Fondly called the 'city of Nawabs' Hyderabad offers a captivating combination of tradition and trend to the tourists and travellers. Hyderabad is one of the most rapidly growing cities of India. The IT hub in Southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is easily accessible. Regular flights, frequent trains and the excellent road network make Hyderabad a great travel destination.

Hyderabad pronunciation is the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. With more than 7.5 million people (75 lakh), it is India's 5th largest metropolis [1] and the 40th largest metropolitan area in the world. It is known for its rich history, culture and architecture representing its unique characteristic of a meeting point for northern and southern India, and its multi-lingual culture, both geographically and culturally. Hyderabad has always been a place where Hindus and Muslims have co-existed peacefully for centuries. The dialect spoken in Hyderabad and surrounding areas of Telangana is distinct from the dialect of coastal Andhra region. Hyderabad and rest of the Telangana has unique culture of its own in comparison to coastal and Rayalseema regions of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad is also one of the most developed cities in the country and is the emerging IT and biotech hub of India. Hyderabad and Secunderabad are twin cities, separated by Husain Sagar (bound by the 'Tank Bund'), an artificial lake made during the time of Ibrahim Qutb Shah in 1562. The Charminar (Urdu: "Four Minars") monument, built in the center of Hyderabad by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 as a commemoration of the eradication of a plague in the region.

Hyderabad was founded on the banks of Musi river in the present day Telangana by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, Sultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, in 1590; this relocation was intended to relieve a water shortage the dynasty had experienced at their old headquarters at Golkonda. They ruled over the Telangana region and some parts of present day Karnataka and Maharashtra.[2]

Theories explaining the origins and etymology behind Hyderabad's name differ. A popular theory suggests that, after founding the city, Muhammad Quli fell in love with and married a local Banjara girl known as Bhagamathi. He named this city after her as Bhagyanagaram. Upon her conversion to Islam, Bhagamathi changed her name to Hyder Mahal — the new city's name was correspondingly changed to match it, resulting in the eponymous name "Hyderabad" (literally, "the city of Hyder").

When India gained independence in 1947, the Nizam declared his intention to remain independent, either as a sovereign ruler or by acquiring Dominion status within the British Empire. In order to keep essential trade and supplies flowing, he signed a Standstill Agreement with the Indian Union which surrounded him on all sides. The law and order situation soon deteriorated, with escalating violence between the private Razakar army fighting for continuation of the Nizam's rule and the communists of Telangana fighting for entrance into the Indian Union. As the violence spiraled out of control with refugees flowing into the coastal Andhra region of the Madras state of India, the Indian Government under Home Minister Sardar Patel initiated a police action titled Operation Polo. On September 17, 1948, more than a year after India had gained independence, Hyderabad was overtaken after five days of police action. The Nizam signed, under threat of force, the Instrument of Accession to the Indian Union and Hyderabad was integrated into the Indian Union as a state. The state got its first democractic government and the representatives of its 18 million people were admitted to the Constituent Assembly then drafting a constitution for free India. For the next eight years, Hyderabad continued as a separate state within the union.

On November 1, 1956, the states of India were reorganized on linguistic grounds. Consequently, the terrorities of the State of Hyderabad were divided between newly created Andhra Pradesh, Bombay state (later Maharashtra), and Karnataka. Hyderabad and the surrounding areas were added to Andhra Pradesh based on Telugu linguistic majority, and Hyderabad became the capital of the new state of Andhra Pradesh.

Hyderabad city is located in the center of Andhra Pradesh, in the region of Telangana. It lies on the Deccan Plateau, 541 meters (1776 ft) above sea level, over an area of 260 km² (100 mile²).

The original city of Hyderabad was founded on the banks of river Musi. Now known as the historic old city, home to the Charminar and Makkah Masjid, it lies on the southern bank of the river. The city has grown over the centuries on both banks and is now a metropolitan area that spreads out from the Musi river.

Charminar

This is the landmark structure of Hyderabad. Located in the heart of the city the galleries and arches of Charminar are of great importance to the tourists. The Charminar is the hub of the city, has four wide roads radiating in the four cardinal directions. The four minarets command the landscape for miles. The structure is square, each side measuring 100 feet, with a central pointed high arch at the center. The whole edifice contains numerous small decorative arches arranged both vertically and horizontally.

Mecca Masjid

Close to the Charminar stands the Mecca Masjid, begun by Muhammad Qutb Shah in 1617 and completed by Quranzeb in 1693. It is a grand edifice with a huge courtyard, which can accommodate nearly ten thousand men at prayer..

Falakuma Palace

Another tourist attraction in Hyderabad is the Falakuma palace. The palace was home to the last Nizam and stores the most expensive art objects, tapestries and carpets, in addition to the largest single-man collection of diamonds.

Husain Sagar Lake

Between Hyderabad and its twin city Secunderabad lays the Husain Sagar Lake. This large artificial lake offers breathtaking views of Naubat Pahad, a hilltop crowned by the Birla temple.

Hyderabad Golconda Fort

The majestic and imposing monument which lies on the Western outskirts of Hyderabad city - Golconda Fort, unravels with it the 400 years of the rich cultural heritage of this city. Golconda has been known as famous center for diamonds, and the diamond mines boast of some of the most renowned diamonds in the world. The Kohinoor originally belonged to Golconda as did the Darya-I-Noor, the Orloff, the Pitt, and the great table of the Nizam. This massive fort is 11 km in perimeter and its walls are 15 to 18 ft high. The whole fort is built in granite and is flanked by 70 ramparts and 8 huge gates.

By Air

Hyderabad is connected by air with Ahemdabad, Bhubaneshwar, Kolkotta, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam.

By Rail

Hyderabad / Secunderabad are connected by rail with major cities.

By Road

Hyderabad is also well-connected by National Highways. It is connected by road to Banglore(590 km), Visakhapatnam(667 km), Chennai(671 km), Goa (698) km, Mumbai (713 km).

Hyderabad is a shopper's paradise. The city is synonymous with pearls. Cultured pearls studded in gold and silver jewellery of exquisite design are specialty. Laad Bazar near Charminar is the heart of old Hyderabad, and where you'll find Hyderabadi specialties such as pearls, glass and jewelry. One can also buy Bidriware from here, as Hyderabad is also famous for Bidriware. For women, Hyderabad holds yet another shopping opportunity ­ those irresistible late Kat saris in striking colors. Also typical of the state is Kalmakari­the hand painted fabric, and Nirmal painting, using dyes to create memorable scenes from the Mahabharat and the Ramayana.

Abids Basheerbagh, Nampally and Sultan Bazar in Hyderabad; MG Road and Rashtrpati Road in Secunderabad are the most ideal place for the shoppers.