HYDERABAD – THE CITY OF THE NIZAMS

In 2008, Forbes listed the Nizam of as the 8th richest man in the world and the jewelry collection of this dynasty which was established in 1724 is rumored to be one of the largest private collections and included the legendary Jacob and Kohinoor Diamonds. Their colorful history and intrigues, their architectural legacy all make Hyderabad a fascinating destination. It is a destination whose charms have largely stayed undiscovered.

TAJ - MIRROR OF THE SKY With the unveiling of the magnificent Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad now offers accommodation to match the rich heritage of the city. The palace was meticulous restored by the Taj Group, the work often overseen by Princess Ezra, the Nizam’s first wife. Restorers, artists and artisans were brought in from across the world and the far corners of . The original furnishings, paintings and upholstery were all restored and the result is a breathtaking, authentic testimony to a rich and lavish past. To stay here is to stay in a museum, to relive a history of pomp and consequence.

You approach the palace riding up the hill on horse drawn Tongas with the city opening up below you and the splendid façade of the palace emerging up in front. In my case the horse galloped up the hill so I had a fleeting view of the city whizzing past below me and drew up at the palace in a rather dramatic fashion!

The best rooms to stay in are in either in the palace rooms and the suites which are in the original palace. Avoid palace rooms in the new wing which are very ordinary neither reflecting the lavishness nor the ambience of the palace.

Wander into the room for afternoon tea taken amongst precious gems and art and be sure to have sun downers at the “Gol Bungalow” with its over the top (literally!) stained glass dome and fabulous views over Hyderabad city; and take a walk through the palace with the in house historian who introduces you to the incredible architecture and ornate appointments of the palace, interspersed with colorful tit bits about the Nizams and their idiosyncrasies.

As a destination the City has a lot to offer. Spend a day visiting its architectural heritage – the fort, the tombs, mosques, palaces and the quixotic , yet another indulgence of a wealthy noble. But Hyderabad’s charms lie beyond the monuments. The charm of the city is found wandering the through historic Lad Bazaar, listening to the stories of its grand past; in discovering the many art and crafts that developed under royal patronage and still survive; and in excursions to outlying villages which keep alive dying textile traditions.

Hyderabad is home to the prestigious School of Business which has the as its founding associate schools Wharton, Kellogg and MIT Sloan. It is also one of the leading centers for Information Technology, with many companies moving here to avoid the overcrowding in Bangalore.

The City has an international airport and is well connected to the rest of the world and to other major airports in India.