Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

?Hyderabad Andhra Pradesh • India
Nickname: The City of Pearls, The City of the Nizams.
Charminar, the most enduring symbol of the city
Hyderabad
Coordinates:
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Coastline	986 km² (381 sq mi) • 0 km (0 mi)
Climate • Precipitation Temperature • Summer • Winter	Aw (Köppen) • 803 mm (31.6 in) 26.0 °C (79 °F) • 30.9 °C (88 °F) • 23.5 °C (74 °F)
Distance(s) • From Delhi • From Mumbai • From Chennai	• 1,499 km S (land) • 711 km SE (land) • 658 km N (land)
Region	Andhra Pradesh
District(s)	Hyderabad
Population • Density • Metro	4 893 640 (2008[update]) • 16,215 /km² (41,997 /sq mi) • 8 696 939 (3 rd) (2008 june)
Language(s)	Telugu, Urdu
Mayor	Election due
Commissioner	N K Singh
Founded	1592
Parliamentary constituency	Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Malkajgiri, Chevella(partially)
Planning Agency	GHMC
Codes • Pincode • Telephone • UN/LOCODE • Vehicle	• 500 xxx • +91-40 • INHYD • AP09, AP10, AP11, AP12, AP13, AP28, AP29
Website: www.ghmc.gov.in/

Hyderabad (pronounced /ˈhaɪdərəbɑːd/ or /ˈhaɪdrəbæd/ in English, Telugu: హైదరాబాదు pronunciation) is the capital city and most populous city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The city of Hyderabad has an estimated population of around 7 million, making it an A-1 status city. Greater Hyderabad metropolitan area which incorporates surrounding urban nodes is the second largest in terms of land area in the country after Delhi.

Hyderabad is known for its rich history, culture and architecture representing its unique character as a meeting point for North and South India, and also its multilingual culture, both geographically and culturally. Also known as The City of Nizams and The City of Pearls,^[1] Hyderabad is today one of the fast developing cities in the country and a modern hub of Information technology, ITES, and biotechnology. The people of Hyderabad are known as Hyderabadis, a term derived from the city's name Hyderabad.

Hyderabad has become a preferred conference venue in India as well as the world, with many conferences and meetings taking place in the city. The city is home to the world's largest film studio, the Ramoji Film City as well as the second largest film industry in the country, the Telugu Film Industry known popularly as Tollywood. The city is also known to be a sporting destination with many national and international games conducted here. The city is regarded as a blend of traditionality with modernity.

Etymology

Theories explaining the origins and etymology behind Hyderabad's name differ. A popular theory suggests that after founding the city, Quli Qutb Shah fell in love with and married a local Banjara girl known as Bhagyamathi naming the city,Bhagyanagaram. Upon her conversion to Islam, Bhagyamathi changed her name to Hyder Mahal and thus the city was named Hyderabad (literally, "the city of Hyder").^[2]

History

Main article: History of Hyderabad (India)

The Chowmahalla Palace was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and was the official residence of the Nizam

Hyderabad's history dates back to 500 BC, as proved by the discovery of numerous Iron Age sites belonging to that era.^[3]

Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, a ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty the ruling family of the Golconda, previously a feudatory of Bahmani sultanate that declared independence in 1512, founded the city of Hyderabad on the banks of the Musi River in 1591;^[4] to relieve a water shortage the dynasty had experienced at their old headquarters at Golconda.^[5] He also ordered the construction of the Charminar, the iconic monument of the city, in 1591, reportedly in gratitude to the Almighty for arresting the plague epidemic before it did irreversible damage to his new city.^[6]

The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb captured Hyderabad in 1687 and during this short Mughal rule. But the Mughal-appointed governors of the city soon gained autonomy. In 1724, Asaf Jah I, who was granted the title Nizam-ul-Mulk ("Governor of the country") by the Mughal emperor, defeated a rival official to establish control over Hyderabad. Thus began the Asaf Jahi dynasty that ruled Hyderabad until a year after India's independence from Britain. Asaf Jah's successors ruled as the Nizams of Hyderabad. The rule of the seven Nizams saw the growth of Hyderabad both culturally and economically. Hyderabad became the formal capital of the kingdom and Golconda was almost abandoned. Huge reservoirs, like the Nizam Sagar, Tungabhadra, Osman Sagar, Himayat Sagar, and others were built. Survey work on Nagarjuna Sagar had also begun during this time; the actual work was completed by the Government of India in 1969. The wealth and grandeur of the Nizams is demonstrated by the fabled Jewels of The Nizams which is a tourist attraction.The state was richest and the largest among the princely states of India.The land area of the state was 90,543 mi² its population in 1901 was 5,00,73,759. It enjoyed an estimated revenue of £9,00,29,000.

