Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the capital city of the Indian state of Telangana.

It sits on the Deccan Plateau in northern Southern India. The city lies along the banks of the Musi River. Much of the urban area is located on hilly terrain. It features several artificial lakes, such as the Hussain Sagar lake.

According to the 2011 census, it is India's fourth-most populous city. The metropolitan region is the sixth-most populous area in the country.

The history of the city involves many different ruling powers. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah founded Hyderabad in 1591. He established the city to extend the capital beyond the fortified Golconda. In 1687, the Mughal Empire annexed the city. This changed the city's status within the region. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb even gave the city a new title. He called it Dar-ul-Jihad, which means "House of War."

A new era began with the Asaf Jahi dynasty. Asaf Jah I was a Mughal viceroy. He declared his sovereignty in 1724. This started the rule of the Nizams. Hyderabad served as the imperial capital for the Asaf Jahis from 1769 to 1948. The city was part of a princely state during the British Raj. It housed a British Residency and a cantonment. The city eventually became part of the Indian Union in 1948.

The name "Hyderabad" has interesting possible origins. It means "Haydar's City" or "Lion City." This comes from the name Haydar, which means lion. It honors Caliph Ali Ibn Abi Talib. Another legend involves a woman named Bhagmati. Some say the founder named the city Bhagya-nagar after her. She later adopted the title Hyder Mahal. This may be how the name changed to Hyderabad. The city was also once called Baghnagar, meaning "city of gardens."

Modern development transformed the city in the 20th century. The Nizams introduced many new services. They established electricity, running water, and telecommunications. They also built universities and Begumpet Airport. In the 1880s, railways arrived in the area. This led to the building of factories near Hussain Sagar lake.

By the early 1900s, the city had underground drainage. These changes helped Hyderabad become a modern urban center.

Today, Hyderabad is a major global hub for several industries. It is a center for pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. It is also a leader in information technology. The city created special economic zones for this work. These include Hardware Park and HITEC City.

Many large multinational companies have set up operations here. The city's central location helps its growth. It sits between the Deccan Plateau and the Western Ghats.

The culture of the city is very distinctive. It grew from a mix of local and migrated artisans. This created unique painting, jewelry, and literature. The city is famous for its food. UNESCO listed it as a creative city of gastronomy.

People also visit the traditional bazaars. Laad Bazaar is a famous place for bridal wear.

The Telugu film industry is also based here. It is the highest-grossing film industry in India. Until the 1960s, the city was known as the "City of Pearls." It was the only global trading center for Golconda diamonds.