Hyderabad's Chowmahalla refers to four palaces and its construction initiated in the year 1750 by Nizam Salabhat Jung but it was Nizam Afzar-ud-Dawla Bahadur who saw that the palace was completed between the years 1857 and 1869.
Palace covered 45 acres from Laad Bazaar on the north to Aspan Chowk Road which is on the south. The Chowmohalla complex is a replica of Shah’s Palace in Teheran, Iran. Presently the palace consists of two courtyards with graceful palaces, the grand Durbar Hall or the Khilwat. Gardens and fountains add to the elegance
Southern Courtyard is the oldest part of the complex. It comprises of four graceful palaces Tahniyat Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Afzal Mahal, and Aftab Mahal.
Northern Courtyard has been restored and is open to the public. The main attraction of this area is the Bara Imam, which is a long corridor. It has rooms on the east wing, which once served as the administrative wing. Another stunning construction is the Clock Tower. It houses the Khilwat Clock which still works perfectly.
History
1751-1769
The Chowmahalla Palace is located in the vibrant and
bustling lanes of Motigalli, Hyderabad. Sheltered from the din of the great
city it loves and serves, the Chowmahalla Palace is a sanctuary for the eyes
and the soul.
In the modern day, it’s one of the rare spaces where for
however briefly, it’s possible to stay longer than you should. Move through the
sprawling lawns and the marvellous structures at your own pace, take a gulp of
air sanctified by time, allow yourself to be bewitched by the splendours of the
lifestyles and achievements of the Nizams of Hyderabad.
Construction of the Chowmahalla Palace started during the
reign of Nawab Salabath Jung, the third son of Asaf jah I around 1751 AD. When
Nizam Ali Khan Asaf Jah II shifted the ruling capital from Aurangabad, in what
is now Maharashtra, to Hyderabad. in 1663 He added many Mahals during his
reign.
Construction of the Chowmahalla Palace started during the
reign of Nawab Salabath Jung, the third son of Asaf jah I around 1751 AD. When
Nizam Ali Khan Asaf Jah II shifted the ruling capital from Aurangabad, in what
is now Maharashtra, to Hyderabad. in 1663 He added many Mahals during his
reign.
1769-1912
The Chowmahalla (four palaces) stand symmetrically opposite
to each other, around a large cistern of water, forming a protective enclave of
grandeur and historic connection. The buildings were functional as a
combination of living quarters for the royal families, zenanas for the women,
grand halls for regular public audiences and other administrative buildings.
Successive Nizams expanded and renovated the Chau Mahalla palaces, introducing new buildings to the area.
Originally, the total area of
the complex was 45 acres. Over time, it has become a compact 12 acres,
comprising of the new Khilwat Mubarak, the four palaces – Afzal Mahal, Aftab
Mahal, Mehtab Mahal and Tahniyat Mahal, a grand Clock Tower, a Buggy Khaana
which stores the splendid vehicles used by the Nizams, and an assortment of
other buildings and heritage structures.
1912
Fascinated by Persian architecture, the new Khilwat Mubarak was commissioned by HEH Mir Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII in 1912 and completed in 1916.
Today, the Chowmahalla Palace stands as a testament to the possibilities of a strong connection to the past and an even stronger sense of responsibility for the present and the future.
With the unwavering support of Princess Esra Birgen Jah, the Palace is now a restored cultural oasis in the heart of Hyderabad. It is the state’s only Palace to have been decorated with UNESCO’s 2010 Award of Merit, in addition to being awarded the prestigious INTACH Heritage Award twice.
Napier cars of VI Nizam Mir Mahboob Ali Khan on display at Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad.
The Napier cars were earlier showcased at the Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ Concours D’elegance 2013, a vintage car exhibition, held in Mumbai.
With five such cars, the Nizam of Hyderabad was the single largest owner of Napier cars in India.
The seating of the car is arranged in such a way that the occupants faced the Nizam, who took a central seat in the car.
