A STATUE IN MUSEUM

A STATUE IN MUSEUM LOOKS LIKE A REAL HUMAN

SALARJAUNG MUSEUM

The Salar Jung Museum is located on Musi river in Hyderabad. It is the third largest museum in India having one of the biggest one-man collections of antiques in the world. This museum was set up by Yusuf Ali Salar Jung, the prime minister of Nizam of Hyderabad. He collected objects that are now presented in the museum. The museum is open every day except Friday, from 10.00 a.m. To 5.00 p.m. This museum displays an impressive collection of European and Indian paintings.


¤ Establishment of The Museum

The outstanding Salarjung Museum set up by Mir Yusuf Ali Khan was popularly known as Salar Jung III. At the age of 23, he became the Prime Minister to Nizam in 1912, but he resigned two and a half years later. After this, he started collecting antiques and art pieces. Collection of objects wasn't his hobby, it was his passion. He spent a sizable amount of his wealth on collection. In his entire lifespan he collected art objects, rare manuscripts and paintings from all over the world. This collection was basically started by his father and grandfather.

In the year 1961, this museum was declared as the "Institution of National Importance" by an Act of Parliament. This act is known as the Salar Jung Museum Act, 1961. Earlier, it was set up in Diwan Devdi. Later, the museum was re-established at the present building in 1968, situated on the banks of the Musi.


¤ A Valuable Collection

The Salar Jung museum at Hyderabad is famous for its wide collection of rare items. The museum has a wonderful collection on Indian Art, Children's Art, Middle Eastern Art, Far Eastern Art and European Art. Here, you can see sculptures, wood carvings, religious objects, manuscripts, furniture, vases, snuff boxes, utensils, archer's rings and ornaments. There are other items also like pottery, clocks, miniature paintings, portraits, silver and costumes. The museum also owns some toys, collected from countries like France, England, Switzerland, Germany, Persia, China, Japan, Burma, and Sri Lanka.

There is a vast collection of printed books on various subjects. Interested scholars can also go through a rich collection of thousands of manuscripts in Persian, Arabic and Urdu languages.


¤ The Clock Room, Highlight of The Museum

The highlight of the museum is the clock room, which is one of the best galleries here. It has a collection of more than 300 clocks. of special interest is a musical clock, sold by Cook and Kelvy of England.


¤¤ Other Attractions of The Museum

The Jade Room of the museum has some outstanding objects, belonging to the ancient Indian rulers like Aurangzeb and Tipu Sultan. The museum also has world's largest private collections of art and artifacts. The Salar Jung Museum has a huge collection of over 43000 art objects, 9000 manuscripts and 47000 printed books. Some exquisite objects of art like Chinese Porcelain, Aurangazeb's Sword, and Daggers belonging to Queen Noor Jehan, Emperor Jahangir and Shah Jahan are also on display. Apart from these, sculptures, Indian paintings and Persian carpets are also exhibited. Other highlights in the museum include the "veiled Rebecca", "Mestophiles" and "the Lady with the lamp". Thus, attracting innumerable tourists.

TOURIST INFORMATION FOR GOLCONDA FORT

The architecture and grandeur is not the only attraction of the fort. There is a light and sound show as well that displays the rich history of Golconda. The 55 minute show virtually brings back the glorious past to life. The show is presented in three different languages, English, Hindi and Telugu. In summers, the show timing is 7.00 PM and in winters it is showed at 6.30 PM. On Wednesday and Sunday, it is in English. On Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday it is in Hindi and on Thursday, it is in Telugu. There is no show on Mondays.

Golconda Fort possesses a unique charm which is further highlighted by the barren vast lying landscape and surrounding hills. Towering over the low lying Hyderabad, Golconda Fort has only few challengers in India when it comes to presence and grandeur. Visit Golconda Fort whose exquisiteness has to be seen to be believed.

ARCHITECTURE OF THE FORT

Golconda Fort consists of four different forts inside a 10 Km long outer wall. There are 87 bastions, eight gateways, four drawbridges and numerous temples, beautiful palaces and mosques. You enter the fort through the outermost gateway which is called 'Fateh Darwaza', The Victory Gate. It is called so as it is through this gate that Aurangzeb marched in with his army after his victory. This humongous gate is laden with huge iron spikes which proved helpful in saving it from being knocked down by elephants. Not only is the gate an attraction, the archway dome too is a marvel in itself. It is famous for the acoustics effect that is produced inside the dome. It is said that if you clap your hands inside the dome, it can be heard a kilometer away. This effect was used to send a warning of an approaching attack to 'Bala Hisar', which is the highest point of the fort. The gate at 'Bala Hisar' is decorated with many carvings and designs. The fort was said to have impressive water supply system and this is evident from the clay pipes that are spread out throughout the fort.

