Chowmahalla Palace

Chowmahalla Palace
General information
Type	Royal Palace
Architectural style	Modelled on Shah of Iran's palace
Location	Hyderabad, India
Completed	1880s

Panoramic view in two parts of the Chaumhalla Palace at Hyderabad, photographed by Deen Dayal in the 1880s

Chowmahalla Palace or Chowmahallat (4 Palaces), was a palace belonging to the Nizams of Hyderabad state. It was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and was the official residence of the Nizam.

In Persian, Chahar means four and in Arabic Mahalat (plural of Mahal) means places, hence the name Chowmahallat/four places, or four palaces.

All ceremonial functions including the accession of the Nizams and receptions for the Governor-General were held at this palace.

The prestigious UNESCO Asia Pacific Merit award for cultural heritage conservation was presented to Chowmahalla Palace on March 15, 2010. UNESCO representative Takahiko Makino formally handed over the plaque and certificate to Princess Esra, former wife and GPA holder of Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur.^[1][2]

History

Drawing Room of Chowmahela 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.

Opposite to the Bara Imam is a building that is its shishe or mirror image. The rooms were once the used as guest rooms for officials accompanying visiting dignitaries.

Khilwat Mubarak

Khilwat Mubarak

This is heart of Chowmahalla Palace. It is held in high esteem by the people of Hyderabad, as it was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. The grand pillared Durbar Hall has a pure marble platform on which the Takht-e-Nishan or the royal seat was laid. Here the Nizams held their durbar and other religious and symbolic ceremonies. The 19 spectacular Chandeliers of Belgian crystal recently reinstalled to recreate the lost splendor of this regal hall.

Clock Tower

The clock above the main gate to Chowmahalla Palace is affectionately called as Khilwat Clock. It has been ticking away for around 250 years. An expert family of clock repairers winds the mechanical clock every week.

Council Hall

This building housed a rare collection of manuscripts and priceless books.The Nizam often met important officials and dignitaries here.Today it is venue for temporary exhibitions from the treasures of the Chowmahalla Palace Collection that of a bygone era.

Roshan Bangla

The sixth Nizam is believed to have lived here and the building was named after his mother Roshan Begum.

The present Nizam (Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah, Pretender) and his family decided to restore the Chowmahalla Palace and open it to the public in January 2005. It took over 5 years to document and restore the palaces of the first courtyard to its former glory.

The chandeliers

See also

• Nizam of Hyderabad
• Purani Haveli
• Falaknuma Palace
• King Kothi
• Chiran Palace
• Jewels of the Nizams
• Jacob Diamond
• Basheer Bagh Palace

External links

• Photos of Chowmahalla Palace on HyderabadPlanet.com
• Khilwat (Chowmahalla Palace)
• The lost world Article by historian William Dalrymple, from The Guardian, about the last Nizam of Hyderabad and the restoration of Chowmahalla Palace
• Chowmahalla by night
• Khilawat Mahal at Chowmahalla
• Tour of Chowmahalla (main courtyard and Khilwat Mahal) on Youtube
• Chowmahalla Palace Official Website

Coordinates: 17°21′28″N 78°28′18″E / 17.357725°N 78.471705°E / 17.357725; 78.471705

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ [2]

• Travel guide issued by Authority: The Administrator, H.E.H The Nizam's Private Estate