Napier cars of the Nizam are being moved during a display at Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad
The Nizams – a family of great rulers, visionaries, and
patrons of arts, architecture, and science
The princely state of Hyderabad was ruled by the Asaf Jahi
dynasty, who trace their lineage to Central Asia. Their seat of power was
shifted to Chowmahalla Palace in the mid-18th century. The dynasty was in power
from 31st july,1724 – 17th sept, 1948. When the state of Hyderabad (once the
largest in India) was merged into the Indian Union, it was later divided along
linguistic lines into Andhra Pradesh (now split into AP & Telangana),
Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Being the multi-disciplinary visionaries the Nizams were; over the last 250 years and counting, they built forts, palaces, lakes, hospitals, and educational institutions of all levels. Thus, Hyderabad was always the foremost city of its time.
The History
The forebears of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty belonged to the
Quraish, an Arab tribe from Samarkhand in the Kingdom of Bukhara, Central Asia.
Origins of the dynasty can be traced back to Khalifa Abu Baker Siddiqui, the
first Caliph of Islam.
Shaikh Shahabuddin Sahrawardy was a descendant of Abu
Baker Siddiqui, and belonged to the southern provinces of Persia. A renowned
saint of the 13th century CE, he was celebrated for his work on Islamic
philosophy.
Three centuries later in 1655, his lineal descendant,
Nawab Khaja Mohammed Abid, travelled to India. He was received with distinction
at the Mughal emperor Shahjahan’s court, where he rose rapidly in the ranks to
a high position. In 1660, he was made a Minister, and six years later, the
Silledar of Ajmer.
In 1674, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb conferred upon
him the title of Quilich Khan. As Commander of Aurangzeb’s army, he was
actively involved in the siege of Golconda in 1687, where he was fatally
injured.
He was succeeded in all honours by his son Mir
Shahabuddin Ghaziuddin Khan Feroz Jung. A gallant warrior, Mir Shahabuddin Khan
fought the Marathas in 1682, for which the title, Ghaziuddin Khan Bahadur was
bestowed upon him, followed by the title Feroze Jung in 1683.
In 1705, he was appointed Subedar of Berar. During the
reign of Bahadur Shah, in 1707, he was made the Subedar of Gujarat and the
Sipah Salar (Commander-in-Chief) of Malwa.
He was married to Begum Saidunnisa, the daughter of Shahjahan’s Prime Minister, by whom he had a son – Mir Qamaruddin, who would become the first Nizam of the Deccan.
The Family Tree
HH Nizam ul Mulk Asaf Jah I
Nawab Mir Qamaruddin Khan Bahadur (1724 – 1748)
↓
Nawab Mir Ahmed Khan Bahadur Nasir Jung (1748 –
1750)**
↓
Nawab Mir Hidayat Mohiuddin Khan Bahadur Muzaffar Jung
(1750 – 1751)**
↓
Nawab Mir Mohammed Khan Bahadur, Salabat Jung (1751 –
1762)**
↓
HH Asaf Jah II
Nawab Mir Nizam Ali Khan Bahadur (1762 – 1803)
↓
HH Asaf Jah III
Nawab Mir Akbar Ali Khan Bahadur, Sikander Jah (1803 –
1829)
↓
HH Asaf Jah IV
Nawab Mir Farkhunda Ali Khan Bahadur, Nasir ud-Daula
(1829 – 1857)
↓
HH Asaf Jah V
Mir Tahniyat Ali Khan Bahadur, Afzal ud-Daula (1857 –
1869)
↓
HH Asaf Jah VI
Nawab Mir Mahbub Ali Khan Bahadur (1869 – 1911)
↓
HEH Asaf Jah VII
Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur (1911 – 1967)
↓
General HH Azam Jah, Walashan Nawab Mir Himayat Ali
Khan Bahadur
↓
HEH Asaf Jah VIII
Nawab Mir Barakat Ali Khan Walasha Mukarram Jah
Bahadur*** ( 1933 – 2023 )
↓
Walashan Mir Azmat Ali Khan, Azmet Jah Bahadur (
Born-1960 )
( ** Not recognized historically as Nizams by the
Mughal Empire
*** The Seventh Nizam chose his grandson as his successor )
HH Nizam Ul Mulk
Born 20 August 1671 Agra,Mughal India
Died 1 June 1748 (age 76) Burhanpur
Reign 31 July 1724 – 1 June 1748 ‘
The star of destiny shines on the forehead of your son,’ proclaimed Emperor Aurangzeb to the proud grand-father, and chose the name Mir Qamaruddin Khan for the future Nizam.
