1 The Char Minar
The City of Hyderabad in central India may seem an unlikely city to be the subject of a postcard related article but it is a very interesting city, steeped in history famous for its minarets and its pearl bazaar. Pearls from all over the world are said to come to Hyderabad because the artisans of the city are skilled in piercing and stringing pearls without damaging them.
The British first had a presence in the city during the 18th century and it was here that the most wonderful love story, as retold by William Dalrymple in his book ‘White Mugals’ testifies. After arriving in the city the first British Resident, Lieutenant Colonel James Kirkpatrick (resident between 1797 and 1805) fell in love with the great niece of the Diwan (or Prime Minister) Khair-Un-nissa and married her in 1800 according to Muslim law. This caused great scandal in British India and really put Hyderabad on the map.
This card shows the Char Minar, (four pillars) the symbol of Hyderabad . It was built between 1591 and 1612 by the Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah to commemorate the eradication of plague from the city. It stands 186 feet tall, a showpiece in the centre of the city. Originally it stood at the entrance to the Palace complex and today marks the entrance to the main bazaar. There is a beautiful mosque on the second floor and a large water tank in the middle.
The colourful Lad Bazaar lies on the right of Charminar, in the Old City. One of the oldest shopping centres in the city; it is an amazing mix of ancient and modern. It's shops offer an assortment of henna, bridal wear and cosmetics. But the real draw is the exquisite range of lac and glass bangles, the pride and joy of the women of Hyderabad.
2 Street Scene Hyderabad
The city was originally founded on the southern bank of the River Musi (a prime military position) five miles east of Golconda, between 1591-92 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, who named it after his wife. The streets were laid out in a grid like pattern spanned by enormous arches and lined with stone buildings providing shops at ground level with living accommodation above. Many of these original buildings still stand today. During the 16th century the city grew to accommodate the surplus population of Golconda and over time Hydreabad expanded north across the bank of the river.
This card shows a view looking across the main street in the Old Town to the Char Minar and the Mecca Masjid to the right (built with single slabs of granite as well as a few bricks brought from Mecca which were implanted in the walls of its main arch, giving the mosque its name). There are about 450 shops flanking either side of the Char Minar with around 2500 craftsmen many of whom weave dazzling sets of Hyderabadi bangles.
3 Falaknama Castle
This card shows the outside of the Falaknama Castle or Palace – originally a noblemans house built over a period of seven years in a mixture of styles by an Italian architect. It was completed in 1873 and was subsequently given to the Nizam as a gift. It stands on top of a 200 ft high hill and is laid out in the shape of a scorpion. There are 220 lavishly decorated rooms and 22 spacious halls. The palace has some of the finest treasures collected by the Nizam including paintings, statues, furniture, manuscripts and books as well as one of the largest electrical switchboards in India. The ballroom contains a two-ton manually operated organ said to be the only one of its kind in the world.
4 The Residency
This card shows the British Residency built by the Resident Lieutenant Colonel James Kirkpatrick between 1797 and 1805. It lies just over the river from the old city. The building is a vast palatial villa within a massive fortified garden. Today, despite falling into ruin, it houses the Osmania Women’s College. It is now recognised as one of the most important colonial buildings in India and has recently been put on the World Monument Funds list of 100 most endangered buildings.
5 H.H. The Nizam
This card shows the 6th Nizzam Mahboob Ali Khan, posing with three tigers presumably shot by him, the card was sent to the UK in 1912, the writer laments that there are no tigers in Poona but he hopes to return to Kanwar where he hopes to shoot one..
6 Hossein Sagar Lake Canal
The Hossain Sagar Lake Canal is a large lake in the middle of the city and was constructed in 1562 A.D. The Tank Bund links the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Toady there is a broad road along its perimeter, which is lined with lawns and 33 statues of famous personalities of the State.
7 Golconda Tombs
This card shows the cluster of magnificent tombs erected in memory of the departed kings of Golconda, they lie twelve kilometres from Hyderabad They were built in a unique architectural style which is a mixture of Persian, Pathan and Hindu forms out of grey granite, embellished with stucco ornamentation. Each tomb stands on a wide quadrangular terrace approached on all sides by flights of steps. Amonst the tombs are those of the six Qutb Shahi Kings but the most spendid is the tomb of the fifth king of the Qutb Shahi dynasty and founder of Hyderabad - Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah. It is 42.5 metres high with a large dome and 28 open arches; his tomb is one of the largest and most imposing of monuments and can be seen in the centre of the card.
8 Trimulgherry Police Station
Trimulgherry Fort was built in the cantonment of Secunderabad and was completed in 1867. Its outer walls were surrounded by a moat, almost three miles in circumference. The fort once had barracks, arsenals, stables, mews, mess houses, and military offices inside. The Army still has a substantial presence in Secunderabad toady and Winston Churchill was posted here during the 1880s as a subaltern. This card shows the Police Station within the Fort with the native policemen lined up for the photographer.
9 Commander in Chief Hyderabad (Deccan)
This card shows the Commander in Chief Hyderabad (Deccan) sitting on his horse. In 1902 Kitchener became Commander-in-Chief India and this could well be him posing for the camera.
10 Nizam von Hyderabad
This early French card shows the 6th Nizzam Mahboob Ali Khan a ‘Souvenir of East Indies’ (1869-1911). The card itself was posted in 1909.
11 The Queen Empress
The Queen Empress as shown in this Tuck series shows Her Most Gracious Majesty Victoria Mary, Consort to King George V, who was the emperor of India. The card was published to celebrate the Coronation Durbar in Delhi December 12th 1911. It shows the crown, set entirely with diamonds, and was especially made for the occasion. It originally contained the famous Koh-I-Noor diamond (which is now set in the Queen Mother’s crown) . This famous diamond was originally found at Golconda Fort on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The Fort was founded originally in the 13th century and after renovations during the following century it was fortified with granite walls and ramparts. The fortress city within the walls was famous for the diamond trade and the Koh-i-noor diamond is said to have come from here. Since its arrival in England the Consort has only ever worn it.
by Liz Mckendrick
|
No comments:
Post a Comment