HYDERABAD ( PURANI HAVELI)

PURANI HAVELI

•  Purani Haveli is a palace located in Hyderabad, India. It was the official residence of the Nizam. It was also known as Haveli Khadeem, which means old mansion, was constructed for Sikander Jah, Asaf Jah III (1803-1829) by his father Ali Khan Bahadur, Asaf Jah II.

• Purani Haveli was originally intended to serve as the residence of Mir Momen, the Peshwa (Prime Minister) of Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in the late 16th century. It came into the possession of Nizam III in the 18th century. He had first decided to refurbish it to act as the quarters of his son Sikandar Jah. When Sikandar Jah made up his mind to shift to the Khilaurat complex, this place acquired the nickname of Purani Haveli.

• In 1777 AD, this property was transferred when Nawab Mir Nizam Ali Khan, Nizam II, acquired the Haveli from Mir Alam who was a descendant of Mir Momin, the original owner. Later this property was hierarchically passed on to Nizam III in the eighteenth century. Nizam III's son Sikandar Jah relocated this haveli to the Khilaurat complex and since then it came to be known as Purani Haveli.

• The most extraordinary feature of this mansion is that there is a hand-cranked lift that is made of wood and embraces the full length of one wing of the palace.

• The two enormous courtyards are flanked by rooms and intricate balconies with European vaults. Some rooms of the Purani Haveli have mosaic floors and tiled walls that have still not been damaged by the ravages of time. The old building also houses antique furniture that are of great historical value. Apart from this there is also a library and a museum that houses a collection of gifts acquired by the Nizam.