Hyderabad Heritage Structures

[Babji]

Jham singh Balaji Temple Gudi Malkapur Hyderabad.

Photo: Venkateshwarlu

Jham Singh, was one of those gallant y Rajput cavaliers who migrated from Unnao district in Uttar Pradesh and went on to become a kumandan, a commandant of the remount corps in the armies of Nawab Sikandar Jah and Asaf Jah III (1803-1829).

Singh had a passion for horses and an uncanny ability to pick the best of the lot. Impressed by his equine sense, he was chosen by the third nizam as the cavalier in-charge of buying horses for the army. And like some of the Muslim nawabs of the time who had an obsession for quaint palaces and mosques, he too took his passion far and gave a new meaning to the old saying "if wishes were horses... .." Combining his innate talent with single-minded devotion, he gave shape to his imagination and the result was the Jham Singh Balaji Mahadev temple built in 1810, making the stallion a sort of leitmotif. The grand entrance with the rajagopuram has stone images of horses on either side besides the temple chariot which is also led by two wooden horses!

[Babji]

Jham Singh Balaji temple Gudi Malakpur - Hyd.

Photo: Venkateshwarlu


URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/...1000240300.htm

This imposing temple gateway and the nearby mosque which used to be called as the Jham Singh mosque have been listed in the heritage buildings of Hyderabad. The temple, having several typical features, apart from the horse images, is located near Karwan, once the famous diamond cutting and trade centre of the Qutub Shahi era, close to the wholesale vegetable market at Guddi Malkapur. In fact the market has come up on the 22 acres given away by the descendents of Jham Singh from the original sprawling 55-acre chunk of the temple. It is believed by some that the area itself got its name, after this temple, guddi being a corrupted version of gudi (temple).

The nearly two centuries-old temple is magnificent, a symphony in stone, patterned on the famous south Indian temples of Tirumala and Kanchi. The main temple stands on 12 pillars of dressed stone. Endowments Department officials managing the temple say the pillars and the monolithic dhwajasthambham has no parallel in the twin cities. The presiding deity is Lord Balaji (Sri Venkateswara Swamy) with his consorts, on either side, all in black granite bedecked in jewellery.

Next to the sanctum sanctorum is the temple dedicated to Lord Mahadeva (Shiva), another unique feature, according to J. P. Singh, former IAS officer and a close relative of the descendents of Jham Singh. Now into its fifth generation, the family takes a keen interest in the temple's affairs. "Nowhere will you find Vasihnavite and Shaivite temples in the same complex without even a wall separating them".

Elsewhere in the complex are temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Lord Krishna and a kalyana mandapam. The tulasi vrindavan in granite located near the dhwajasthambam has images of Jham Singh and his spouse sculpted in a posture of worship. Apart from daily sevas, the temple attracts a large congregation during the brahmotsavam in May and the Dussehra festival.

Two other features of the temple complex deserve particular mention. One is an intricately designed naqqar khana, (the place for drum beaters) enclosing in it a ratha sthala and dominated by overhanging balconies, standing in front of the entrance of the temple. Unfortunately, it is in a state of disrepair, as is the case with the kalyana mandapam and the dharmashala. The second is that the temple well has a plaque with a Persian quatrain, inviting pilgrims and wayfarers to relax and drink the sweet and cool water of the well!

[Babji]

Chilkur Balaji Temple



The Balaji Temple is located at Chilkur in the Hyderabad district.
It is about 33 Kms away from Mehedipatnam, well connected by road.
Approximately 75,000 to 1,00,000 devotees visit in a week.
Generally temple gets heavy rush on Fridays and Sundays.

The temple is one of the oldest in Telengana.
It has been built during the time of Akkanna and Madanna,
the uncles of Bhakta Ramdas, who built Bhadrachalam temple).