GOLCONDA HISTORY

An interesting legend is there behind the construction of Golconda Fort. In the year 1143, a shephard boy found an idol on a hill called 'Mangalavarm'. When the news reached the ears of the Kakatiya king who was ruling at that time, he decided to build a mud fort around the spot where the idol was found. And the hill was named 'Gola Konda' which means Shephard's hill. The construction of the fort was completed in the 13th century. Golconda Fort exchanged hands from Kakatiyas to State of Warangal to Qutb Shahi Dynasty. When Qutb Shahi Kings came into power around 1507 , they decided to change the entire structure of the fort and turn it into their strong hold. The first three Qutb Shahi kings turned the fort into a huge structure of granite and expanded the area covered by the fort to 5 Km in circumference. In 1687, it was attacked by Ruler Aurangzeb and during the war, major parts of the fort turned to ruins. The fort remained in service to Aurangzeb. Even in ruins, the fort was utterly difficult to penetrate. It was last sieged by Mughals after a traitor in the Aurangzeb army opened a side gate to the fort.

GOLCONDA FORT HYDERABAD

The Golconda Fort is located about 11 Kms away, on the Western outskirts of Hyderabad city. It is located on a granite hill having a height of 120m.


¤ History of Golconda

Before the advent of Hyderabad, Deccan was ruled from Golconda fort. It was earlier established by the Kakatiya's in the 13th century and the existing structure was constructed by the Qutub Shahi kings. It was renovated by the first three Qutub Shahi kings, over a span of 62 years.

Golconda is also known as Shepherd's Hill" or "Golla Konda", in Telugu. According to a legend, a shepherd boy found an idol on the rocky hill called 'Mangalavaram'. This news reached the Kakatiya king, who was then ruling Golconda. He ordered the construction of a mud fort around the holy spot. Later, the fort was expanded by the Qutub Shahi kings into a huge structure made of granite.


¤ Attractions Within The Fort

The fort of Golconda is known for its magical acoustic system. The highest point of the fort is the 'Bala Hissar', which is located a kilometer away. The palaces, factories, water supply system and the famous 'Rahban' cannon, within the fort are some of the major attractions.

It is believed that there is a secret underground tunnel which leads from the 'Durbar Hall' and ends in one of the palaces at the foot of the hill. The fort also has the tombs of the Qutub Shahi kings. These tombs have Islamic architecture and are located about 1-km north of the outer wall of Golconda. They are encircled by beautiful gardens and numerous exquisitely carved stones.

The two individual pavilions on the outer side of Golconda are also major attractions of fort. It is built on a point which is quite rocky. The 'Kala Mandir' is also located in the fort. It can be seen from the king's durbar (king's court) which was on top of the Golconda Fort.


¤ Architectural Splendor

The wonderful acoustic system of Golconda fort speaks volumes about the architecture of the fort. This majestic structure has beautiful palaces and an ingenious water supply system. Sadly, the unique architecture of the fort is now loosing its charm.

The ventilation of the fort is absolutely fabulous having exotic designs. They were so intricately designed that cool breeze could reach the interiors of the fort, providing a respite from the heat of summer.

The Huge gates of the fort are decorated with large pointed iron spikes. These spikes prevented Elephants from damaging the fort. The fort of Golconda is encircled by a 11-km long outer wall. This was build in order to fortify the fort.


¤ The Highlight of The Fort

The highlight of the Golconda fort is a sound and light show. It depicts the glorious past of this grand fortress. This audio - visual extravaganza is presented in English, Hindi and Telugu. It is a worth watching show.


¤ Timings of The Sound and Light Show

The timings of the show are different for winters and summers. In winters, that is from the months of November to February, the show starts at 6:30 pm. In summers, that is in the months of March to October, the show starts at 7:00 pm.

The English version of the show is presented on Wednesdays and Sundays and the Hindi version is presented on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Apart form these, the Telugu version is presented on Thursdays. There is no show on Mondays. The duration of the show is about 55 minutes.



