Hyderabad is the capital of one of the most techno savvy state in India, Andhra Pradesh. This city is also called the city of pearls because of the major dealing of pearls that is done from this part of the state. There is also a love story that is related to the founding of the city of Hyderabad. The story goes something like this that once there was a young prince, Muhammad Quli, who fell in love with a small time maiden from Chichlam village across the river Musi. Ibrahim Qutb Shah, father of Muhammad Quli, built a bridge on the river so that the crown prince did not endanger his life. When Muhammad Quli ascended the throne, he built a grand structure, the Charminar, at the place where village once stood. The city was then called Bhagnagar to appease his beloved, Bhagmati. Later on it was called Hyderabad. Bhagnagar means city of good fortune.

Hyderabad was modeled after the Isfaan, that is in Iran and was built under the supervision of the prime minister of Muhammad Quli, Mir Momin. Mir Momin tried to create a replica of the Paradise to suit Muhammad Quli's status as the greatest of the Qutb Shahi rulers. The city was completed in 1592. The French traveler, Tavernier when visited India in 1652, compared Hyderabad to Orleans and in 1672, Abbe Carr was much impressed by the city as the center of all trade in the East.Hyderabad is now turning itself into a more commercially aggressive city in India. City of Hyderabad has been hosting some of the major trade shows and technology fairs in India for the past couple of years.


Place to See
Char Minar
The principle landmark of Hyderabad is the Charminar (four towers), the massive arch built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in 1591 to commemorate the end of a devastating epidemic of the plague. There is a small mosque on the second floor, which is the oldest in Hyderabad. In the south-east corner is a small Hindu shrine honoring Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. Each evening, the arch is illuminated and is a sight worth seeing.

Salar Jung Museum
One of Hyderabad's prime attractions is the Salar Jung Museum, the world's largest collection by a single individual, Sir Yusaf Ali Salar Jung III. The 36 rooms, house around 35,000 exhibits from all over the world including sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, unusual collections of jade, marble statues, rare manuscripts, Persian miniature paintings, Chinese porcelain and other objects d'art. The collected items in the museum could be far better classified because a lot of the really good pieces of art need to be hunted for. Whatever the inevitable drawbacks of a one man collection, a must visit. The museum is closed Fridays.

Mecca Masjid
One of the largest mosques in the world, the Mecca Masjid is said to accommodate upto 10,000 worshippers. The foundation of the mosque was laid during the reign of Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in 1614, but was completed only in 1687, when the Golconda Kingdom was annexed by Emperor Aurangzeb.

Birla Mandir
You can visit this modern enchanting temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara on your tour to Hyderabad. The Birla Mandir stands in all its grandeur on the hilltop of Kalapahad. The intricately carved, tiered tower at the base is typical of the southern Indian shrines while the smooth dome at the top is in the north Indian Rajasthani style. Made of pure white marble from Rajasthan, the Birla Mandir overlooks the serene and placid waters of the Hussain Sagar Lake. The Birla Mandir presents a colorful spectacular sight when illuminated at night.

Gandipet
Gandipet, located at a distance of about 20 kms west on your tour to Hyderabad city. Mir Osman Ali Khan formed this water body as a result of damming of the river Moosi in 1920. Anyone visiting Gandipet is pleased to see a vast stretch of placid water that shimmer like gold with the rays of the morning sun.


How to Reach
Air : Hyderabad has its own airport, so travelling air to Hyderabad is not a problem.

Train : The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderbad are connected to all the major cities of India.

Road : Hyderabad lies on National Highway No. 7 and 9, hence is connected by the rest of the country.