The capital of Andhra Pardesh consist of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and is famous as the former seat of the fabulously wealthy nizams of Hyderabad. Built on the banks of the river Musi, and surrounded by huge prehistoric rock formations like petrified, gray elephants, Hyderabad is a blend of the fairy tale and earthy, a pot pouri of old and new. The domed and minaretted monuments of the Qutub Shahi and Asaf Jha nobility and cheek by jowl with massive grass and concrete high-rises. Banjaran gypsies in swinging skirts and silver ornaments and black-veiled burqua- swathed women dressed in chooridars or jeans. the hilltop pleasure garden where noblemen took their ease now boasts of a brand new observatory. Like Bijapur in neighbouring Karnataka state, Hyderabad is and important centre of Islamic culture and is central India's counterpart to the Mughal splendour of the northern cities of Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur sikri.
History :
Hyderabad, India's fifth-largest city, was founded in 1590 by Muhammad Quli, the fourth of the Qutb Shahi kings. They ruled this part of the Deccan from 1512 until 1687, when the last of their line was defeated by the Mughal emperor , Aurangzeb, following nonpayment of the annual tribute to their nominal suzerain in Delhi. Before the founding of Hyderabad , the Qutb Shahi kings ruled from the forted city of Golconda, 11kmto the west. After Aurangzeb's death in 1707, Mughal control over this part of India rapidly waned and the Asaf Jahi viceroys who had been installed to look after the interests of the Mughal Empire broke away to established their own independent state. They give themselves the titles
'subadar' and
'nizam'. These new rulers, allied to the French, became embroiled in the Anglo-French rivalry for control of India during the latter half on the 18th century. When Indian independence was declare in 1947, the nizam toyed with idea of declaring, an independent state and allowed and Islamic extremist group to seize control, this led to his downfall. The Indian government, unwilling to see an independent and possibly hostile state created in the centre of the Deccan, and mindful of Hyderabad. Now the time has painted Hyderabad all over changing lifestyle and landscape. Opel Astras and Maruti Zens have shoved aside clip-clopping horse-drawn carriages. Elegantly tiled houses, giant archways and many-windowed homes no longer dot the skyline. Flyovers criss-cross busy intersections. The laid-back metropolis is now a science city. For the past 50 years, a lot of water has flown under the Musi.
Cities of Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad,
Tirupati,
Vijaywada,
Vishakhapatnam,
Warangal.
Tourist Attraction of Andhra Pradesh :-
The Charminar
The charminar Hyderabad's best known landmark was built 1591 by Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah to appease the force of evil savaging his new city with epidemic and plague. Standing in the heart of the old walled city and surround by lively bazaars, the charminar ('four tower') is a 56m high triumphal arch. The arch is notable for its elegant balconies, stucco decorations and the small mosque, Hyderabad's oldest, on the 2nd floor.
Mypad Beach
A determined sea lover will find the entire coastline of Andhra Pradesh stunningly appealing with azure sea waters gently washing the sunbathing sands and lush green vegetation providing an enchanting back drop. It is 25 km from Nellore and 130 km from Tirupati. As beaches go, this one too is pretty with the sea kissed shoreline very beckoning to all those who visit the beach.
Dwaraka Tirumala Temple
The temple was constructed the Myalavaram Zamindars between the years 1877 and 1902.This pilgrimage centre is called Dwaraka Tirumala after the great saint, "Dwaraka" who located the self manifested idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara.
How to get there :-
Air: Hyderabad is connected by air with Ahemdabad, Bhubaneshwar, Kolkotta, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam.
Rail : Hyderabad / Secunderabad are connected by rail with major cities.
Road : Hyderabad is also well-connected by National Highways. It is connected by road to Banglore(590 km), Visakhapatnam(667 km), Chennai(671 km), Goa (698) km, Mumbai (713 km).