¤ Reach Golconda Fort
By Air : Hyderabad can be reached by air, from all the major cities of the country.
By Rail : Hyderabad is well connected by rail to all parts of the country.
By Road : There is a regular bus service to Hyderabad from many cities in southern, central and southeastern parts of the country.
Local Transport : Golconda Fort is around 11-km from Hyderabad. Auto rickshaws and Taxis are available apart from luxury/semi-luxury buses, for local transportation.

HYDERABAD CITY HISTORY

Hyderabad the capital of Andhra Pradesh, founded in the year 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth sultan of Qutb Shahi dynasty, offers a fascinating panorama of the past, with richly mixed cultural and historical tradition spanning over 400 years. It is one of the fastest growing cities of India and has emerged as a strong industrial, commercial, technology center, gives a picture of glimpses of past splenders and the legacy of its old history.The history of Hyderabad begins with the establishment of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Quli Qutb Shah seized the reins of power from the Bahamani kingdom in 1512 and established the fortress city of Golconda. Inadequacy of water, and frequent epidemics of plague and cholera persuaded Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah to venture outward to establish new city with the Charminar at its centre and with four great roads fanning out four cardinal directions. Hyderabad's fame, strategic location and Golconda's legendary wealth attracted Aurangazeb who captured Golconda after a long seize in 1687.

After this defeat the importance of Hyderabad declined and the city fell into partial ruins. As the Moghul empire decayed and began to disintegrate, the viceroy, Asaf Jah I proclaimed himself the Nizam and established independence rule of the Deccan. Hyderabad once again became a major capital city, ruled by successive Nizams of the Asaf Jahi dynasty until the state was merged into Indian Union in 1948.

SECUNDERABAD: In 1798, a subsidiary alliance for military and political cooperation was signed between the Nizam and the British East India company.

There after an area north of what is now the Hussain Sagar was established as a cantonment. The area was named Secunderabad after the then Nizam, Sikander Jah.

From nawabs and pearls to the world's hi-tech happening point, the city's journey is fascinating. The sprawling metropolis is coming to terms with itself at the start of the new millenium. The Qutb Shahi dynasty founded the Kingdom of Golconda, one of the five kingdoms that emerged after the break up of the Bahamani Kingdom. The Qutb Shahis ruled the Deccan for almost 171 years.All the seven rulers were patrons of learning and were great builders. They contributed to the growth and development of Indo-Persian and Indo-Islamic literature and culture in Hyderabad. During the Qutb Shahi reign Golconda became one of the leading markets in the world of diamonds, pearls, steel for arms, and also printed fabric. The glory of the Golconda kingdom ended in 1687, after a valiant struggle. Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal ruler, captured Golconda after a siege that lasted eight months.

Abul Hasan Tana Shah, the last king of Golconda, was imprisoned at Daulatabad, where he died after twelve years in captivity. With the conquest of the Deccan and the South, Aurangzeb succeeded in expanding the Mughal Empire to cover the entire sub-continent. However, after his death in 1707, the Empire rapidly declined. At that time , the Deccan was administered by a Subedar or viceroy of the Mughal Emperor. Mir Quamaruddin, the Governor of the Deccan, who bore the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk Feroze Jung Asif Jah, declared his independence from Mughal rule in 1724.

He thus became the first Nizam and the founder of the Asif Jahi dynasty. Asif Jah I continued to maintain Aruangabad, which had been founded by the Mughal rulers as the capital of his new state. In 1769, Nizam Ali Khan Asif Jah II, shifted the capital to Hyderabad. The seven Nizam's of the Asif Jahi dynasty ruled the Deccan for nearly 224 years, right up to 1948. During the Asif Jahi period, Persian, Urdu, Telugu and Marathi developed simultaneously. The highest official positions were given to deserving persons irrespective of their religion.

Persian was the official language up to 1893 and then Urdu up to 1948. When the British and the French spread their hold over the country, the Nizam soon won their friendship without bequeathing his power. The title "Faithful. Ally of the British Government" was bestowed on Nizam VII. The British stationed a Resident at Hyderabad, but the state continued to be ruled by the Nizam.

