In And Around Chowmahalla Palace: Uncover Legacy Of Hyderabad's Nizams

If you are in the Charminar neighbourhood, don’t forget to check out the grandeur of Chowmahalla Palace, the official residence of the Nizams during their rule. It's also one of the must-visit places if you're traveling to Hyderabad. Inspired by the Shah of Iran’s palace in Tehran, Chowmahalla (which means four palaces) is said to have assimilated the architectural styles of Persia, Rajasthan, Europe, and Indo-Saracenic. Although all the four palaces aren’t open for public viewing, we went walking along courtyards flanked by lush greenery and ornate fountains and the official darbar that holds many iconic stories.

Situated in the Old City of Hyderabad, Chowmahalla is thronged by hundreds of visitors every day. The sprawling gardens are filled with curious visitors exploring the charm of the palace in bits. The four palaces — Tahniyat Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Aftab Mahal, and Afzal Mahal are architected in different colour patterns and significance. It’s rather unfortunate that they’re not open for visitors, but if you’re the curious kind, we recommend you peep in through the grills for a quick glimpse. The pristine corridors of the palace lead you to halls and museums that are dotted with paintings, royal portraits, pictures in sepia and black and white. The museums full of artefacts, weapons, outfits, crockery, and photographs are usually open for visitors. 

We urge you to check the Khilwat Clock, a clock tower that is over 100 years old. While you’re at it, we suggest you visit the garage in the premises to see the 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost (owned by the royal family) which apparently remains as shiny and glossy and in great shape as it was when it was brought in. 

An obvious must-visit if you haven't already, Charminar is just a stone's throw away. It's one of the symbols of Hyderabad's culture and there's more to do there than just clicking pictures around it. You can climb to the top [if it is allowed on that day] for a breathtaking view of the cityscape, check out the bustling shopping markets and don't forget to gorge on delicious Hyderabadi street food like kebabs and have a cuppa of hot Irani Chai with Osmania Biscuit and Bun Maska. 

Speaking of bustling markets, one place in particular is Laad Bazar. It's famous for glistering glass bangles embellished with stones and comes in every color imaginable. Beyond bangles, you can also shop for bridal wear, desi festive wear, pearls and perfumes. BTW, Hyderabad is known for pearl jewellery and you can find the best pieces there. 

Neighboring Charminar and Laad Bazar is this museum that houses Nizami-era artifacts and more. It is one of India's largest and most diverse museums and has rare manuscripts, weaponry, ceramics, and sculptures from around the world. One of the main attractions includes Veiled Rebecca, a marble statue with intricate detailing that seems too good to be true and the Musical Clock that brings in large crowds of people every hour who watch it in action. It's loud and an amazing feat of engineering  that stood the test of time. 

Quirky and completely out of the box, the Sudha Car Museum has some bizarre car designs that you would have never thought of. We're talking about cars shaped like handbags, footballs and even a camera. It's a fun place that combines art and machinery, perfect for car enthusiasts and children who love cars. 

Speaking of grand halls, Golkonda Fort also has some impressive gateways and  tall, stunning structures that overlook the city. Apart from the architecture, this fort is famous for its acoustic system where a cap at the entrance can be heard clearly on the highest point of the fort. This, plus the sound and light show in the evening brings the history back to the fort and fills it with life that it once had. 

The palace can also make your childhood dreams come — if you’ve ever dreamt of wearing royal outfits, you can make it happen. At Chowmahalla, you can dress up in the outfits of the erstwhile Nizam and get portraits taken by the palace’s resident photographer.

End your exploration at the palace’s canteen to devour the famous onion samosa at INR 15 a plate.

The Charminar Station is the nearest metro station to Chowmahalla Palace. This will cover half way of your journey and the rest is via cab/auto. The nearest bus stop, however, is Charminar bus stop which is 10-mins away from Chowmahalla Palace. 

Entry Ticket: INR 100 for adults [Indian citizens], INR 40 for children below 10 years, and INR 400 for foreign tourists. Photography charges are INR 50. 

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM, all days except Friday