Nizam ul Mulk Asaf Jah I laid the foundation of the Hyderabad State, and his vast kingdom eventually extended over the entirety of the Indian peninsula, from the river Tapti in Central India to the frontiers of Karnataka in the South.
He remained a loyal ruler
with great integrity by always acknowledging the supremacy of the Mughal throne
in Delhi. A wise administrator, he fulfilled his creative calling by penning
countless poems in Persian and Turkish, under the names ‘Shakir’ and ‘Asif’.
HH Nizam Ali Khan,
Born 7 March 1734 Hyderabad State, Mughal India
(now in India)
Died 6 August 1803 (aged 69) Chowmahalla Palace,
Hyderabad, Hyderabad State, Mughal India (now in Telangana, India)
Reign 8 July 1762 – 6 August 1803
Nawab Mir Nizam Ali Khan Bahadur, the fourth son of Nizam ul Mulk Asaf Jah I, assumed the subedari of the Deccan at 28, and ruled for the next 42 years.
He brought about a turning point in the rule of the Asaf Jahi dynasty by shifting the State capital from Aurangabad to Hyderabad, in 1763. He restored the splendour of the city, which was dulled down after the fall of the Qutub Shahi rulers.
Granting permission to Captain James
Kirkpatrick to a Residency, he helped introduce grand European design elements
to the architecture of the city. He was vital in shielding the Nizams from
internal and external forces and streamlining the administration.
HH Sikander Jah,
Born 11 November 1768 Chowmahalla Palace
(Khilwat), Hyderabad, Hyderabad State (now in Telangana, India)
Died 21 May 1829 (aged 61) Hyderabad, Hyderabad
State (now in Telangana, India)
Reign 6 August 1803— 21 May 1829
Mir Akbar Ali Khan Sikander Jah was born in 1768, in Hyderabad, inheriting a prosperous state in 1803.
His succession was ratified by the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and his father’s titles were conferred upon him as well.
While the third Nizam maintained cordial ties with the British, he
successfully recovered the territories between Ajanta and the river Godavari,
including the mineral-rich region of Berar. In 1806, Secunderabad was mapped
out and named (after Sikander Jah) to station 5000 troops of the British
Garrison, later growing to be the largest British cantonment in India. Locals
started moving there, thus creating the ‘twin city’ of Secunderabad.
HH Nasir-ud-Daulah,
Born Mir Farqunda Ali Khan Siddiqi 25 April 1794
Bidar
Died 16 May 1857 (aged 63)
Reign 24 May 1829, at Chowmahalla Palace – 16 May
1857
Nawab Mir Farkhunda Ali Khan Bahadur, commonly known as Nasir ud-Daula, inherited a troubled state in 1829. Multiple natural calamities and mounting debts forced him to cede Berar and other border districts to the British.
With the guidance of Prime Ministers Siraj ul Mulk and Mir Turab Ali Khan Salar Jung I, the Nizam implemented a modern and just system of revenue administration. He steered the State through a critical time, bringing about civic prosperity with new schools, commercial centres, churches and bridges. In 1856, Hyderabad became the first princely State to ban the practice of Sati.
HH Afzal-ud-Daulah,
Asaf Jah V
Born 11 October 1827 Gufran Manzil, Hyderabad
State, British India
Died 26 February 1869 (aged 41) Hyderabad,
Hyderabad State, British India
Reign 16 May 1857 – 26 February 1869
Mir Tahniyat Ali Khan Bahadur, Afzal ud-Daula, was born in Hyderabad in 1827 and inherited the throne in 1857. Despite the turbulence of the time, the fifth Nizam’s rule was a period of steady economic development, when the revenue and judicial systems were re-organized, and the railways, the telegraph and postal systems were introduced.