After the Indian independence in 1947, under the terms of independence from the British, the Nizam wanted to either remain independent or accede to Pakistan. India, then, implemented an economic blockade and forced Hyderabad state to sign a Standstill Agreement with the Indian Union. On September 17, 1948, more than a year after India had gained independence, the Nizam signed the Instrument of Accession to the Indian Union in the aftermath of Operation Polo.

On November 1, 1956, the states of India were reorganized on linguistic grounds. The territories 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 the Telugu speaking community. Thus, Hyderabad became the capital city of the new state of Andhra Pradesh.

After becoming the capital,the city slowly started to shun the shadow of a princely state and gain importance politically,geographically and economically. People from various parts of the state started settling and investing here. Since '90s the city has transformed itself hugely to acquire the present form,thanks to liberalisation. This brought many changes in lifestyle ,culture. It saw the makeshift of Telugu filmdom from Chennai to Hyderabad. The growth in IT sector and construction of International Airport witnessed rise in various other fields like realestate in 2000s.

Geography and climate

Hussain Sagar Lake

Main article: Geography of Hyderabad

Situated on the Deccan Plateau, Hyderabad has an average elevation of about 500 metres above sea level (1640 ft). Most of the area has a rocky terrain and some areas are hilly. There is a lot of cultivation in the surrounding areas with paddy fields and other crops which are grown.

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 Mecca Masjid, it lies on the southern bank of the river. The city center saw a shift to the north of the river, with the construction of many government buildings and landmarks there, especially south of the Hussain Sagar lake. The rapid growth of the city, along with the growth of Secunderabad and neighboring municipalities has resulted in a large and populous metropolitan area.

Hyderabad has a tropical wet and dry climate with hot summers from late February to early June, the monsoon season from late June to early October and a warm winter from late October to early February. Hyderabad gets about 32 inches (about 810 mm) of rain every year, almost all of it concentrated in the monsoon months. The highest temperature ever recorded was 46 ^o C (115 F) while the lowest recorded temperature was 6 ^o C (43 F)^[7].

Demographics

Shown here is a famous Hindu Temple - Birla Mandir

The city's population in 2001 was 5.7 million and it has reached over 7 million in 2008 making it 4th largest city in India , while the population of the metropolitan area was estimated above 8 million. Hinduism is the most widely practiced religion in the city. Muslims constitute about 40% of the population, making Hyderabad's Muslim community the largest in Andhra Pradesh.^[9] Muslims have substantial presence across the city and especially they are densely concentrated in and around Old City. Christians constitute a small amount of the city's population. Churches are located across the city and the popular ones are in Abids area.

Though Telugu is the principal languages of the city, Hindi and Urdu are also used around the city especially among the North Indians settled there. English has a strong presence among the educated people. The city has a considerable Marathi, Malayalee and Sikh population.

The Telugu spoken here has assimilated many Urdu words into it. Similarly, Urdu spoken here is also unique, with influences of Telugu and Marathi, giving rise to a dialect sometimes called Hyderabadi Urdu or Deccani. The official language, Telugu, varies a little across the state but the core language remains the same. The state of Andhra Pradesh has the highest English speaking population in India.

Administration

Main article: Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation

AP High Court at Hyderabad, the supreme judicial body of the State of Andhra Pradesh

The city is administered by Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC),^[10] whose titular head is the Mayor who has few executive powers. In the past, the mayor was chosen by the legislative body of the corporation, but just before the last elections, the state government modified the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad Act to stipulate that the mayoral election be held directly and simultaneously with the corporation elections. The real executive power of the corporation is vested in the Municipal Commissioner, an IAS officer appointed by the Andhra Pradesh state government. The Mayor and the Corporation legislative body can and have been in the past dismissed by the state government. For several years elections had not been held for the corporation. Recently the corporation completed its full term and elections are due to the GHMC and for the post of Mayor.

A large part of the twin city Secunderabad and some parts of Hyderabad itself come under the jurisdiction of the Secunderabad Cantonment Board(SCB) owing to a large presence of military units.

Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly in Hyderabad

The Hyderabad Police and Cyberabad Police comes under the state Home Ministry and are headed by Police Commissioners, the IPS officers. Basheerbagh, houses important government offices such as the Police Commissioner's office, Police Control room, Income tax Commissioner's office, Central Excise and customs office, Central Reservation office etc. The city is divided into five police zones, each headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police. The Traffic Police is a semi-autonomous body under the Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police.

