Chowmahalla literally means "Four Palaces", and wasn't only a home to the Nizams of Hyderabad, but most importantly, this was the center of the city back in the 18th century.
Construction began in 1750, and took a hundred years to complete!
Tickets: Locals - Rs. 25 /Foreigners - Rs. 150. (I got in as a local for Rs 25)
Notice that clock on top? It's affectionately called the "Khilwat Clock", and has been ticking away for around 250 years now! An expert family of clock repairers winds the mechanical clock every week.
We sat and enjoyed ice cream under these trees while the birds cheerfully chirped in the background.
The design for all the four palaces was inspired from Mughal and Persian architectures.
The heart of the Chowmahalla Palace: Takht-e-Nishan (Royal Seat) in Durbar Hall.
Love the details!
Recently installed chandeliers made from delicate Belgian crystal.
Carriages that were used to transport royalties a long time ago.
I suppose more intimate meetings were conducted in this room here on the second floor.
The English Bracket Clock
The ladies in the house: preparing the bride for her wedding ceremony.
A great place to sit with friends or family and have tea.
Less glamorous carriages.
The enormity of the place amazes me!
The window - up close
I imagined a 'Romeo and Juliet' type of scene here.
There were a LOT of photographs of the nizams and their families within these palaces. Also on display are the weapons they owned/used, books, kitchen wares, letters, coins, important manuscripts, clothes, furniture, etc. I recommend people visiting Hyderabad to definitely visit the Chowmahalla Palace.
More beautiful pictures of the palace here.
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38 responses so far ↓
masood // June 15, 2009 at 1:58 pm |
Absolutely incredible! Thanks for the details, I myself don’t know these hidden details being a Hyderabadi.
Umm Travis // June 15, 2009 at 3:31 pm |
MA SHAA ALLAH! I want to go toooooooooooooo!
The Chowmahalla Palace | Tea Break // June 15, 2009 at 7:21 pm |
Francesca // June 16, 2009 at 12:54 am |
These pictures show that side of India that really makes me dream: that place is wonderful!
Thanks for the suggestion: I think I could be ready to leave tomorrow!
Haleem // June 16, 2009 at 5:27 am |
I guess the foreigner/local will always be by skin color!
Even when I go to the touristy parts of Bangladesh I always see this – and then pay the local rate even though I am anything but local!
The palace looks really grand.
Niyaz // June 16, 2009 at 8:25 am |
wow wonderful pictures,surprised to see its cleanliness. Thanks for presenting the hidden beauties of our country!
Guy D // June 16, 2009 at 9:31 am |
Stunning images, what amazing architecture. Thanks for sharing these with us.
Have a great week
Guy
Regina In Pictures
Serene // June 16, 2009 at 9:59 am |
Lovely picture! It makes me think of visiting India. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experienced. I just wonder do you always take the picture, why is that I dont see you in these picture? Are you a camera shy?
thoughtsunchecked // June 16, 2009 at 10:29 am |
Really beautiful…you seem to know a great many facts about the place.
lawstude // June 16, 2009 at 11:46 am |
These are beautiful shots. I would have the time of my life just exploring the place. Great Job.
amatamari // June 16, 2009 at 12:21 pm |
A series of stunning images, rich detail, beautiful!
Thank you, truly a precious gift!
magiceye // June 16, 2009 at 1:46 pm |
thank you so much for the lovely trip to chowmahalla!
twas a pleasure!
Mamapippa // June 16, 2009 at 2:48 pm |
What a beautiful place !
Ubaid // June 16, 2009 at 4:49 pm |
WOW, amazing pictures
falakk // June 16, 2009 at 4:57 pm |
I love all the photos! I wish I could take good pictures *sniff*
Love, Falak
PS. The glamorous carriages remind of wedding dholis, ha ha.
I am weird.
Alicesg // June 16, 2009 at 5:21 pm |
Wow such magnificient building and rich culture. Love the way you took photo of the doorway too.
