Hyderabad is a city with strong Muslim influences that can still be experienced in its culture and architecture, famously in its skyline of minarets. Renowned too for the jewellery of its old Nizam rulers, Hyderabad's pearl bazaar is a popular stop for visitors to this part of India. Pearls from all over the world find their way here because the artisans are skilled in piercing and stringing them without damaging them.

Then, Hyderabadi cuisine is much enjoyed because of its elaborate and exotic nature. The wide range of hand-woven textiles of the state is another rich tradition. The city's gypsy tribes, called 'Lambadas' and 'Banjaras' are easily recognised in the country because of their unique and colourful costumes.

At an altitude of 536 metres with the mean summer temperature going up to a maximum of 42 degrees Celsius and the minimum average temperature being around 22 degrees Hyderabad can be uncomfortably hot in some months.

But with the maximum winter temperature at about 22 and the minimum going down to around12 degrees C, it can be pleasant, even cool enough to warrant a light sweater.

Both Hyderabad and its twin city, Secunderabad grew together and have now merged. An imaginary line drawn across the Tank Bund is still used to distinguish the two cities.

The history of Hyderabad begins with the establishment of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Quli Qutb Shah seized the reins of power from the Bahamani kingdom in 1512 and established the fortress city of Golconda. Inadequacy of water, and frequent epidemics of plague and cholera persuaded Mohammad, the fifth Quli Qutb Shahi ruler to venture outward to establish the new city with the Charminar at its centre, and with four great roads fanning out in the four cardinal directions.

 

Attracted by Hyderabad's strategic location and Golconda's legendary wealth, Aurangazeb, the last of the Grand Moghuls, captured Golconda in1687 after a long siege. After this defeat the importance of Hyderabad declined and the city fell into partial ruin.

As the Moghul Empire decayed and began to disintegrate, the viceroy, Asaf Jah I proclaimed himself the Nizam and established independent rule of the Deccan. And Hyderabad once again became a major capital city, ruled by successive Nizams of the Asaf Jahi dynasty until the state was merged into the Inctian Union in 1948. In 1798, a subsidiary alliance for military and political co-operation was signed between the Nizam and the British East India Company. 

Thereafter, an area north of what is now the Hussain Sagar Lake was established as a cantonment. The area was named Secunderabad after the then Nizam, Sikander Jah.