The GHMC is in charge of the civic needs and the infrastructure of the metropolis. Hyderabad is divided into 150 municipal wards, each overseen by a corporator. The corporators of the administration are elected through a popular vote, and almost all the state political parties field candidates.The metropolitan area of Hyderabad covers three districts, Hyderabad, Rangareddy and Medak. The administration of each district is headed by a District Collector who is in charge of property records and revenue collection for the Central government. The district collector also oversees the national elections held in the city.

Hyderabad Metropolitan Devolopment Authority(HMDA), a planning agency headed by the Chief Minister along with a Commissioner has been formed to undertake devolopmental activities in a whopping jurisdiction of above 6,250 sq.km.

Hyderabad is the seat of the State High Court known as the AP HIgh Court, and also has two lower courts - the Small Causes Court for civil matters and the Sessions Court for criminal cases. The High Court and Legislative Assembly are heritage bulgings built by Nizam.

Hyderabad elects two members to the Lok Sabha, the lower-house of the Indian parliament, who represent the constituencies of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. In addition, parts of the city overlap two other Lok Sabha segments of Nalgonda and Siddipet. Some areas of the city form part of the Chevella and Medchal Assembly constituencies.

The Assembly segments are: Asifnagar, Himayathnagar, Khairatabad, Maharajganj, Musheerabad, Sanatnagar, Secunderabad, under Secunderabad LS seat; Charminar, Chandrayanagutta, Chevella, Karwan, Yakutpura under Hyderabad LS seat; Malakpet under Nalgonda(partially) LS seat; Cantonment, Medchal under Siddipet(partially) LS seat. However these are going to change shape with the delimitation of constituencies coming into force w.e.f. 2009 general elections.

The new 22 Assembly segments are Amberpet, Jubilee Hills, Khairatabad, Musheerabad, Nampally, Sanatnagar, Secunderabad under Secunderabad LS seat;Bahadurpura, Chandrayanagutta, Charminar, Goshamahal, Karwan, Malakpet, Yakutpura under Hyderabad LS seat;Cantonment, Kukatpally, LBNagar, Malkajgiri,Quthbullapur,Uppal under Malkajgiri LS seat;Rajendranagar and Serilingampally under Chevella(partially) LS seat.

Economy

See Also:List of IT companies in Hyderabad

A store at Laad Bazaar selling bangles and jewellery. The Laadbazar and the Charminar market area are famous for pearls.

Hyderabad is the financial and economic capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is the largest contributor to the state's gross domestic product, state tax and excise revenues. The workforce participation is about 29.55 percent. Starting in the 1990s, the economic pattern of the city has changed from being a primarily service city to being one with a more diversified spectrum, including trade, transport, commerce, storage, communication etc. Service industry is the major contributor, with urban workforce constituting 90% of the total workforce.

Hyderabad is known as the city of pearls, lakes and, lately, for its IT companies. The bangles market known as Laad Bazaar is situated near Charminar. Products such as silverware, saris, Nirmal and Kalamkari paintings and artifacts, unique Bidri handcrafted items, lacquer bangles studded with stones, silk-ware, cotton-ware and handloom-based clothing materials are made and traded through the city for centuries.

Hyderabad is a major centre for pharmaceuticals with companies such as Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Matrix Laboratories, Hetero Drugs Limited, Divis Labs, Aurobindo Pharma Limited, Lee Pharma and Vimta Labs being housed in the city. Initiatives such as Genome Valley, Fab City and the Nano Technology park are expected to create extensive infrastructure in bio-technology.^[11]

Somajiguda, one of the areas in the city where urbanization is on the rise.

Like many Indian cities, Hyderabad has witnessed a remarkable growth in the real estate business, thanks to a predominantly information-technology-driven boom in the 1990s and the retail industry growth over the last few years which have spurred hectic commercial activity. A number of mega malls have come up or are being built in the city. Real Estate demand in the suburban and rural areas surrounding Hyderabad has gone up exponentially leading to reckless increase in prices over the past few years.

The retail industry in Hyderabad is on the rise. Many International and national brands have set up retail chains here. The city has multiple CBDs (Central Business district) spread across the city. Major business/commercial districts are Abids-Kothi-Nampally areas, Ameerpet-Punjagutta-Somajiguda areas, Banjara Hills-Jubilee Hills-Kothaguda areas, Charminar-Afzalganj-Santoshnagar areas, Masab Tank-Mehdipatnam-Langar House areas, Dilsukhnagar-Kothapet-LB Nagar areas, Kukatpally-Chandanagar-BHEL areas Patny-Paradise-Karkhana areas, Habsiguda-ECIL-Sainikpuri areas etc. For the advancement of infrastructure in the city, the government is building a skyscraper business district at Manchirevula with a 450 m supertall APIIC Tower at its centre, which upon completion may be the tallest building in India.

