The capital of Telangana State, Hyderabad founded in the year 1591 by fifth Qutb Shahi Ruler Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah is today the 5th largest city in India, a wonderful combination of glorious heritage, growing modernity, thriving hospitality and delectable cuisine.

In 1687 the city was annexed by the Mughals,in 1724 Mughal Governor Nizam Asaf Jah1 declared his sovereignty and founded the Asaf Jahi dynasty,also known as the NIZAMS. HYDERABAD served as the imperial capital of Asaf Jahi from 1769 to 1948,As capital of the princely state of HYDERABAD,the city housed the British Residency and contonment until Indian independence in 1947.

HYDERABAD was invaded and integrated into the Indian Union in 1948 and continues as a capital of HYDERABAD state(1948 – 56), and when the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 was introduced HYDERABAD was made the capital of united Andhra Pradesh.In 2014 Telangana state was formed after bifurcation of Andhra, HYDERABAD City became a joint capital of the two states,a transitional arrangement scheduled to end in 2025.Since 1965 the city houses the winter office of the President of India.

Hyderabad was ranked 138th and the best Indian city to live in, according to the Mercer Quality of Living Rankings 2015 Some other Facts about the City of Hyderabad.

Hyderabad acquired the moniker ‘City of Pearls in India’ due to its booming pearl processing and trading industry that has been supplying the finest of pearl jewellery to India and the rest of the world for more than 400 years.

Fearing the establishment of a Communist state in Hyderabad and the rise of militant Razakars, India invaded the state in September 1948 following a crippling economic blockade. Subsequently, the Nizam signed an instrument of accession, joining India.

During the period of the Nizams’ rule, Hyderabad became wealthy – thanks to the Golconda mines which were the ‘only sources of diamonds in the world market at that time (apart from South African mines) making the 7th Nizam the richest person in the world.

A total of seven Nizam’s ruled Hyderabad. (there was a period of 13 years after the rule of Asaf Jah I, when three of his sons (Nasir Jung, Muzaffar Jung and Salabath Jung) ruled. They were not officially recognised as the rulers: Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah I (Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan).

THE HISTORY OF HYDERABAD

The Pre Qutb Shahi Era (1000AD-1450AD)The Chalukya dynasty ended around 1200AD and the Kakatiya dynasty took over the area over, ruling from Warangal, about 180km from Hyderabad. Around 1320AD, Mohammad Bin Tughlaq from Delhi invaded the Kakatiyas, which resulted in the Bahmani Sultanate that operated from what is now Karnataka, slowly taking over the area, fighting neighbouring empires. By about 1450AD, they were undisputed rulers.

The Qutb Shahi Era (1450AD-1700AD)The Bahmanis sent Quli Qutb-ul-Malik to the Deccan in 1463, to quell some anarchy. He succeeded, and the Bahmani Sultan of that time made him the head of the area, in a decision he would rue for all time. This Quli Qutb-ul-Malik is the founder of the Quli Qutb Shah dynasty, which in 1594 built Hyderabad, and had 7 generations rule the city before Aurangazeb attacked.

Quli Qutb-ul-Malik operated from a fort built by the Kakatiyas called Golconda, which he buttressed. By 1500AD he had become virtually the ruler of the area, and declared independence from the Bahmanis in 1518.

Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah of the Qutb Shahi dynasty founded the city of Hyderabad in 1589-94 south of the Musi river, 8km from the Golconda fort, and built a bridge over the river to connect the fort to the city (it is now called Purana Pul). The city was originally called Bhagyanagar after Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah’s wife Bhagyamati, and prospered under the Qutb Shahi dynasty, in the 16th and 17th centuries. It became popular as a hub of diamond and pearl trading, and lore has it that pearls would be sold spread out on the streets. Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah also constructed Charminar in 1591 reportedly as a tribute to divine help in avoiding an epidemic, a huge structure with 4 minarets that symbolizes Hyderabad in many places and publications even today, and is a must on the tourist itinerary.

Indeed, all 7 generations of the Qutb Shahi dynasty are known to have done pretty well in enriching the city that eventually became their capital. Then Aurangazeb, the Mughal emperor of Delhi, attacked, defeated the Qutb Shahis, and put his governors to adminster the area for 4 decades which saw neglect and ruin.

The Nizam Era (1700AD-1948AD)After the death of Aurangazeb in 1707, the Mughal empire weakened, and the governor of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah I (titled Nizam-ul-Mulk by the Mughal emperor), declared independence in 1724. His line ruled Hyderabad until 1948, and were called the Nizams. While Asaf Jah I ruled from Aurangabad, his son and successor Nizam Ali Khan shifted the capital to Hyderabad, and a glorious period started.

7 Nizams ruled Hyderabad, and it prospered in the areas of town-planning, economics and culture. The city was peaceful, and became richer and richer, with the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan (who built Osmania University and Osmania General Hospital and named them after himself) being named the world’s richest man by Time magazine in 1937.

The Nizams did not believe in going to war with anyone, and pledged allegiance to the British empire, and made friends with the French before that, in attempts to retain control as at least vassals. The 3rd Nizam, Sikandar Jah, even started an entire twin city for the British and French garrisons, named after him as Secunderabad.

When India gained independence in August 1947, however, the 7th/last Nizam still declared that Hyderabad state would be independent, but bowing to the public opinion who wanted to be part of India, he had to sign the treaty of accession with the Government of India in September 1948.