[Babji]

Chilkur - Sri Balaji Temple

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/6...uence017kz.png

Twenty Five kilometers from Hyderabad off the Vikarabad road and on the banks of Osmansagar is the picturesque village of Chikur with its hoary temple dedicated to Sri Balaji Venkateshwara. From the style, structure and appearance, it can be inferred that the temple was built half a millennium ago. Set in sylvan surroundings, the temple attracts thousands of pilgrims every year and is an ideal place for sequestered retreat and meditation. It enjoyed in the past, great days of pomp and glory.

The temple is one of the oldest in Telengana, having been built during the time of Akkanna and Madanna, the uncles of Bhakta Ramdas.

Many devout worshippers flock to the temple, to receive the blessings of the Lord and his consorts throughout the year particularly during the Poolangi, Annakota and Brahmothsavams

The temple has been visited by great Acharyas from time to time. A visit to the temple is a must for the Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt every time he visits the twin cities, and in the temple is installed the idol of the first Jeer. The Tilakayaths of Sri Vallabhacharya Sampradaya have been regularly visiting the shrine. Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya of Sringeri Mutt and his disciple graced the efforts of the trustees in improving the temple.

[Babji]

PURANA PUL
http://intach.ap.nic.in/photogallery2.htm

Purana pul or old bridge is the most famous of the four bridges of Hyderabad. It was built in 1578 by Sultan Ibrahim Qutb Shah, the king of Golconda. There are 22 arches to this elegant bridge. It is 600 feet long, 35 feet broad and 54 feet above the river bed.

It is said the 424-year-old Purana Pul, was built to unite Muhammad Quli Qutab, the prince of Golconda (now Hyderabad) with his beloved Bhagyamati, an ordinary Hindu girl who lived accross river Musi.

The young prince's father Ibrahim Qutab Shah was initially firmly opposed to the match but his son's obsessive love for the girl finally melted him. He not only consented to the marriage but also ordered a bridge to be built to unite the two communities.

[kaushik]

source:sami mohammad
charminar


osmania university

source:anaproy.net

[Babji]

Originally Posted by kaushik

source:sami mohammad
charminar


osmania university

source:anaproy.net

Nice pics. Thanks, Kaushik.

HUDA List # "14 Osmania Arts College, Osmania University Grade I"

Arts College Hyderabad

click on this link for a panoramic view:
http://hyderabadbest.com/360panorama...rtscollage.asp

click on this link for a photo essay:
http://whazzuphyd.blogspot.com/2005/...n-granite.html

... Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last of the Nizams, after whom the university was named, said at the opening of the Arts College building “God be praised that this gorgeous edifice is now ready. This structure has no parallel in the world or in India for beauty, grandeur and nobility. The architectural style of the Arts College is like the Urdu language, the manifestation of the Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture and its façade, its pillars and its portals portray the culture an arts of the two people.”

... In short, the Arts College building is a torrent of architectural glory unleashed on the spectator, a freeze on history, an epic in granite, and a marvel of a visual difficult to denote.

http://7wondersofhyderabad.com/osman...versity-2.html

[Babji]

Would any one know what this structure is and where it is located?
Looks pretty diff. Is this a heritage structure?

[pding]

back in 1999, the chilukur temple got some 100-300 visitors everyday. but since 2001 the temple's fame has been increasing leaps and bounds. it's called the "tirupati of Telangana)

[Babji]

I heard there are regular bus services from Mehdipatnam to Chilkur with a vey high frequency (like every 20 minutes or so). In fact the buses are also helping the people living enroute with good transportation.

May be they should consider some thing like Sky Bus for this route! Its mostly long straight roads with some right angle turns, no sharp turns. It gives an opportunity for Konkan Railways to prove the indegenious technology. It also makes the trip worthwhile for commuters.

May be TTD should do some thing to help with funding too.
Is AP Tourism completely dead or asleep...

[Babji]

News From Webindia123.com
Bicentenary celebrations of Secunderabad in June
Hyderabad | May 12, 2006 1:30:17 PM IST

Secunderabad, named after Asaf Jahi dynasty third Nizam Sikandar Jah, is all set to witness bicentenary celebrations from June 3-10.
It boasts of a bunglow where Winston Churchill, British Premier during World War II, had stayed in 1880s when he was posted in Secunderabad as a subaltern.