The rule of the seven Nizam's saw the growth of Hyderabad both culturally and economically. Huge reservoirs, like the Nizam Sagar, Tungabadra, Osman Sagar, Himayath Sagar, and others were built. Survey work on Nagarjuna Sagar had also begun during this time. Hyderabad, under the Nizam's, was the largest princely state in India. Area wise it was as big as England and Scotland put together. The State had its own currency, mint, railways, and postal system. There was no income tax. Soon after India gained independence, Hyderabad State merged with the Union of India. On November 1, 1956 the map of India was redrawn into linguistic states, and Hyderabad became the capital of Andhra Pradesh.

CHARMINAR HISTORY

">FACTS & FIGURES

Built in	:	1591 AD
Built by	:	Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah
Location	:	Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh)

JEWEL OF HYDERABAD

Hyderabad, the capital city of the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, is famous all over the world for its magnificent Charminar (four minarets). Often called "The Arc de triomphe of the East", Charminar was built by Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah, the erstwhile Qutub Shahi Sultan of Golconda, in 1591. It was the centre of attraction of the magnificent capital city of Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah. In spite of it being dwarfed by present day buildings, the Charminar has not lost its erstwhile majesty and continues to attract travellers. Presently, Charminar stands with pride, at the centre of the old city.

"> INDO-ISLAMIC STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE

Indo-Islamic style of architecture is neither a local variant of Islamic architecture that reached India in the middle ages, nor a modification of Hindu art, but it is an assimilation of both the styles, though not always in an equal degree. It is so because each region in India has its own form of Indo-Islamic architecture, which varies from place to place and there is no standardization. On the other hand Islamic art itself was a composite style, which had various Muslims influences like Turkish, Persian and Arabic.

Rulers from different parts of the Muslim world, who came and settled in India, brought with them the artistic traditions of their regions. The intermingling of such traditions with local Indian practices resulted in different forms of Indo-Islamic art. In Delhi, Islamic influences dominated while in the Deccan, local styles were more prominent in the buildings. In Bengal, the indigenous practice of using bricks for building was adopted and the monuments were richly decorated with chiselled and moulded decorations typical of Hindu temples.

Though both the Indian and Islamic styles have their own distinctive features, there are some common characteristics, which made fusion and adaptation easy. Both the styles favour ornamentation, and buildings belonging to both these styles are marked by the presence of an open court encompassed by chambers or colonnades.

The Charminar is an excellent example of the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The four arched gates and the four towering minarets of this building reflect its Islamic lineage but the overall rendering of the building reflects a strong local influence. The decorations on the main structure and the minarets are ample evidence of local architectural traditions.

"> CHARMINAR

The Charminar is an imposing monument, which reflects the glory of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. It is a massive square structure, 56 m (183.72 ft) high and 30 m (98.42 ft) wide. This monument is built entirely of granite and lime mortar. It has 4 minarets one on each of its corners. These fluted minarets are attached to the main building and rise towards the sky to a height of 56 m (183.72 ft). Each minaret of the Charminar has a double balcony. A small bulbous cupola crowns each of these beautiful minarets, which is decorated with petal like formations. A short pointed spire crowns all the minarets.

The four grand arches of the Charminar face the four cardinal directions. Once upon a time each of these arches led to four royal roads. Each of the four arches is decorated on its sides with a row of small arched niches. The Charminar is a two-storied building with the first floor being covered. The elegant balconies on this floor provide excellent vantage point for viewing the surrounding areas. There is a small mosque on the top floor of the building, which can be reached by climbing a total of 149 steps. The mosque is situated on the western side facing the Muslim holy city of Mecca. There are as many as 45 prayer spaces on this floor, which does not have a roof on top of it. It is said that people thronged this mosque to offer Friday prayers, during the reign of the Qutub Shahi dynasty in Hyderabad. This mosque is the oldest surviving mosque in the city of Hyderabad. The panoramic view of the city from the top is simply breathtaking.

The Charminar is a unique blend of the Indo-Islamic style of architecture that flourished in India during the medieval period. The beauty of this enchanting monument is accentuated every evening when it is illuminated.

">HOW TO REACH

Hyderabad and Secunderabad are twin cities, and share the same airport - Begumpet airport that is well connected by air with important Indian cities. It is located at a distance of six kilometres from Secunderabad and is 15 km from Old City (Old City of Hyderabad), where Charminar is situated. Taxis are easily available from the airport for the twin cities.

Hyderabad is also well connected by train and road with important destinations in India. To travel to the Charminar, you can make use of local buses (that ply on fixed routes within the city), taxis or auto-rickshaws. Rented cars available in Hyderabad are ideally suited for exploring the city and places around it.