Information Technology Industry

Modern Street with offices on both sides of the road

Main article: Information Technology industry in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad city is today known for its IT and IT Enabled Services, Pharmaceuticals and Entertainment industries. Many Software firms, call centres, Business process outsourcing (BPO) firms, dealing with IT and other technological services were set up in the 1990s making it one of the major regions for call centre setups, technology development and KPO hubs in India. The development of a township with state-of-the-art facilities called HITEC City prompted several IT and ITES companies to set up operations in the city. An aggressive promotion of growth in this area has led civic boosters to call the city "Cyberabad". Hyderabad has also been referred to as the second Silicon Valley of India next to Bangalore.^[12] There have been extensive investments in digital infrastructure within the city promoting the setting up of several campuses by a vast array of companies within the city. This list includes several multinational corporations having established their development centres in the city. The major areas where such campuses have been set up are Madhapur, Gachibowli and Uppal.

Cyber Towers IT Park, Madhapur.

Hyderabad is home to many Fortune 500 Corporations, majority of them are related to IT industry. Microsoft (the largest R&D campus outside the US), Computer Associates, Amazon, GE, IBM,AMD, Accenture, Google, Motorola, DuPont, Deloitte, Oracle Corporation, Yahoo, Dell, Franklin Templeton, Qualcomm, Agilent, ADP, UBS AG, Rockwell Collins, Bank of America, CSC, Verizon, Convergys, Texas Instruments, Hewlett-Packard, Virtusa, are some the Fortune 500 companies that have significant presence in Hyderabad. Honeywell plans to open up a new R&D centre at Nanakramguda, which is situated on the verge of Gachibowli.

Indian IT giants such as Satyam, Infosys, Wipro, Patni Computer Systems, Cognizant Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services, Four-Soft Ltd, ICICI Bank, Cybage, Polaris, Infotech Enterprises, Avineon, Apollo Health Street, Zavata Inc and Mayur's group of industries also have set up their development centres in the city.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Road

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, which runs the world's largest fleet of buses,^[13] connects Hyderabad with neighboring cities and states.

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation^[14] runs a fleet of 19,000 buses, the largest in the world.^[15] Hyderabad has the third largest bus station facility in Asia, with 72 platforms for 89 buses to load passengers at a time. Officially named as the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station, it is locally known as the Imlibun Bus Station, making trips across the state and to some parts of South India. Jubilee Bus Station at Secunderabad runs buses to various parts of the state. Buses plying in and around the city provide major commutation for city dwellers.

The yellow colored Auto Rickshaw usually referred to as an "auto", is the most widely used transport/ taxi service and has flag down minimum fare of Rs 12 for first 1.5 km and then Rs 7 per km. Radio Taxis by private players have provided a luxury travel in the city but are expensive.

Hyderabad is connected to the rest of the country by National Highways—NH-7, NH-9 and NH-202.Hyderabad is well connected to remaining parts of the state. Like other cities, Hyderabad suffers from traffic congestion. Completion of the Inner Ring Road and construction of the Outer Ring Road encircling Hyderabad city is also underway and is touted to make travel in the city easier. Many flyovers and undepasses are also being constructed to ease traffic congestion in the city.

Rail

MMTS at the Necklace Road Station

Hyderabad has a combination of light rail transportation system known as the MultiModal Transport System (MMTS) and suburban railway system which offer connectivity between rail and road transport for the facility of the commuters. MMTS provides connectivity to all major parts of the city, and is a suitable alternative for those who want to avoid road traffic. The South Central Railway headquarters are located at Secunderabad. Secunderabad is one of the biggest railway junctions in the Indian Railway map. The three main railway stations are Secunderabad Railway Station, Hyderabad Railway Station (Nampally) and Kachiguda Railway Station, providing connectivity not only within the city but also to the rest of the state and country. A moden railway terminal is being planned to construct near HITEC City railway station to facilitate passengers in the western parts of the city.

The Hyderabad Metro has been planned and constructional activity will begin by 2009 and will be completed in 3 to 4 years. The Metro is expected to ease the burgeoning traffic in the city. The Metro will travel in three different routes,with a stretch of 71 km approximately, extending even to the outskirts in the second phase of its construction.^[16]

Air

There has been an unprecedented increase in the number of passengers leading to increased air traffic. The Airport at Begumpet was unable to cope up with the situation and was shut down on 22 March 2008. The new state-of-the-art Rajiv Gandhi International Airport opened on March 2008 by Sonia Gandhi at Shamshabad, southwest of the city. The airport has the second longest runway in India next to Delhi and caters to the high passenger and cargo transits. The airport runs flights to all important destinations, both domestically and internationally.