His generosity
spread to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, where the Nizam build houses and
travel inns, known as Rubbaths, to provide free accommodation for pilgrims from
the Hyderabad Dominion.
HH Mahboob Ali Khan,
Asaf Jah VI
Born 17 August 1866 Purani Haveli, Hyderabad,
Hyderabad State, British Indian Empire (now in Telangana State, India)
Died 29 August 1911 (aged 45)
Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad, Hyderabad State, British Indian Empire (now in
Telangana State, India)
Reign 26 February 1869 – 29 August 1911
Nawab Mir Mahbub Ali Khan Bahadur was the youngest Asaf Jah ruler when installed on the masnad at the tender age of 2 years and 7 months by his co-regents, Sir Salar Jung I and Shams-ul-Umara III ( Amir- e- Paigah ).
He assumed sovereign rights in 1884 at the age of 18, and issued a generous farman to his 10 million subjects – ‘..nothing will afford me greater pleasure than to see my people living in peace and prosperity, engaged in the development of resources of wealth and in the acquisition of knowledge and cultivation of the arts and sciences.”
Living up to his name, the sixth Nizam opened up his Palaces as shelters for Hyderabad after the catastrophic floods left a quarter of the city’s population homeless. He ensured the kitchens were working around the clock to feed the afflicted, and contributed generously to the relief fund.
Hyderabad prospered greatly during his reign. The Nizam propounded good primary schools and education for women. Medical training and research achieved high standards of excellence, and chloroform was confirmed to be a safe anaesthetic agent at the Afzalgunj Hospital.
Railways were developed;
and new irrigation works, cotton mills, silk factories, oil and flour mills
were established at Hyderabad, Gulbarga and Aurangabad.
HEH Mir Osman Ali Khan,
Asaf Jah VII
Born 5 April 1886[3] or 6 April 1886
Purani Haveli, Hyderabad, Hyderabad State, British Indian Empire
(now in Telangana, India)
Died 24 February 1967 (age 80) King Kothi Palace,
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India (now in Telangana, India)
Reign 29 August 1911 – 17 September 1948 Titular:
17 September 1948 – 24 February 1967
Nawab HEH Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur was known to be a wise, generous and skilled ruler. Installed at the Chowmahalla Palace itself, HEH Mir Osman Ali Khan gave away incredible wealth in his lifetime, irrespective of superficial demarcations.
The list of his beneficiaries included the Aligarh Muslim University, Benaras Hindu University, Shantiniketan, Shivaji Vidyapeeth, the Bhandarkar Institute, Lady Harding Medical College, the Red Cross, the Golden Temple at Amritsar; along with his last 14,000 acres of land to Acharya Vinobha Bhave for the Bhoodan movement. The seventh Nizam declared, “In every way, I will do my best to do good to my people and my state.”
The manifest policy of the state was to improve administration, develop natural resources, establish cultural institutions and improve the civilian condition. A true symbol of independence– Hyderabad was the only state in British India that coined its own money, had its postal system, and printed its stamps. The Nizam had his own private army of 50,000 men.
The Nizam was to become the most decorated Indian ruler and the highest in the complicated hierarchy established by the British. For his services during World War I, the titles ‘Knight Grand Commander of the Star of India’ and ‘Knight Grand Cross of the British Empire’ were conferred on HEH Mir Osman Ali Khan.
King George V elevated the Nizam’s title from His Highness to His Exalted
Highness, an exclusive title among the Princes of India. A prolific poet and
thinker, his words have been held to heart while creating this website.
HEH Mukarram Jah,
HEH Nawab Mir Barakat Ali Khan Walasha Mukarram Jah Bahadur was born in Nice, France in 1933, and is the last crowned Asaf Jah.
Chosen to be the successor by his grandfather Mir Osman Ali Khan, the eighth Nizam received the best possible education while in India; at Madrasah -e- alia, for a year at Jagirdas College (currently known as the Hyderabad Public school), followed by the Doon School, and later was sent to England where he completed his schooling from Harrow.
