Capital of Telangana

Hyderabad is the capital of Telangana; it is situated on the banks of the Musi River. The City of Hyderabad is a global center for Information Technology (IT) as well as a hub for trade and commerce.

Southern India

Image source: Britannica

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Key Highlights

• Hyderabad is India's fourth-most populous city after Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore.
• Hyderabad was initially kept as an autonomous territory when India gained its independence in 1947. But in 1948, following a military battle, it became a part of the Indian Union.
• Hyderabad is one of the main hubs for the production of gems and pearls in the country, giving it the title of “city of pearls.”.
• In 2014, Telanga emerged as a new state from Andhra Pradesh, and Hyderabad was declared the capital of both states until Andhra Pradesh found its new capital, Amaravati.

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Hyderabad, the The Capital of Telangana

The capital of the southern Indian state of Telangana is Hyderabad, a city rich in history and bursting with vibrant energy.

• Hyderabad is the largest and most populated city in Telangana.
• It is situated in the center of the Telangana Plateau, on the banks of the Musi River.
• Hyderabad served as the capital of Andhra Pradesh from 1956 until 2014, when Telangana was split off from Andhra Pradesh. As a result, Hyderabad was reassigned as the capital of both states for 10 years but in 2016, Andhra Pradesh changed its capital to Amravati.
• The Capital of Telangana is a significant hub for manufacturing and research organizations like the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology and the Indian Statistical Institute.
• During the Nizam's reign, Hyderabad became a significant pearl trading and craftsmanship center. The city attracted skilled artisans from around the world, particularly from the Arabian Gulf region. These artisans moved their knowledge to Hyderabad, transforming it into a pearl processing and jewelry manufacturing hub.

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History of Hyderabad

• Hyderabad's history began when Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth Qutb Shahi dynasty monarch, built the city in 1591.
• The Qutb Shahis' age of grandeur in Hyderabad came to an end in 1687 with the Mughals' conquest of the area.
• Asaf Jah I, the viceroy of the Mughal dynasty in the Deccan, proclaimed independence in 1724 following the fall of the Mughal Empire. He established the Asaf Jahi dynasty, popularly referred to as the Nizams, who governed Hyderabad for more than 200 years.

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Hyderabad Integration in India

• Hyderabad was a Princely State with a Hindu majority but ruled by a Muslim Nizam. 

Indian Army movements during Operation Polo

Image source: Wikipedia

• After independence, the Nizam refused to merge Hyderabad with India.
• Operation Polo, a five-day military operation to annex Hyderabad in 1948, was organized under the command of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Ultimately,  the Nizam had to surrender and Hyderabad was integrated into the Union of India.

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Charminar Mosque

• Built by: Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah (1591)
• Location: Hyderabad, India
• Description: Square-shaped structure with four pillars and intricate carvings
• Construction Details: Completed in 2 years (1589–1591) & Cost Rs. 9 lakhs

Charminar Mosque

The reason behind the construction of the Charminar is still debated. Some Scholars believe it was built to celebrate the end of a plague, with the Sultan praying for its end and then building Charminar as a tribute to Allah. Some believe it was built at the spot where Sultan Quli Qutb Shah first saw his future wife, Bhagmati. According to French traveler Jean de Thévenot, Charminar was built to commemorate the start of the second Islamic millennium.

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Golconda Fort

Golconda Fort

• Originally built as a mud fort by Kakatiya rulers in 1143 (called Mankal),
• Fortified and expanded between the 14th and 17th centuries by Bahmani Sultans and the Qutb Shahi dynasty.
• Originally named Golla Konda, meaning "Shepherd's Hill" in Telugu.
• Legend suggests a shepherd boy found an idol on the hill, leading to the fort's construction.

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Top Educational Institutes in Hyderabad

Hyderabad is home to many popular educational institutes of India. Listed below are some of the best colleges in Hyderabad:

• IIT Hyderabad
• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
• BITS, Pilani
• Osmania University
• Mahindra University
• University of Hyderabad
• Woxsen University
• Symbiosis International University
• English and Foreign Languages University
• International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad
• Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University
• NALSAR University of Law
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Hyderabad
• Indian School of Business (ISB)
• NMIMS, Hyderabad
• Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI)

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Telangana: A Quick Look