An express flyover at a length of 11.6 km is being constructed from Mehdipatnam to Aramgarh for providing dedicated high speed travel to the airport,and is the longest flyover in India. A proposal for extending the MMTS to the new airport is under consideration. There are three wide roads leading to the new airport from the city and modern taxis can shuttle passengers between the city and the airport. The Nehru Outer Ring Road between Gachibowli and Shamshabad will also serve as an expressway to the airport.

Culture

The City has evolved into a cosmopolitan society due to the heavy presence of the Information technology Industry while maintaining ancient culture and traditions. Historically, Hyderabad has been the city where distinct cultural and linguistic traditions of North India and South India meet. Hyderabadis, as residents of the city are known, have developed a distinctive culture which is a mixture of Hindu and Muslim traditions.

Hyderabadi Biryani

Women of all cultures and faiths in Hyderabad typically wear either the traditional Indian dress, the sari, or, increasingly, the Salwar kameez especially among the younger population. The traditional Hyderabadi garb for females are the Khara Dupatta and the Shalwar Qamis, and for the males, it is the Sherwani. This is one of the more visible cultural attributes of Hyderabad. One of Hyderabad's public carnivals is the annual immersion of Lord Ganesh idols after the 10 day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations on Ananta Chaturdashi (locally known as the Ganesh Nimajjanam). It is spectacular to watch this and attracts foreigners every year. Bonalu a vernacular festival that is celebrated with great fervour. Another is the procession of Muharram which takes place every year 10th Muharram (1st month of Islamic calendar). While this event is mourned throughout the Shia Muslim world , the old city of Hyderabad is known for its grand procession in which participants sacrifice their own blood by hitting on their heads, chest and back with sharp edge weapons (knives, swords and knives attached to chains).

Hyderabadi cuisine is a blend of Mughal and Persian cuisine. Hyderabadi Biryani is an iconic dish of the region. Other native preparations include Qubani ka meetha, Double ka meetha, Phirni (a sweet vermicelli porridge eaten during the festival of Deepawali), Nahari Kulche also known as paya and Haleem (a meat dish traditionally eaten during the holy month of Ramzan), Kaddu Ki Kheer(A sweet porridge made with sweet guard), Sheer Qorma(a sweet liquidy dish cooked with vermicelli and milk), Mirchi ka saalan, Bagaare Baigan, Khatti Dal, Khichdi and Khatta, Til ki chutney, baigan ki chutney, Til ka Khatta, Aam ka Achaar, Gosht ka achaar, Peosi[a sweet prepared with egg whites and milk], Shahi Tukde, Kheema Aaloo.

Indian sweets are known for their ghee-based items. Famous sweet shops include the traditionally made Pullareddy Sweets. Widely found on street-corners are Irani café's that offer Irani chai, Irani samosa and Osmania biscuit.

The Western junkfood, Italian, Mexican and Chinese cuisine are all popular in the city along with typical Andhra and other South Indian cuisine. The city also has some of the best pubs in South Asia and is increasingly becoming a favourite destination for Trance Music DJ.

Sister Cities

Hyderabad has several sister cities.^[17]

Education and research

Indian School of Business at Hyderabad, ranked number 20 in global MBA rankings by the Financial Times of London in 2008^[19]

Salar Jung Museum

Main article: Education in Hyderabad, India

Hyderabad is an important seat of learning in India. It is surrounded by hundreds of engineering colleges.The city is home to three central universities, two deemed universities, and six state universities. Among them is the Osmania University, established in 1917, which is the seventh oldest university in India and the third oldest in South India.^[20] Important institutions for technical education such as Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, International Institute of Information Technology are located in this city. Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, a well known educational institution in the field of Agriculture is located on the outskirts of the city. Important medical institutions such as the Gandhi Medical College, Osmania Medical College and several other private medical colleges such as Deccan College of Medical Sciences are located in Hyderabad.Birla Institute of Technology and Sciencs(BITS)-Pilani has established its branch campus at Shamirpet. IIT has started off its temporary campus at Hyderabad.

The Indian School of Business, a top ranking business school which attracts students from all over the world is present at Gachibowli, Hyderabad. Hyderabad Central University, National Academy of Legal Studies & Research, Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Maulana Azad National Urdu University and English and Foreign Languages University, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Flytech Aviation Academy are other famous universities which are present in the city.

Hyderabad has various research institutes such as the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), National Geophysical Research Institute(NGRI), IRISET for railway signal engineering and ICRISAT. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) along with DRDL has research centres in Hyderabad to develop communication and radar systems and for the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). Nuclear energy sector has a strong presence with three organisations under Department of Atomic Energy (India) including the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL).

