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Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the capital city of the state of Andhra Pradesh of South India. Located on the Deccan Plateau, Hyderabad is the fifth largest city of India. The 400 year old city is located on the banks of the River Musi.

Hyderabad was founded by Muhammad Quli Qutab Shah, the fifth sovereign of the Qutab Shahi dynasty, in the year 1591. Initially, Golconda was the capital of the Qutab Shahi dynasty, who ruled over Deccan during the period 1512 - 1687.

The name Hyderabad literally means 'city of Hyder' since it was named after Queen Hyder Mahal, wife of King Qutab Shah. With the help of Iranian architects, Hyderabad was erected in a grid format. The city was modeled on the city of Isfahan of Iran. With the construction of Hyderabad city, it became the capital city of Qutb Shahi rulers.

The cultural facet of Hyderabad is distinctly different from the Telugu culture of the rest of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad has a rich Hyderabadi culture of its own, a blend of Persian and Telugu cultures, which flourished under the reign of the Qutab Shahis.

Hyderabad is also known as the 'City of Nizams' since it was ruled for a long time by the Nizams. The Nizams of Hyderabad were famous as the wealthiest royals in the history of India.

Today, Hyderabad is one of the leading centres of information technology. The emerging Biotech and IT industries have given the city a global platform. The thriving tourism and IT industries have brought Marriott, Novotel and Taj, the giants in the hospitality industry, to this metropolis.

Tourists who visit Hyderabad can witness the blend of ancestral heritage and modern technology. The deep rooted cultural history of Hyderabad is evident from its monuments, mosques, temples, varied art forms and crafts. The monuments, minarets and mosques of Hyderabad with its impressive architectural style attract visitors.

Charminar, Jama Masjid, Golconda Fort, Salarjung Museum, Osmania University, Paigah Tombs, Qutub Shahi Tombs, Raymond Tomb, Birla Mandir, Hussain Sagar, Ramoji Film City, etc. are some of the popular attractions of the city of Hyderabad.

The pulsating nightlife of Hyderabad is also a major tourist attraction. The bylanes of the Charminar and the authentic Hyderabadi and Andhra cuisine has made Hyderabad a haven for shopaholics and foodies. The best time to visit Hyderabad is October to March.

During this time, a lot of events are hosted in Hyderabad. Some of the events that the tourists can include in their trip to Hyderabad during January are the Annual Music & Dance Festival, Kite Festival of Hyderabad and Deccan Festival Hyderabad.

Hyderabad can be reached from destinations around the country by air, rail and road. There are two International Airports in Hyderabad, Hyderabad International Airport; Rajiv Gandhi International Terminal and a domestic terminal; N T Rama Rao Domestic Terminal, connected with almost all major cities of India and the world.

Secunderabad and Nampalli Railway stations are well connected to all major cities.

The city is also well connected by buses run by the state government and other private operators to regions within the state as well as neighbouring states.