The Army still has a substantial presence in Secunderabad, which was founded at the end of the 18th century as a British cantonment under an agreement between the Nizam of Hyderabad and the East India Company.

What started as an exclusive preserve of the army in the British Raj has grown into a bustling metropolis, now merging with Hyderabad, the state capital.

It houses the Rashtrapathi Nilayam, the official residence of the President of India in South India, Trimulgherry Fort, completed in 1867, Trinity Church and Military Prison since Victorian times.

Besides mosques, minarets, mounments, it is dotted with places of worship.

Hyderabad Urban Development Authority has appealed to the citizens possessing rare and old pictures, documents, memoirs, articles, photographs of heritage buidlings to get in touch with its celebrations sub-committee so that too could be showcased as part of the celebrations.

[Babji]

HUDA List #: 15 Malwala Palace, == Main Courtyard. Secondary Courtyard and Residential quarters. Near Charminar 23-1-100. Grade I.

Malwala Palace

The Malwala palace is located on the main road, a 100 years east of Charminar, is Malwala palace, built in 1845 by Raja Ram Parishad Lal Bahadur. It is one of the palaces that cluster around Charminar lending the whole area and Aura regal glory and majesty.

Malawala Palace is one of the few surviving wooden palaces of Hyderabad built in late Mughal and Rajasthani style. The ancestor of this family, Sagar Mall had accompanied the first Nizam to Hyderabad in 1724. Sagar Mall became custodian of the revenue (Mall) records of the state. This function was passed down to his descendants hereditarily. Thus the family acquired the name Malwala.

Malwala Palace is located along the road leading towards east from Charminar. The complex had three components: the double storeyed large residential quarters arranged around several smaller courtyards and vernacular overhanging wooden balconies at first floor level facing the street; the road side block with a double height semicircular gateway flanked by a pedimented side wing with Corinthian columns in European style enclosing a smaller and outer courtyard, and finally the grand inner court with a fountain in the centre surrounded by wooden pavilions on two sides and overhanging wooden balconies with intricate carvings and supported by ornate wooden brackets on the other two sides.

This inner court is accessed by another arched gateway on which at first floor a Naubat Khana is located. The southern pavilion facing the entrance has a grand facade of seven cusped Mughal arches in carved and lacquered wood approached by wide flight of stairs. This leads to a double height hall that has rooms overlooking it from the first floor. A flight of wooden steps links this first floor with the ground. These two pavilions and the courtyard were used for family gatherings and for entertaining guests during special occasions. Malwala Palace is unique in its extensive use of woodwork and as specimen of a typical Hyderabad courtyard house. This is also one of the important palaces belonging to Hyderabad’s erstwhile nobles.

[Babji]

HUDA List #: 101 Raja Bhagwandas Building Sultan Bazar, 4-4-125/3 Grade: III

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/...1200120300.htm

The Raja Bhagwandas Bagh Pavilion is one of the few examples of a genre of architecture which is slowly disappearing

The Raja Bhagwandas Bagh Pavilion was a famous garden palace virtually draped in a shawl of green punctuated by diverse flower and fruit-bearing trees.

"When we bought it from a Nawab, 180 years ago, the palace, which may have been the Rani Mahal, was in a bagh spread over all of 26 acres. There were such a variety of flowers and fruits. The vast verdant stretch had six irrigation wells and moats from where water was drawn by bullocks. My childhood memories go back to the time when we would spend most of our holidays in the garden", recalls Satish Govindas Shah, well-known gemologist belonging to the Raja's legendary family.

Raised on a high platform, the double-storied pavilion in mellowed teak is one of the surviving examples of a genre of architecture, which is slowly disappearing. The only other palace having a wooden pavilion in the city, Malwala Palace, near Charminar, was pulled down a few years ago. The Bhagwandas pavilion built around 1800 resembles Tipu's palace in toto with open arcades all around and jharokas (balconies) overlooking the arcaded verandahs. The arches are essentially cusped. The fluted wooden columns, the canopies and the window projections are in the later Mughal and Rajasthani styles. The intimacy of scale, the perfection of wooden carvings of floral patterns and birds that dot every square inch of the structure and the fine proportions elevate the palace to a rare architectural specimen.