See also: List of institutions based in Hyderabad, India

Media

Main article: Media in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Prasads IMAX Theater is the largest IMAX-3D in the world.^[21]

Ravindra Bharathi, a famous center for arts and theatre in the city

Hyderabad is home to the second largest film industry in India, Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood which produces approximately 150 movies every year. Saradhi Studios, Annapurna Studios, Ramanaidu Studios, Ramakrishna Studios, Padmalaya Studios, Ramoji Film City (the largest Film Studio in the world) are some of the notable film studios in the city. The first Hyderabad International Film Festival (HIFF) was organised in 2007 by the Hyderabad Film Club and Andhra Pradesh Film Directors Association.The largest IMAX 3D Theater in the world is Prasads IMAX along with South Asia's only 4D Simulator at Hyderabad, India.AdlabsGoldspot, PVR Cinemas, Cine Planet and Talkie Town are some other multiplexes in Hyderabad. The ADLABS chain, Maducon group plans to open multi level cinemas at Ameerpet and Kukatpally and we can expect 17 more multiplexes in the near future. Ravindra Bharati located at Saifabad, is an important and well known center for theatre and performing arts in the city. Many artists from around the world perform here regularly. Lalithakala Thoranam,Shilpakala Vedika are also similar centers for arts and theatre. State-of-the-art Hyderabad International Convention Center(HICC)or simply HITEX is the first of its kind in South Asia and is now one among the world's great convention centers.

The radio industry has expanded with a number of private and government owned FM channels being introduced. The FM radio channels that broadcast in the city include AIR Vividh Bharathi FM (102.8 MHz), AIR Rainbow FM (101.9 MHz), Radio Mirchi FM (98.3 MHz), Radio City FM (91.1 MHz), Big FM (92.7 MHz), S FM (93.5 MHz) and AIR Gyan Vani FM (107.6 MHz). State-owned Doordarshan transmits two terrestrial television channels and one satellite television channel from Hyderabad. Many private regional television channels broadcast from Hyderabad, including DD-Saptagiri, ETV, Gemini, Teja, Maa TV, Maa Music, ETV Urdu, Vissa, ETV2, TV9, Zee Telugu, Gemini Music, Gemini News, NTV, TV 5, Bhakthi TV, Samskruthi, Shubhavartha TV, Sahara Samay and Sitara.

Hyderabad has three print media groups that publish several newspapers and magazines in English, Telugu and Urdu. The major Telugu dailies include the Eenadu, Saakshi, Vaartha, Andhra Jyothi, Andhra Prabha, Andhra Bhoomi, Praja Shakthi. The major English dailies are The Deccan Chronicle, Business Standard, The Hindu, The Times of India, The Indian Express and The Economic Times. Hyderbad publishes more number of Urdu dailies than any other Indian city. The major Urdu dailies are The Siasat Daily, The Munsif Daily, The Etemaad, Rehnuma-e-Deccan, Rozanama Rashtriya Sahara, and The Daily Milap.

Hyderabad is covered by a large network of optical fibre cables. The city's telephone system is serviced by four Telecom Utility companies: BSNL, Tata Indicom, Reliance and Airtel. There are seven mobile phone companies: GSM players include BSNL, Vodafone, Idea, Airtel and CDMA is offered by BSNL, Virgin Mobile, Tata Indicom and Reliance. Soon to be joining this list would be Spice Telecom.

Sports

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket stadium

G.M.C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium

Cricket and Hockey are the most popular sports in the city. Hyderabad Sultans won the inaugural Premiere Hockey League championship in 2005. The city took pride in hosting National Games and Afro-Asian Games. Hyderabad 10k Run is a marathon event conducted every year.

The earliest stadium built in the city is the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium. Formerly known as Fateh Maidan, it was, till recently, the city's only stadium that could conduct International cricket matches. The first cricket match played here was on November 19, 1955. The stadium is currently being used to conduct ICL matches. The new Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium at Uppal has a capacity of approximately 65,000 spectators and is being enhanced to have world class facilities. Hyderabad's Deccan Chargers franchise in the Indian Premier League was bought by Deccan Chronicle for USD 107 million. Notable players include Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, VVS Laxman, Herschelle Gibbs, Scott Styris, RP Singh, Shahid Afridi, Rohit Sharma and Chaminda Vaas.

