A country of India’s size, in a region as diverse and as historic as the Middle East, is always going to hold plenty of intrigue for those with a keen interest in history. As a consequence, any of its large cities will offer a grab-bag of enthralling sites for visitors, who can lose themselves in the venerable buildings, important thoroughfares and storied structures they’ll find therein. Hyderabad, the de facto capital of the Andra Pradhesh region, is a city with more historical attractions than most, given the key part, it has played in the nation’s history both prior to, and in the aftermath of India’s independence from Britain. Check out our list of fascinating historical places in Hyderabad, India; studded with glittering palaces and historic mosques, it’s a place of interest for any historian.
1. Golconda Fort
At a distance of 11 km (6.8 miles) from the heart of Hyderabad, Golconda Fort is a spellbinding structure that has dominated the hillside where it stands since 1143. It was built by order of the Kakatiya dynasty. Since 1687 it has stood, largely, as a ruin, but its intact edifice is an enduringly popular sight-seeing destination due to its incredible size and aesthetic beauty. Before it fell into ruin, the vault of Golconda Fort held both the Koh-i-Noor and the Hope Diamond, two of the most significant gemstones in all of history.
Golconda Fort
Address: Khair Complex, Ibrahim Bagh, Hyderabad, Telangana 500008
Opening hours: 9am - 5:30pm (daily)
Price: 3 USD
2. Mecca Masjid
Close to the grounds of Charminar, the congregational Mecca Masjid is one of the world’s largest mosques, with space for 20,000 people. The bricks that went into building its central arch, completed in 1694, were fashioned from soil brought from the hallowed soil of Mecca itself, hence the name of the mosque. Also known locally as “Makkah Masjid”, the building was the centerpiece around which modern Hyderabad was built.
Mecca Masjid
Address: Charminar Rd, Charminar, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002
Opening hours: 4am - 9:30pm (daily)
Tip from Trip101 local expert
Hyderabad- Mecca Masjid
You can visit one of the largest mosques in India i.e. the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad free of cost. Remember to capture glimpses of the beautiful Charminar which is just 100 meters away. The night view of Charminar from the well-decorated main hall of Mecca Masjid is nothing but PEACE!
3. Salar Jung Museum
One of three National Museums in all of India, the Salar Jung is a special location within Hyderabad. It was gifted to the nation in 1951 upon the death of the former regional Prime Minister Salar Jung III, having previously housed his personal collection of artifacts. In the present day, it holds important exhibits not just from around India, but also much of the surrounding area as well as Egypt, North America, and Europe. Along with jade-crafted daggers and miniature portraits of Indian provenance, the museum houses artworks from influential painters such as Canaletto and Francesco Hayez.
Salar Jung Museum
Address: Salar Jung Rd, Near Minar Function Hall, Darulshifa, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002
Website: Salar Jung Museum
Opening hours: Sat - Thu: 10am - 5pm (closed on Fri)
Price: 7 USD
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4. Qutub Shahi Tombs
Close to Golconda Fort, in the Ibrahim Bagh, you will find the fascinating and beautiful Qutub Shahi Tombs, wherein the burial vaults of several kings from the Qutub Shahi dynasty can be found. Built between the 16th and 17th Centuries, the tomb complex was restored over a six-year period starting in 2013, preserving the stunning archwork and ornate vaults of many previous kings in the region.
Qutub Shahi Tombs
Address: Qutub Shahi Tombs, Hyderabad, Telangana 500008
Opening hours: 9:30am - 6:30pm (daily)
Price: Under 1 USD
5. Taramati Baradari
A baradari, in Urdu, is an open-air structure with twelve doors designed to allow the free flow of fresh air - and the Taramati Baradari is one of the most recognized in India. Built in the Persian-style garden complex of Ibrahim Bagh, and history indicates that it was given its name by the Abdullah Qutub Shah, who named this roadside stop for caravan tourists after one of his favorite courtesans. Around the complex, you will find an open-air theater with a capacity of more than 1600, as well as a swimming pool and multi-cuisine restaurant. At night, colored lamps light up bestowing a beautiful visual effect on the structure.
Taramati Baradari
Address: Gandipet Road, Ibrahim Bagh, Hyderabad, Telangana 500031
Opening hours: 11am - 6pm (daily)
6. Toli Masjid
Built by the same architect responsible for the Mecca Masjid, the smaller Toli Masjid is a declared heritage site under the Archaeological Survey of India. It is divided into two halls and features two minarets, each surpassing 20 meters (65.6 feet) in height. Tourists are recommended to ascend to the second floor of the mosque, where you can better see the delicate carvings that give the mosque an extra element of beauty, including the decorative touches on the minarets.
Toli Masjid
Address: Toli masjid, Karwan, Hyderabad, Telangana 500006
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
7. Chowmahalla Palace
Built over a period of approximately 130 years between 1750 and 1880, the Chowmahalla Palace has, as a result, become something of an architectural curiosity as it is possible to see the influence of a number of different schools of architecture including neo-classical and Persian. The palace was built as a seat for the Asaf Jahi dynasty and features an ancient yet working clock tower as well as the impressive Council Hall, which features regular exhibitions of precious artifacts.
Chowmahalla Palace
Address: 20-4-236, Motigalli, Khilwat, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002
Opening hours: Sat - Thu: 10am - 5pm (closed on Fri)
Price: 3 USD
8. Paigah Tombs
The Paigah family were influential supporters of the Nizam dynasty in Hyderabad, who ruled over the region for just over 200 years starting in the early 18th Century. Various members of the family served as generals, statespeople and help other key capacities within the administration. Their beautiful ornate tomb complex is located in the quiet Pisal Banda suburb of the city. Just 4 miles (6.8 km) from Charminar, this monument is a must-see for any historically inclined visitor to Hyderabad.
Paigah Tombs
Address: Qalender Nagar Rd, Santosh Nagar, Kanchan Bagh, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500058
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
9. Malwala Palace
The Malwala Palace was, from 1845, a dwelling for the custodians of the financial records of the Nizams. Although the bulk of the palace was demolished to create land for a shopping complex at the beginning of the 21st Century, the architecturally significant Grand Gateway still stands to this day and is a popular tourist site for its carved-wood pavilion.
Malwala Palace
Address: 563, 23-1-563, Rathkhana St, Panje Shah, Moghalpura, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
10. Charminar (from USD 61.0)
Charminar takes its name from the Urdu for “four pillars”, in reference to the four minarets at this beautifully ornate mosque. The monument is one of the most recognizable structures in all of India and an immediate identifying mark for Hyderabad. It has stood since 1591 and attracts countless tourists due to its historical significance, its unmistakable shape, and the popular street markets that operate in its immediate environs. Tentatively on the UNESCO World Heritage list, Charminar should be top of your list to see when in Hyderabad.
Skip The Line Charminar E-Tickets with guide
Duration: 2 to 4 hours
Historical Hyderabad is well worth your time
By visiting Hyderabad, you can always be sure of a fine time among one of India’s most diverse and interesting cities, and around every corner, there is an educational experience just waiting to happen. Any historically inclined tourist will be able to find countless monuments of interest, and in a city with close to seven million inhabitants, you can be sure there are endless stories waiting to be told.
History
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