"It is only my sentimental attachment to the palace that has kept it intact till now". He has a point here as all his cousins have sold their property leaving only the pavilion, a fountain in front and some open area. But for his abiding interest, the palace would have disappeared like many others.

The garden is named after Raja Bhagwandas, the eldest son of Raja Haridas, who came from a family having its roots in Morera, Gujarat. History books say Raja Haridas accompanied Nizam-ul- Mulk Asaf Jah I to Hyderabad in the early 1720s. The hereditary occupation of the family was banking and jewellery. A member of the family, Kishandas was on the committee of bankers known as panch bhaya, appointed to set right the Nizam's state accounts when these were in a hopeless condition during the prime ministership of Maharaja Chandulal. All items of income and expenditure had to pass their scrutiny.

Kishandas excelled both in business acumen and in public affairs. Apart from playing a key role in scrutinising public accounts, he was the main supplier of timber to large shipping companies at Masulipatnam and Bombay. In appreciation of his contribution, the Nizam appointed him honorary talukdar of districts and conferred on him an extensive jagir. The family had a big jewellery firm and it was patronised liberally by the sixth Nizam, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan. An interesting aside is that the family offered Rs.4, 500 for a small cup, at an auction held by Sir Stuart Fraser, the British Resident, in aid of the War Fund.

The chain of Gujarati educational institutions in the city owes their existence to the family's munificence

[Hindustani]

#33 Darush Shifa & Mosque ==Darush shifa, Bes.22-8-361 =========== II-A

"In the late 16th century, it was considered among the three best teaching hospitals in the world, the other two being in Bukhra and Baghdad"

Haven of Healing

The city had among its prized possessions, the Dar-ul-Shifa, a world-class hospital and the country's first in-patient treatment facility, four centuries ago. In the late 16th century, it was considered among the three best teaching hospitals in the world, the other two being in Bukhra and Baghdad. If the Qutub Shahis had Dar-ul-Shifa, the Nizams had to their credit Nizamia Tibbi and the Osmania Hospitals.

Located a few yards across the old Municipal Corporation Office in an area named after it, Dar-ul-Shifa, was built in 1595, by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah just four years after founding the city. The location itself needs a specific mention. It speaks of planning, vision and care taken by the Qutub Shahi rulers in creating the best of amenities for the citizens, though unani medicine was the only system of treatment available at that time..............The scale of the hospital spread over all of 6000 square yards and its symmetrical arched structure standing around a quadrangular courtyard, looks stupendous

[Babji]

Dar-ul-Shifa (contd.)

...Books on the history of unani medicine in the city, record that the building had eastern, western and southern wings with twelve double rooms on the ground floor and the same number on the first floor. The northern side had the gateway, in which there were eight double rooms on the ground floor and the same number on the first floor. These chambers were used as "in-patient" wards. The outpatient wards were located adjacent to the northern gate. A staircase leads to the first floor from where convalescent patients could breathe in fresh air and get a full view of the nascent capital, this being the only double storied building in the area at that time.

The hospital was utilised from the Qutubshahi period down to the reign of the first Nizam, Nizam-ul-Mulk...

Lets hope the GoAP will take appropriate steps to restore and preserve this historical tresure.
Thanks Hindustani.