Janie of Utah // June 16, 2009 at 6:50 pm |
Beautiful palace architecture and chandelier.
Interesting that a clock could continue to function for so long.
ladyfi // June 16, 2009 at 7:13 pm |
What intricate doors and fabulous, over the top chandeliers.
Indrani // June 16, 2009 at 7:19 pm |
I haven’t been to Hyderabad yet.
Nice shots of the place.
Specs // June 16, 2009 at 7:32 pm |
The darbar! The carriages! The clocks! The windows! Lucky you!! The place looks awesome.
seniorhiker // June 16, 2009 at 8:00 pm |
Thanks for the tour of this beautiful palace. I think it would be wonderful to see it in person.
Thanks, too, for visiting my site.
Wolynski // June 16, 2009 at 9:28 pm |
Incredible – look at all the detail… No wonder it took a 100 years to build. Absolutely gorgeous.
The Ruler // June 16, 2009 at 9:31 pm |
W-how. They’re pretty pretty. O_O
Dr Sanjay Parva // June 16, 2009 at 9:54 pm |
You have turned the place inside out and offered your visitors as if on a platter. Great work. I hope to return again to your blog. Best.
Fishing Guy // June 16, 2009 at 10:57 pm |
Nadia: When I see a place like this palace I’m in awe of construction from the 1700. It is truly without compare.
Sally in WA // June 16, 2009 at 11:21 pm |
Wonderful post and the pictures are stunning!
Gaelyn // June 17, 2009 at 12:32 am |
An amazing palace. So much detail, and huge. Great post and captures.
feeya // June 17, 2009 at 4:28 am |
Wow.It’s so pretty and artistic.Mashallah.
Abid // June 17, 2009 at 7:44 am |
Now I wanna go to India too
Too bad I don’t actually know anyone there! (except for random cousins of dadi/dada)
Sabiha // June 17, 2009 at 8:17 am |
Alhamdulillah, really really gorgeous. Thank you for sharing, I love seeing pictures of where you guys live it is so amazing.
Arija // June 17, 2009 at 9:41 am |
A really splendid and sumptuous palace with lovely garden surrounds ans superb carvings. Thank you for documenting it so well for all of us to enjoy. I loved the Rotunda with the crown on top!
Ordinary Girl // June 17, 2009 at 10:51 am |
I also want to have a palace like that!
Rajesh // June 17, 2009 at 2:06 pm |
Beautiful snaps of marvelous architecture. This is definitely in my list whenever I visit Hyderabad. Thanks for sharing.
Hajar Alwi // June 22, 2009 at 8:10 am |
Masha’Allah~! Brilliant photography!!! I love the magnificent grandeur! *well, it is a palace* Oh yeah, I can imagine the ‘Romeo and Juliet’ scene too. Things would have been amazing back in its heydays. Great to know that it is well-kept.
Serendipitouslife // June 22, 2009 at 2:39 pm |
Amazing pictures! And a beautiful palace!
And to see that its so well preserved is amazing.
How did you manage to take pic with no ppl around? If its a tourist attraction, i imagine it would be crowded during visiting hours.
MaryAnn // July 3, 2009 at 5:07 pm |
MashaAllah, finally visited your blog.
These are beautiful photos. I love the architecture, reminds of some Spanish architecture in Texas, California, and Mexico.
SubhanAllah how things can be half a world a away and be similar.
meow // July 7, 2009 at 11:45 am |
I soooooo want to see Hyderabad!!! I’ve been captivated by the idea of a Chudi Bazaar since forever!!! And after your fantastic post I want to go even more!
This November we’ll go to Delhi to see the Taj and then next year hopefully we can visit Hyderabad!
I’ve made up my mind to see all of India first. The rest of the world’s hotspots can wait!
Janit // August 4, 2009 at 3:42 pm |
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful photographs.
I have been to Chow Mohalla and I also love the place. It is so calm and cool, inspite being so near to the hustle and bustle of the Charminar. I also have a blog on Hyderabad. Please check it out and blogroll me. I am blogrolling you.