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Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos

  •  'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892', taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s. Hyderabad was founded beside the River Musi in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (r.1580-1612) as an alternative to his capital at Golconda.
  • Later, Hyderabad became the capital of the Nizams of Hyderabad, who ruled over one of the largest states in India. The dynasty was founded by Nizam al-Mulk, entitled Asaf Jah (d. 1748) who arrived in the Deccan as the Mughal governor. In 1724 Asaf Jah declared independence and established the dynasty of Nizams who ruled until 1948.
  • There were no modern industries in Hyderabad before 1874 but a few years later railway workshops were established nearby and four factories sprang up south and east of the Hussain Sagar lake. These industrial units became the centre of new settlements.

State Cavalry heading a “langer” procession thru the streets of Hyderabad (1948).

Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos

The city with 200 years history complete mesmerizing, go through below largest collection of vintage Hyderabad photos that you never seen before.

Scroll down here to watch the complete rare 
gallery of Hyderabad photos.


Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad

Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos


A view of the Falaknuma Palace, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s, from the Curzon Collection: ‘Views of HH the Nizam’s Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892’. Falaknuma Palace, literally ‘Mirror of the Sky’, was designed in 1872 by an English architect as the private residence of a rich Muslim grandee. In 1897 the Nizam purchased it for use as a guest house. The main part of the building is classical in style with a two storey verandah carrying a central pediment. Another smaller building to the rear, which once housed the zenana, is designed in Indo-Saracenic style.
The interior is opulent with an Italianate staircase and a fountain in the marble entrance hall, lined with portraits of British Governor-Generals.
The future King George V and Queen Mary stayed here in 1906. This is a distant view of the palace from an opposite hillside.

The entrance bridge to City, Hyderabad; a photo by Lala Deen Dayal, 1880’s

Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos

Also called as Purana pool today.

Nizam’s personal elephant

Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos



Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos

Mir Osman Ali Khan, reviewing the troops march from the royal box (probably in Parade grounds Secunderabad).


Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos

Nizam’s Guard Buckle

Nizam’s Chowmahela Palace

Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos

Panoramic view in two parts of the Chaumhalla Palace at Hyderabad, photographed by Deen Dayal in the 1880s. This is part of the Curzon Collection: ‘Views of HH the Nizam’s Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892’. The Chaumhalla Palace complex is made up of four palaces: the Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal and Aftab Mahal, all arranged around a central courtyard garden with a marble cistern in the centre. The Chaumhalla Palace was commenced in 1750 with later additions by successive Nizams.

Drawing Room of Chowmahela Palace

Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos

Interior view of the Chaumhalla Palace at Hyderabad, photographed by Deen Dayal in the 1880s, from the Curzon Collection: ‘Views of HH the Nizam’s Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892’. The Chaumhalla Palace was commenced in 1750 with later additions. The Palace complex is made up of four palaces – the Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal and Aftab Mahal – arranged around a central courtyard garden with a marble cistern in the centre.


Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos

Interior of Chowmahela Palace


Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos

Nizam’s Chowmahela Palace, Hyderabad; a photo by Lala Deen Dayal, 1880’s


Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos

Makkah Masjid in 1948


Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos

Moazzam Jahi Marketplace building


Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos

Palace of the Hyderabad Royal Family

Today’s Telangana Assembly building

Hyderabad Before Independence Rare Videos and Photos