[Babji]

Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchal Nagar Sahib - Nanded
(historical links to Bahadur Sha - Golkonda 1708 - Nizam of Hyderabad ).



http://allaboutsikhs.com/gurudwaras/gurud_12.htm

Gurudwara Hazur Sahib - Nanded

Nanded (pronounced Nander), formerly in Hyderabad State is now a district town in Maharashtra. It is a railway station on the Manmad-Secunderabad section of South Central Railway. One of the five Sikh Takhts is located here and the Sikhs reverently refer to it as Hazur Sahib. Nanded is associated with the first and the last of the Sikh Gurus. While Guru Nanak Dev passed through it during his extensive travels which took him as far south as Sri Lanka, Guru Gobind Singh spent the last few days of his earthly life here. He arrived here with emperor Bahadur Shah towards the end of August 1708, and, while the latter went on to Golconda after a few days rest, the Guru decided to stay on here. It appears that he had followed the emperor through Rajasthan to Deccan in the hope that justice would be meted out to his persecutors and murderers of his young sons and numerous Sikhs, as perhaps promised by the emperor at Agra. But finding that for over one year the emperor had been avoiding the issue and had shown no inclination to punish the culprits, the Guru was disappointed and decided to part company with him. Here he found a man of destiny and promise in a Bairagi Sadhu whom he baptized with Khande di Pahul (renaming him Banda Singh) and commissioned to go north, marshal the Sikhs in Punjab and dispense justice as deserved by the perpetrators of crime in the past, the faujdar of Sirhind, Wazir Khan being the most deserving among them. Meanwhile, Wazir Khan had not been sitting idle or complacent. Aware of the rapport established between the Guru and the new emperor, he realized the possibility of harm to himself through royal action or retribution. He, therefore, hired two assassins to pursue the Guru and eliminate him at the first opportunity that offered itself to them. They got their chance there at Nanded when one of them stabbed the Guru, and although both of them were themselves killed on the spot, the Guru, too, did not survive the wound. He breathed his last there but not until he had formally passed on the spiritual light of Guruship to Guru Granth Sahib, the Shabad-Guru of the Sikhs for ever thereafter. All historical Gurdwaras at and near Nanded, except one dedicated to Guru Nanak Dev, are associated with the activities of Guru Gobind Singh during the forty odd days of his stay here. All the Gurdwaras are connected by road to the central shrine, the Takht Sahib and the management arranges hired-transport to take pilgrims around to them.

"The Eternal Father willed and I raised the Panth. All my Sikhs are hereby ordered to accept the Granth as their Preceptor. Have faith in the holy Granth, as your master and consider it the visible manifestation of the Gurus. He who hath a pure heart will seek guidance from its holy words."

These are the words uttered by the the tenth Guru Sri Gobind Singh, before his death on October 7, 1708 at Nanded in Maharashtra. At the site where the Guru breathed his last, was built a Gurdwara between 1832 and 1837, under instructions from Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is called "Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchal Nagar Sahib". It is a two-storey building. The architectural design resembles that of the Golden Temple. It's' interior is artistically ornamented in the style of Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar. The walls of the inner room called Angitha Sahib have been covered with golden plates On the first floor, recitations from Sri Guru Granth Sahib, go on day and night. The dome is polished and on the pinnacle is the kalash made of gold plated copper.

Some of the sacred relics of Guru Gobind Singh are also preserved here. These are, a golden dagger, a matchlock gun, an archer with 35 arrows, two bows, a steel shield studded with precious stones and five golden swords.

Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib is the principal shrine at Nanded. It marks the site where the Guru had his camp in 1708 A.D. after the departure of the emperor Bahadur Shah. The tenth Guru held his court and congregation here. It is the site of his own tent where he was convalescing after he was attacked by assasins. It is the place from where the tenth Guru rose to heaven alongwith his horse Dilbag.

...The present building of the Takhat Sahib was got constructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh with money, artisans and labour sent from Punjab during early 1830s. Around the same time the Nizam of Hyderabad raised a contingent of Northern Sikhs as part of his army. Most of these men settled permanently in Hyderabad State.

This historical shrine is situated on the bank of the Godavari river and is visited by thousands of devotees throughout the year from all over India and abroad. It is one of the five Takhts (thrones) of the Sikhs and is much venerated by them. Here took place in the first week of September, 1708, the conversion to Sikhism of a Bairagi Sadhu Madho Dass, who under a new name of Banda Singh Bahadur, gave a sharp turn to the history of the Sikhs. It was this great hero who in the next seven years (1709-1715) shook the Mughal empire in the north-west to its very foundation and paved the way for the liberation of the Punjab in 1764-65.

