Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the common capital city of the Indian states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the Musi River in the Deccan Plateau. It has a population of about 6.8 million and a metropolitan population of about 7.75 million, making it the fourth most populous city and sixth most populous urban agglomeration in India. At an average altitude of 542 metres (1,778 ft), much of Hyderabad is situated on hilly terrain around artificial lakes, including Hussain Sagar—predating the city's founding—north of the city centre.

Hyderabad city is given the status of a district (District code-16). There are no other mandals in Hyderabad district. Hyderabad is divided into 5 zones, 18 circles and 150 wards.

Also known as The City of Nizams and The City of Pearls, Hyderabad offers a fascinating panorama of the past, with richly mixed cultural and historical tradition spanning over 400 years. It is one of the fastest growing cities of India and has emerged as a strong industrial, commercial and information technology center. In 2012 it has been ranked as the best heritage city in India.

The rich history of Hyderabad begins with the establishment of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. Quli Qutub Shah seized the reins of power from the Bahamani kingdom in 1512 and established the fortress city of Golkonda. Inadequacy of water and frequent epidemics of plague and cholera persuaded Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth sultan, to venture outward to establish new city in 1591 with the Charminar at its centre and with four great roads fanning out four cardinal directions. Hyderabad's fame, strategic location and Golkonda's legendary wealth attracted Aurangzeb the Mughal Emperor who captured Golkonda after a long siege in 1687.After this defeat the importance of Hyderabad declined and the city fell into partial ruins. As the Mughul empire decayed and began to disintegrate, the viceroy, Asaf Jah I proclaimed himself the Nizam and established independent rule of the Deccan. Hyderabad once again became a major capital city, ruled by successive Nizams of the Asaf Jahi dynasty until the state was merged into an Indian Union in 1948.Hyderabad and Secunderabad (correctly spelt Sikanderabad) are twin cities separated by the Husain Sagar (bound by the Tank Bund),a man-made lake made during the time of Ibrahim Qutub Shah in 1562.

Hyderabad has an estimated metropolitan population of 6.8 million, making it India's sixth largest city. Hyderabad is known for its rich history, culture, cuisine and architecture representing its unique character as a meeting point for North and South India, both geographically and culturally. It is now a hub of information technology (IT, ITES, BPO, KPO) and biotechnology. The city is an amazing blend of traditionality and modernity.

Hyderabad has become a preferred conference venue in India as well as in Asia, with many conferences and meetings taking place in the city. The city is home to the world's largest film studio, the Ramoji Film City. It is famousfor the famous Hyderabadi cuisine. It also famous for the Salar Jung museum which is the one of the largest one man collections in the world.