He went to the Cambridge University from where he proceeded to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, England in the 1940s. There, he finished his schooling and joined the Sandhurst Military Academy for training; after which, he started learning road & bridge engineering, and Mechanical engineering in the Royal Territorial Engineering Corps. After coming back to India, he founded the Mukarram Jah Trust for Education and Learning in 1971.
Among his contributions are the foundation of The Mukarram Jah School, The Princess Esra Hospital, the complete restoration of the Chowmahalla Palace, colleges, charitable institutions, religious endorsements, and vocational training centers.
It was his initiative to create
a forest on a hilly terrain in the heart of Hyderabad city – The Chiraan
Palace, which is now known as KBR National Park.
Walashan Mir Azmat Ali Khan, Azmet Jah Bahadur ( Born-1960 )
Mir Mohammed Azmat Ali Khan Azmet Jah, the eldest son of the titular eighth Nizam of Hyderabad, Prince Mukarram Jah, was anointed the ninth Nizam of the House of Asaf Jahi Dynasty on Friday.
A declaration was issued by the office of Azmet Jah Bahadur. It stated, “In terms of the desire and the decree made by Nawab Mir Barkat Ali Khan Walashan Mukarram Jah Bahadur H.E.H the VIII Nizam of Hyderabad during his lifetime anointing his eldest son Mir Mohammed Azmat Ali Khan Azmet Jah as his successor in title and to accede his father as the IX the head of Asaf Jahi Dynasty for all symbolic, ceremonial, titular and ancillary purposes.”
But, since the Indian government abolished titles in 1971, Azmet Jah will not have the title of Nizam IX. In addition to his plethora of responsibilities, he is likely to take over Nizam Trusts at his father's request.
Jah is also a filmmaker, professional photographer, and cinematographer. He went to school in London and received his degree in California. As part of his work, he has also collaborated with a number of high profile personalities, like Steven Spielberg and Richard Attenborough, according to a historian associated with Deccan Heritage Trust.
Azmet Jah is the child of Mukarram Jah's first wife, Princess Esra, and was named heir apparent after his birth by the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, who was still alive.
Mukarram Jah passed away in Istanbul and was buried earlier this week at the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad. Following the conclusion of his father's mourning period in February, Azmet Jah will be formally installed as the new Nizam at a solemn coronation at Chowmahalla Palace.
The legacy of the Nizam of Hyderabad ended with the passing of Mir Mukkaram Jah. He was named the successor to Mir Osman Ali Khan on June 14, 1954. In 1967, he was crowned at Chowmahalla Palace. Up until 1971, he was referred to as the Prince of Hyderabad. He held the title of India's richest person up until the 1980s.
Opposition
Some members of the Nizam’s family is opposing the ‘declaration’ on the anointment of Mir Mohammed Azmat Ali Khan Azmet Jah as the IX head, IX titular Nizam, of the Asaf Jahi dynasty “as per the desire and the decree” made by late Nawab Mir Barket Ali Khan Walashan Mukarram Jah Bahadur, the titular VIII Nizam, during his lifetime.
“Is there any legacy left by Mukarram Jah for his eldest son Azmet Jah to self-proclaim as Nizam IX,” Nawab Najaf Ali Khan, one of the grandsons of the VII and last Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan and a cousin of late Mukarram Jah, questions.
The Bara Imam and the Shishe-Alat were built in a later-Mughal style, ‘an Oriental version of Indo-Saracenic arches and Mughal towers and pre-dominated turrets.’ – The Royal Palaces of the Nizams, Dr. M.A. Nayeem
What is now known as Roshan Bangla was once the birthplace of the 6th Nizam. A little-known story goes that it was after his birth that a new palace was built on the site, and named after his beautiful mother, Roshan Begum.
Back in those days, the entrance for visitors was the Shahi Julu Khana gateway. A smooth walkway led the way to Khilwat from the entrance. However, this was the second entry point. The first point is a gateway called the Shahi Julu Khana, near the area of Laad Bazaar, a popular shopping destination near Charminar.
An unidentified Lord had once visited the Nizam at Chowmahalla, making his way through the gullies of Charminar. Citizens of the area began to call the lane he walked through as Lord’s Bazaar, and the name has been turned and twisted around for decades to now make Laad Bazaar.
