THE GEOGRAPHIC
HYDERABAD (5th Largest City of India), the capital city of Telangana State India). Population of more than 10 million & Agglomerated area 727 sq. kms on the Deccan Plateau. Location: 17o E 22’ N Latitude & 78 o 27’ Longitude
THE HISTORY
Ruled by the Qutub Shahis, the city has a history of nearly 400 years. The capital Bhagyanagar was named after a royal beloved Bhagyamati, who later as the wife of Quli Qutub Shah became Hyder Mahal and thus was born Hyderabad.
Hyderabad was founded on the banks of River Musi five miles east of Golconda, the capital of the Qutub Shahi rulers in 1591-92 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. 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, when Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal ruler, captured Golconda from Abul Hasan Tana Shah, the last king of Golconda. 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, 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. In 1769, Nizam Ali Khan Asif Jah II, shifted the capital from Aurangabad (The capital founded by Mughal rulers) 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. 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 “Faithfull, Ally of the British Government” was bestowed on Nizam VIL. The rule of the seven Nizam’s saw the growth of Hyderabad both culturally and economically. Hyderabad, under the Nizam’s, was the largest princely state in India. 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 and later after the formation of Telangana state, Hyderabad became capital for Telangana.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Language:
The official language of Hyderabad is Telugu but there are various other regional languages spoken by the people of the state of Telangana. English is used for official and commercial purposes. Most of the people on the streets understand and converse in English. The other languages popular here in Hyderabad are Urdu and Hindi.
Time Zone:
India has a single time zone. It is 5.5 hours ahead of the GMT, 4.5 hours behind the Australian Eastern Standard time and 11.5 hours ahead of American Eastern Standard Time (winter).
Climate:
Weather in Hyderabad is very pleasant. Temperature in Hyderabad ranges from 11°C to 42°C.
Electricity:
Usually 220 volts AC, 50Hz some areas have a DC supply. Plugs used are of the round two and three pin type. Adapters and voltage converters come handy if plan to operate electrical and electronic appliances.
Telephone:
International Direct Dailling service is widely available all over India. Country code: 91. Outgoing international code: 00. Hyderabad City code: 40.
Mobile Telephone:
India operates on GSM 900 networks. Coverage is extensive. Your cell phone should support GSM 900.
How to Reach:
The capital city of Hyderabad is well connected to most major Indian cities and some overseas. Secunderabad main station is well connected to all cities of the country.
By Air:
Hyderabad is well connected to national and international destinations with both national and international air carriers. Needless to say you can reach anywhere from Hyderabad in no time. Hyderabad is centrally located and exudes a huge potential to be transformed into a transit hub of South Asia.
By Rail:
Being the head quarter of South Central Railway, Hyderabad is well connected from all major cities of India. There are railway stations at Hyderabad (Nampally) and Kachiguda also. Trains leaving from these two stations can be boarded at Secunderabad railway station.
By Road:
Hyderbad, being Capital city is well connected by Road from all major cities in Telangana. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharastra, Chattisgarh and Orissa.
