MIRACLE: TOURISM IN INDIA: Feb 11, 2011

PAIGAH TOMBS

These are recently discovered series of mausoleums with unique geometrical sculptures which were no where found in the world. These are located at Chandrayanagutta. Paigahs were noblemen under the reign of Nizams. Paigahs were noblemen under the reign of Nizams.

History

The tombs were constructed in the year 1787's by Nawab Taig Jung Bahadur and Later by his son Amir e Kabir I( In the 1880's some additions were made by Sir Asman Jah,Sir Khurshid Jah And Sir Vikar Ul Umra).the tombs of several generations of the Paigah nobles include Abul Fatah Khan Shums ul Umra I to shums ul Umra v, Sir Asman Jah, Sir Khursheed Jah, Sir Vicar-ul-Umra, Sultan ul Mulk,Lady Vicar ul Umra,Lady Khurshid Jah,Lady Asman Jah,Moin ud Dowla,Zaheer yar Jung and other members of the Paigah Family.

KHILWAT MUBARAK

· This is heart of Chowmahalla Palace. It is held in high esteem by the people of Hyderabad, as it was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. The grand pillared Durbar Hall has a pure marble platform on which the Takht-e-Nishan or the royal seat was laid.

· Here the Nizams held their durbar and other religious and symbolic ceremonies. The 19 spectacular Chandeliers of Belgian crystal recently reinstalled to recreate the lost splendor of this regal hall.

The Council Hall which housed a rare collection of manuscripts and priceless books is where the Nizam often met important officials. Today it is the venue for temporary exhibitions from the treasures of the Chowmahalla Palace Collection that offer you a glimpse of a bygone era.

Named after the sixth Nizam’s mother, Roshan Bangla is another exquisite part of this courtyard. The sixth Nizam is believed to have lived here and the building was named after his mother Roshan Begum

The centerpiece, indeed the pièce de résistance, is the Khilwat, the grand Durbar Hall. With its Mughal domes and arches and a distinct Persian influence reflected in the ornate stucco work, this is the heart of the Chowmahalla Palace. It is held in high esteem by the people of Hyderabad as it was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.

SOUTHERN COURTYARD

The oldest part of the complex currently under restoration, comprises of the four palaces Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal and Aftab Mahal.

Of these the Aftab Mahal is the grandest of them all and is a two storied building with a European façade of Corinthian columns and a parapet without pediment.

NORTHERN COURTYARD

The northern courtyard has been painstakingly restored and is now open to the public. The highlights of this area are the Bara Imam - a long corridor of rooms on the east side that once housed the administrative wing. And the Shishe-Alat or quite literally, the shishe or mirror image which was once used as guest rooms for officials accompanying visiting dignitaries.

Hyderabad is a city with a history that reads like a love story and a past that sounds like a fairy tale. The rule of the Nizams fills pages and pages of this history with a legendary patronage of arts, architecture and science. One monument that in its intrinsic grandeur still exudes the power of yore is the CHOWMAHALLA PALACE. (Chow means four. And Mahal means Palace. Chow-Mahalla therefore means four palaces).

The sheer magnificence of the place is breath-taking. The Courtyard where parties can be held, is a vast expanse of lush green lawns and picturesque water tanks and fountains.And now for the details of what the Palace Authorities can do to make your party one of the most talked about events in town.

It was the seat of Asaf Jahi dynasty, where the Nizam entertained his official guests and royal visitors. Initiated in 1750 by Nizam Salabat Jung and designed along the lines of the Shah's palace in Isfahan, this actually consists of a group of palaces each used as a Durbar Hall. It has now been aesthetically renovated and is also venue for conferences.

Built over 200 years ago, Chowmahalla is renowned for its unique style and elegance.A synthesis of many architectural styles and influences, the Palace Complex has been meticulously restored.

While Nizam Salabhat Jung is credited with initiating the construction of the palace complex in 1750, it was Nizam Afzar-ud-Dawla Bahadur who ensured that it was completed between 1857 and 1869.

Extending from the Laad Bazaar on the north to the Aspan Chowk Road on the south, the palace originally covered 45 acres but regretably only 12 acres remain.

The Chowmahalla complex which is a replica of the Shah’s Palace in Teheran, Iran today consists of two courtyards with elegant palaces, the grand Khilwat (the Durbar Hall), fountains and gardens.