For distinguished Viceroys and other dignitaries, there existed a separate entrance which led directly to Khilwat Mubarak. No one, not even esteemed guests, were granted access to the entire palace. The privacy of the residents of the palace were of primary importance, and the Nizams ensured this by creating pathways which would shield the visitor’s view from private spaces.
The previous darbar hall at the Chowmahalla Complex was used with great care during the rule of Asaf Jah II to that of Asaf Jah VI. Mir Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII used the darbar hall for a years before deciding to build a grand new one. He commissioned the new darbar hall in August 1912, and the construction was completed in 1916.
Greatly inspired by Persian architecture, the Khilwat
Mubarak was designed with elements of the royal palaces of Tehran, and many
other places. The elements came together in a new light at Khilwat, blending
Turkish, Iranian, Qutb Shahi and Mughal influences and styles. The
double-height darbar hall is surrounded by open verandahs on higher levels to
serve as viewing galleries.
The darbar hall of the Khilwat has a rich Turko-Iranian
setting. A Mughal garden spreads out in front, surrounded by tall palm trees.
Fountains gush in their midst. White marble steps lead up to the hall through
Mughal-style cusped arches. Past the three rows of pillars, the marble hall
stands enclosed on three sides and open on one. Spacious galleries were
reserved for the ladies of the court to watch the court ceremonies. From the
ceiling hangs glass chandeliers, shimmering with ornate floral designs, always
brightly lit for the nightly darbars. At the far end of the large hall, sits a
grand marble takth (throne), facing the entrance. The takth (throne) is
inspired by Mughal designs and architecture. – The Royal Palaces of the
Nizams, Dr. M.A. Nayeem
The construction work on Khilwat and the ancillary palaces of the Chau Mahal Complex began on 2nd September 1912. Mir Asaf Jah VII inaugurated Khilwat at 10PM on Friday, 28th January, 1916. It stands today, a proud and resplendent emblem of the labour of thousands of workers, the creativity of the Nizam VII and his team of designers and engineers, and the gorgeous legacy of the Nizams.
Palace Hours
Saturday to Thursday: 10:00 am – 05:00 pm
Friday is Closed
Photoshoot not permitted
Admission Cost
General Visit
Indian Citizens Adults:100/-
Children (below 10 Years)40/-
Foreigners400/-
Photography Charges (Only Mobile)50/-
Indian Citizens Adults:100/-
Children (below 10 Years)40/-
Foreigners400/-
Photography Charges (Only Mobile)50/-
Indian Citizens Adults:100/-
Children (below 10 Years)40/-
Foreigners400/-
Photography Charges (Only Mobile)50/-
Indian Citizens Adults:100/-
Children (below 10 Years)40/-
Foreigners400/-
Photography Charges (Only Mobile)50/-
Indian Citizens Adults:100/-
Children (below 10 Years)40/-
Foreigners400/-
Photography Charges (Only Mobile) 50/-
*IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS*
1. Shooting / Filming/ Videography strictly prohibited within the premises of Chowmahalla Palace.
2. Please vacate the palace premises by 5.30 pm
3. Ticket Counter will close at 5 pm
How to Get Here
Address
20-4-236, Motigalli, Khilwat, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002
The Palace is a historical landmark, with decades of culture and history for you to explore. Explore at ease, let your thoughts wander, and enjoy its beautiful ambience. Please carry your own reusable water sources, and ensure that any eatables and wrappings are carried back home with you.
The Palace is a historical landmark, with decades of culture and stories hidden in the cracks, and sometimes laid out bare in the open. We believe there is nothing more ineffectual than an experience one is rushing through. Explore at ease, let your thoughts wander, click a few photographs, simply be.
The Palace, and its history, is for you to explore. The Palace is a grand collection of structures, spread over acres – we need your co-operation to keep it clean and tidy. We strongly suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes.
There is ample space for you to sit and relax. No need, at all, to rush through your Chowmahalla experience. We invite you to avail of our offerings of snacks and drinks at the canteen, located near the entrance gate. While grabbing a bite, your eyes may stray towards our beautifully curated souvenir shop.
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