Detailed Programme Full Day Sightseeing of Hyderabad Dates Offered: 06, 07, 08, 09, 11 October ’14 Length of tour: 6 - 7 hours (Timing 0900 Hours till 1700 Hours) Tour start and end point: Conference Venue/Hotel of Stay Early morning you will be picked up from Conference venue/hotel of stay & proceed for full day sightseeing of Hyderabad. Golconda Fort: About Golconda Fort: Golconda Fort is one of the most wonderful monuments, located 11 km. from Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. The name of Golconda originates from the telgu words "Golla" and "Konda" which means 'shepard's hill'. One of the most important features of this fort is that the sounds of hands clapped at the entry gate can be heard quite clearly at the top of the hill. History of Golconda Fort : The 13th century Golconda Fort was built by the Kakatiya kings. The existing structure was later built by Qutub Shahi Kings into a massive fort with granite walls having eight gates and 87 bastions spread upto 7 kms, in circumference over a span of 62 years. Golconda Fort, popularly known in Telgu as "Golla Konda", which means "Shepherd's Hill", has an exotic story behind it. In 1143, on the rocky hill known as 'Mangalavaram', a shepherd boy came across an image and conveyed to the Kakatiya king, who was ruling at that time. The 10km long road from Golconda to outer Hyderabad was a fantastic market selling jewellery, diamonds, pearls and other gems, popular in all over the world. Qutub Shahi Tombs: About Qutub Shahi Tombs The Qutub Shahi Tombs is situated 2 km. from the Golconda Fort, the most reliable evidence of the Qutub Shahi architectural traditions. These exquisite structures and every arch, dome minarets, columns and gallery surrounded by landscaped gardens. Amidst landscape gardens known as Ibrahim Bagh, there are seven tombs dedicated to the memory of the former king of Golconda popular as Qutub Shahi Tombs. All the Qutub Shahi kings except Abdul Hassan Tana Shah who died in captivity in Daulatabad are buried here. This is the only palace in the world where one can see so many tombs in one place. Mixture of Persian, Pathan and Hindu forms The Qutub Shahi Tombs is a perfect amalgamation of Persian, Pathan and Hindu forms, constructed in grey granite embellished with stucco ornamentation. The tombs form a large collection and stand on a raised platform. The tombs are domed structures built on a square base surrounded by pointed arches, each tomb are quadrangular and rise from 9 to 15 meter above the terrace. The smaller tombs galleries are in single storied while the larger tombs are two storied. The domes were originally made with blue and green tiles, of which only a few pieces remain now. The Structure of Qutub Shahi Tombs Qutub Shahi Tombs is surrounded by enchanting minarets at the corners. This magnificient tomb is one of the largest monument with height of 42.5 m with a large dome and open 28.2 arches. The architect has judicially planned it on a double terrace, rising to a height of 6 metres from the ground level. The lower one is 60.8 mts. square supported by a 406, Tower A, Millennium Plaza, Sector 27, Gurgaon 122002, INDIA Tel: +91-124-4974160 | Fax: +91-124-4108917 facade of 28 open arches on each side and the upper terrace is 38.3 metres square. The tombs were furnished with carpets, chandeliers and velvet canopies on silver poles. Built on a square base surrounded by pointed arches. The mausoleums of the Golconda Sultans, are truly magnificent monuments that have stood the test of time and braved the elements. During the Qutub Shahi period, these tombs were held in such great pleasure that criminals who took refuge there were granted pardon. But after their reign, the tombs were neglected, till Sir Salar Jung III ordered their restoration in the early 19th century. Salar Jung Museum : Location of Salarjung Museum: Salar Jung Museum is situated on the southern bank of the river Musi. It is not far from the other important monuments of the old city. The historic Charminar, Jama Masjid, High Court, State Central Library and the Osmania General Hospital are all within a radius of one mile from the Salar Jung Museum. About Salarjung Museum: Hyderabad's Salarjung Museum, the third largest museum in India is one of the largest one-man-collections in the world. The Prime Minister of India, Shri Jawaharlal Nehru had declared open the entire collection of SalarJung to the public on December 16, 1951.The collection was shifted to its present building in 1968. This museum houses magnificent exhibits of European and Indian paintings and statuary. Mir Yusuf Ali Khan, popularly known as Salar Jung III (1889-1949) served as Prime Minister to Nizam 1912, at the age of 23, but resigned two and a half years later. Thereafter