The city houses the Swarnandhra Pradesh Sports Complex, the G.M.C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium for hockey and football and a sophisticated Velodrome for cycling. The city has state-of-the-art venues for Boxing, Archery and Taekwando, Shooting at Saroornagar Indoor Arena and University of Hyderabad respectively. The Aquatics Complex Stadium with a capacity of 3000 spectators hosts swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized events. Kotla Vijay Bhaskar Reddy Indoor Stadium is multi-purpose stadium with a capacity of 2500 spectators and wooden flooring with temperature control. SAAP Tennis Complex has a central court that holds 5000 spectators and has seven courts with synthetic surface. Water games like rowing, Kayaking and Canoeing are conducted at Hussain Sagar lake. The city also has five Go-Karting tracks and a Paint Ball Field. There are venues for Athletics, Basketball, Equestrian, Gymnastics, Weight-lifting with world class facilities.

The city is well known for Horse racing. The Hyderabad Race Club formerly known as the Nizam Race Club is located at Malakpet. The Hyderabad race club attracts jockeys from all over the country by conducting various derbys/events here. Deccan derby, a popular annual event is a regular feature here. The winter races also were conducted here recently.Badminton is played in various parks.

Tourist Attractions

Chowmahalla Palace

Mecca Masjid

Birla Mandir

Statue of Buddha on the Hussain Sagar Lake

NTR Gardens

Mughal gardens at Ramoji Film City

• Charminar - the major landmark in Hyderabad with four graceful minarets located in the old city. It is built as a memorial for plague victims. Charminar in most occasions is used to represent the city and the state and is hailed as a unique Deccan monument. It is in the midst of Charkaman.
• Falaknuma Palace - Built by an Italian architect through one of the Paigah nobles, Nawab Viqar al-Umra', complete in Italian marble. It's a beautiful and stunning piece of architecture with Louis XIV-style decor, a lavish Mughal ambiance, Italian marble staircases and ornate fountains. It has now been undertaken by Taj group to develop this as Heritage Hotel.
• Golconda Fort - Once abandoned by Qutub Shahis, Golconda Fort is one of the most magnificent fortress complexes in India. Seated on a hill on one side and spiraling fort on the other, it's location and internal design made it one of the strongest forts in the world.
• Chowmahalla Palace- 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.
• Salar Jung Museum - The museum houses the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world. Collections includeThe Veiled Rebecca and other huge collection of artifacts dating back to a few centuries. A mere day isn't enough to cover the whole museum.
• Taramati Baradari - It is Located near Golconda, built by a Qutb Shahi sultan. Newly added structures are the venues to many conferences. Similar structures like Premavati and Bhagmati can be seen from here.
• Mecca Masjid - a stone-built mosque, which lies immediate southwest of Charminar. Remarkable for its architecture, size and its royal splendor, this is one of the most beautiful mosques in Hyderabad. It is famous for its symmetry and the gateway bricks that are believed to be from Mecca.
• Birla Mandir - a Hindu temple made of white marble located on top of a hill overlooking the city.
• Birla Science Museum - The science centre is another beautiful structure, reflecting the advances made in science and technology. The interior décor matches the architectural exterior of the centre built over 10,000 sq ft (930 m²). The centre is host to a number of divisions such as the Planetarium, the Science Museum, and the centre for Applied Mathematics and Computer Sciences.
• Public Gardens - Located adjacent to the Lal Bahadur Shastri stadium, the gardens host the Horticulture department of Andhra Pradesh, the state museum of history and archeology and a sprawling park.
• Ravindra Bharati - The stage for all performing arts, especially for those enhancing the state and Indian cultures. Shows are held almost every evening throughout the calendar year which include musical and dance performances, drama, award ceremonies and special events of the government.
• Birla Planetarium - The Planetarium is another magnificent building with a big dome resembling that of the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur and some of the earliest government structures in New Delhi. A special attraction are the shows which unveil the mysteries of the cosmos and the origins of the universe, comets, eclipses, unidentified flying objects and the clash of titans. The latest addition is the Dinosrium, which houses a collection of dinosaur egg fossils. The highlight of the museum is a mounted Kotasaurus yamanpalliensis, the remains of a 160 million old dinosaur.
• Purani Haveli - The official residence of the Nizam.
• King Kothi Palace - The last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan lived here.
• Qutub Shahi Tombs - Home to various Tombs dedicated to Rulers of Qutub Shahi dynasty, located at Shaikpet, near Golconda Fort. These are an example of Deccan architecture with large minarets, huge domes, delicate marble designs and multiple inner passages.
