Chowmahalla Palace Hyderabad

In the bygone days, the Chowmahalla Palace was that major seat of monarchy in Hyderabad in India. The Chowmahalla Palace was the seat of the Asaf Jana dynasty where the Hyderabad Nizam used to entertain his royal visitors and official guests. The palace is exclusive for its style and elegance. The entire palace complex of the Chowmahalla Palace used to contain four palaces and hence the palace is called Chowmahalla (Chow meaning four in Hindi). These palatial edifices were built in the neo-classical architectural style and are under restoration at present.

Initially the construction of the palace was started in 1750 and was finally completed in 1857 by the Nizam. There was a lot of mingling of architectural styles and forms.It is said that this palace resembles the Shah of Iran's palace in Teheran. The contemporary Nizam- Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah, Pretender and his family restored and refurbished the Chowmahalla Palace and opened it to the public in January 2005.

Originally when the palace was raised it encompassed an area of forty-five acres but at present only fourteen acres of area of the Chowmahalla Palace is under proper condition.

This northern courtyard which has been restored houses Mughal domes and arches and the Khilwat Mubarak that is decked by the Persian ornamented stucco work.

The Khilwar Mubarak lies at the centre of the Chowmahalla Palace was the original seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.The Durbar hall with splendid marble pillars was the site of Durbars and religious ceremonies and had a marble pedestal where the royal seat(Takht-e-Nishan) was placed.

An interesting artifact in this palace is the Clock Tower that is placed above the Chowmahalla Palace's main gate. This ancient clock has been ticking for more than a thousand years and has a melodious chime.