[Hindustani]

Babji....................very interesting. Thanks for the history lesson

[Babji]

HUDA List #:55 Falaknuma Palace

One of the finest palaces in Hyderabad, the monument is situated on a hill of 2000 feet high, located 5 km south of Charminar. Built by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra, the fifth Paigah Emir, it was purchased by Nizam VI in 1897 as was used as a royal guest house and is now the property of Nawab Mukarramjah Bahadur, the grandson of Nizam VII.

The palace was designed by an Italian architect and its foundation was laid on the 3rd of March, 1884, it took 9 years to complete the construction of the Palace. The palace boasts of one of the most lavishly decorated interiors
This exquisite palace made of Italian marble was built by one of the Paigah nobles Nawab Vicar Ul Umra in 1892. A majesty testimony to the glory of the Nizams, it stands atop a hill 2000 feet high. It has often been referred to as the 'Mirror of the Sky'. The palace was designed by a Italian architect and follows a western architectural style. Falaknuma houses a large collection of rare treasures collected by the Nizam including paintings, statues, furniture, manuscripts and books. The Jade collection of the Palace is considered to be unique in the world.

The palace is laid out in the shape of a scorpion with two stings spread out as wings on the north. The middle part is occupied by the main building and the kitchen and harem quarters stretch to the south. The Nawab being an avid traveller, varies influences show on the palace architecture. Louis XIV-style decor with a lavish Mughal ambience, Italian marble staircases and ornate fountains. Its glass stained windows throw a spectrum of colours into the rooms. The palace has a library with a walnut carved roof, a replica of the one at Windsor Castle. The library had one of the finest collections of the holy Quran in India

[Babji]

Deccan Chronicle:
Rock formations likely to be added to heritage list

Hyderabad, May 29: Three rock formations in the twin cities are all set to be included in the heritage watch list. Once a rock formation is included in the list, it will be protected and no construction activity would be allowed near the formations. The three formations are the Gunrock structure near Gunrock Enclave, which has a small pond near it, the rock formations of Mahendra Hills and the Trimulgherry Dargah. The inclusion of these three rock formations was a long pending demand from conservators, and would add to the rock formations of Jubilee Hills and Hitec City which are already in the list.

To ensure the survival of the rock formations, the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (Huda) officials have requested the Cantonment Board to include the three rock structures in the heritage list so that they can be protected from quarrying which takes place regularly in the area.

Talking to this correspondent, rock conservator and member of the Huda heritage committee Frauke Quadar said, “these rocks have formed millions of years ago and add to the beauty of the Secunderabad landscape. We are trying to get in touch with the Cantonment Board officials so that they will help us out in conserving the rock formations.” Huda officials said a decision to include the three rock structures in the heritage watch list would be taken very soon.

[Babji]

http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/04/s...0418610200.htm

Fourteen Heritage Buildings identified

These are in addition to 137 buildings, nine precincts, notified earlier

HYDERABAD: From a list of 20 structures identified in the city by the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA), the Government has issued orders notifying 14 as Heritage Buildings. These buildings are in addition to the 137 buildings and nine precincts notified earlier.

The latest list of heritage structures includes a number of structures in Secunderabad, which is celebrating its 200th year.

The hoary Mahbub College, once a seat of English education, itself accounts for three buildings - P. Ramachandra Pillai Memorial Hall, C. V. Padma Rao Memorial Hall and Muthiala Raman Memorial Hall (Mahbub College).

The other Secunderabad monuments include - Old Jail Complex (Monda Market), Wesley Church Complex (Secunderabad) and St. Mary's Presbytery (St. Anns School)

St. George's Grammar School Complex (Abids), Mr. Krishna Reddy's Building (Mehdipatnam), Bhoiguda Kamaan (Mangalhaat), IAS Officers Association Building (Greenlands), Mitti ka Sher, Nampally Sarai, Sheik Faiz ki Kamaan (Yakuthpura) and Ghode ki Qabar (Pan Mandi).