• Paigah Tombs - Recently discovered these are the series of mausoleums of Paigahs who were next to Nizams.The geometrical sculptures here are nowhere found in the world.
• Lumbini Park - This is one of the popular parks in the city. The main attraction of this park was the Musical fountain. It is now replaced by the 1500 seater Laserium, the first of its kind in the state. Boat rides take you across the lake to give you a closer glimpse of the Buddha.
• Hussain Sagar - It is a man-made lake is also famous for the 19-metre tall Buddha statue on a platform island called Rock of Gibraltar in the middle of the lake, and for the Tank Bund which consists of beautiful gardens and statues of famous personalities. Boating and water sports are a regular feature here. Tall monolithic Buddha statue erected in the middle of the lake adds charm to this lake.
• Nehru Zoological Park - This zoo is the largest in India by area, houses a large variety of animals, birds, nocturnal species, aquatic and amphibian species. Located close to this is the Mir Alam Sagar, which is proposed to be converted into an Aquarium along the lines of Sentosa, Singapore. Its unique feature is the 21 in-built masonry dams which are jewel shaped.
• Botanical Gardens - These gardens are spread across a sprawling area of 130 acres (0.53 km²), housing different varieties of herbs, plants, trees etc. These gardens provide a complete visual treat to the eyes with water bodies, meadows, and rich grasslands - nature at its best. Night Safari Park is adjacent to this.
• Chilukuru Balaji Temple - It is the temple of Lord Sri Venkateshwara. Located around 23 km from Mehdipatnam.
• Necklace road - This popular boulevard lies on the other side of the lake, linking the IMAX theatre and Sanjivaiah park. This has become the-place-to-be for the Hyderabadis in the evenings. This strip provides a scenic atmosphere with lush lawns and long rows of flower beds. Eat-Street,Water Front are popular restaurants located on this strip. The latest addition to this strip is the Jala Vihar, a mini water world designed to soothe your senses.
• NTR gardens - This leisure spot is located beside the IMAX theatre. Situated on 36 acres of land adjoining the Hussain sagar, these gardens provide of entertainment and recreation to families and youth alike. It also houses a memorial of Late Shri N.T.Rama Rao, former Chief Minister. It is renowned for its creative design which includes tree-top restaurants and architecture.
• Osman Sagar, Gandipet - A man-made lake, the largest in Hyderabad. The lake is a major drinking water source to the city. Abutting the lake are lush gardens that provide an ideal ambience for a holiday.
• Himayat Sagar - It is the twin lake to Gandipet lake. It comes along the way on Outer Ring Road enroute to RGIA which is a beautiful view.
• Laad Bazaar - Also called Chudi Bazaar is on the west of Charminar, and known for its exquisite bangles, jewelry and pearls.
• Lotus Pond - A beautiful garden built around a pond situated in Jubilee Hills, said to have been designed by an Italian designer. This garden is currently maintained by the Municipal Corporation. It is also home to a few rare species of birds.
• Durgam Cheruvu - Also called The Secret Lake it is a peaceful boulevard near the bustling Madhapur.
• Shilparamam- Located opposite Cyber towers,HITEC city, it is an arts and crafts village which was conceived with an idea to create an environment for the preservation of traditional crafts such as sculpting wonders from stone, weaving in cotton, silk and gold thread, Dhaka muslin, Kondapalli toys, Bankura horses, gudda-guddis of Punjab, temple arts and a motley of Indian arts and crafts.
• Sanghi Temple - A temple dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara graces a promontory overlooking Sanghi Nagar.
• Ramoji Film City (RFC) is the world’s largest integrated film studio cum theme park, at nearly 3,000 acres (8 km²). It is also one of Asia’s most popular tourism and recreation centres. Recently, it has made its way to the Guinness Book of World Records for being the largest film studio in the world. Opened in 1996, it is about 30min drive from Hyderabad on Vijayawada Highway.
• Kasu Brahmananda Reddy Park - A sanctuary for Peacocks and Anteaters along with many other species including Monkeys and Snakes, the sanctuary is the green spot of the richest area of the city - Jubilee Hills.
• Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali Park - Located at posh locality of Vanasthalipuram, previously it is a hunting (shikari) spot for Nizams it is now a picnic spot for the city people.
• Mriganavani wildlife sanctuary - A sanctuary for deer and leopards, it is located enroute to Chilkur.

Besides these many resorts like Pragati Green Meadows, Alankrita Resorts(4* resort), Golkonda Spa cum Resort, Lahari Resorts, Dream Valley, Dhola-Ri-Dhani and recreation spots like OceanPark, TreasureIsland, SnowWorld, Runway9 etc. make Hyderabad trip a memorable one.

References

• FallingRain Map - elevation = 489m (Red dots are railways)

External links

** Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad

• Hyderabad Urban Development Authority
• Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh at the Open Directory Project
• Hyderabad under the Nizams, (1724-1948)
• Hyderabad International Airport

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