he dedicated his whole life collecting antiques and art, which were the only passions of his lonely life. He spent considerable portion of his wealth for collecting them. It is believed that he spent a substantial amount of his income over thirty five years to make this priceless collection, his life's passion. Though Salar Jung III is credited with these fantastic collections, it all started with his father and grandfather. This museum is well known throughout India for its prized collections. In the year 1961 it was declared to be an "Institution of National Importance" by an Act of Parliament, known as the Salar Jung Museum Act, 1961. It was originally housed in Diwan Devdi. The Salarjung Museum Collection : Salarjung Museum is one of the much lauded tourist attractions of Hyderabad City and it is full of many interesting objects. It is a royal treat to the connoisseurs with a collection of over 43000 art objects, 9000 manuscripts and 47000 printed books. The collections include Indian Art, Middle Eastern Art, Far Eastern Art, European Art, Children Art along with a Founders gallery and a rare manuscript section. Indian Art includes stone sculptures, bronze images, jade carvings, painted textiles, wood carvings, miniature paintings, modern art, ivory carvings, textiles, metal-ware, manuscript, arms & armour etc. Middle Eastern Art contains the collection of carpets, paper (manuscripts), glass, metal-ware, furniture, lacquer etc. from Persia, Arabia, Syria, and Egypt. Collection of Far Eastern Art exhibit porcelain, bronze, enamel, lacquerware, embroidery, painting, wood & inlay work from China, Japan, Tibet, Nepal and Thailand etc. Oil and watercolor paintings form an important part of the European Collection. The museum exhibits objects of art like Chinese Porcelain, Aurangazeb's Sword, and Daggers belonging to Queen Noor Jehan, Emperor Jahangir and Shah Jahan, Sculpture, Indian paintings & Persian carpets. Some of the highlights are the Veiled Rebecca, the translucent white marble statue by Bezoni, and the Arms section. There are 38 galleries in the Museum spread on two floors. The ground floor has 20 galleries, and the first floor has 18 galleries. Even then, the total exhibited art objects constitute a little over 25% of the entire collection. The present building has many co-ordinating sections such as the Education Wing, Chemical Conservation Laboratory, Photo section, display section, Reception and a Sales counter. It has a caretaker section and is equipped with a separate security Wing to safeguard the art collection round the clock. The Clock Room : Don't miss out on the 19th Century British Musical Clock. It is one of the best galleries with a collection of more than 300 clocks. The major attraction of this museum is a musical clock, which was sold by Cook and Kelvy of England. It is a mechanical wonder, a toy figure of a watchman who pushes open the door, emerges hour after hour in a great hurry to beat the melodious gong that indicates time. Other highlights in the museum include the "veiled Rebecca", "Mestophiles" and "the Lady with the lamp". Note: Salar Jung Museum remain closed on every Friday 406, Tower A, Millennium Plaza, Sector 27, Gurgaon 122002, INDIA Tel: +91-124-4974160 | Fax: +91-124-4108917 Chowmahalla Palace: Drawing Room of Chowmahalla Palace.While Salabat Jung initiated its construction in 1750, it was completed by the period of Afzal ad-Dawlah, Asaf Jah V, the V Nizam ensured its completion between 1857 and 1869.It is believed to be modelled on Shah of Iran's palace in Tehran.The palace is unique for its style and elegance. Building of the palace began in the late 18th century and over the decades a synthesis of many architectural styles and influences emerged.This palace consists of two courtyards, southern courtyard and northern courtyard. They have elegant palaces, the grand Khilwat (the Durbar Hall), fountains and gardens.The palace originally covered 45 acres (180,000 m2), but only 14 acres (57,000 m2) remain today. Southern courtyard This is the oldest part of the palace, and has four palaces Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal and Aftab Mahal.It was built in the neo-classical style Northern courtyard This part has Bara Imam, A long corridor of rooms on the east side face the central fountain and pool that, once housed the administrative wing. and Shishe-Alat meaning mirror image.It has Mughal domes and arches and many Persian elements like the ornate stucco work that adorn the Khilwat Mubarak. These were characteristic of buildings built in Hyderabad at the time. The Chandelier Opposite to the Bara Imam is a building that is its shisha or mirror image. The rooms were once the used as guest rooms for officials accompanying visiting dignitaries.