top ka Sancha is located in Basheer Bagh, Abids Road, Nampally (Mandal), Hyderabad District, Telangana State, India. The historic Aliya High School for Boys and Mehboobia College for Girls, both are opposite to Gunfoundry, across the main road that leads to Abids (in south) The Gunfoundry was built in the year 1795 CE during the Asaf Jahi period by a renowned French Engineer Monsieur Raymond who had established a cannon-manufacturing factory here. Residential colonies have come up around the site, and only a part of Gunfoundry remains. Some of the guns Raymond cast can be seen in the small gun park on the meridian of the road in front of the Assembly building. Much of the massive gun foundry walls fell due to lack of repair and maintenance over time. Massive brick walls and cubicles which are supported by brick and mortar arches at ground level, and consists of brick kiln-like space underneath are what remain of the original foundry. This is the on...