Chowmahalla Palace is a beautiful palace located in Hyderabad. It is well known organizing grand weddings, events. Chowmahalla Palace article covers topics like Information, Images, Entry Fee, Timings, History, About, Events, etc.
Interesting facts about Chowmahalla Palace
• Chowmahalla Palace had about 7000 attendants each day.
• The Chowmahalla palace remains the property of Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah, heir to the Nizams.
• The prestigious UNESCO Merit Prize for Asia and the Pacific for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage was presented at the Chowmahalla Palace on 15 March 2010.
• The construction of the palace was initiated in 1750 by Nizam Salabhat Jung but it was Nizam Afzar-ud-Dawla Bahadur who saw that the palace was completed between 1857 and 1869.
Location of Chowmahalla Palace
Chowmahalla palace is just 2 km from Charminar. It is a must visit place if you come to charminar or Hyderabad.
Chowmahalla palace Timings
• The palace remains open from 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM (except Friday)
• On Friday every week the palace remains closed.
Chowmahalla palace Entry Fee:
The entry fee varies according to nationality and age.
Indian citizens – Rs.80 per person
Children below 12 years (Indians) – Rs. 10 per Child
Foreign Citizens – Rs. 200 per person
Still Camera – Rs. 50
Video Camera – Rs. 200
About Chowmahalla Palace
Chowmahalla Palace or Chowmahallatuu (4 Palaces), is a palace of the Nizams of the State of Hyderabad. It was the main place of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and was the official residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad as they governed their state. The palace remains the property of Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah, who was heir to the Nizams. In Urdu, Hindi Chari means four, and even in Persian Chahar means four and Urdu and Hindi Mahal means palace, hence the name Chowmahalla / four palaces.
The palace is located in the old town of Hyderabad near the Charminar. All ceremonial functions, including Nizam membership and receptions to the Governor General, took place in this palace. The prestigious UNESCO Merit Prize for Asia and the Pacific for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage was presented at the Chowmahalla Palace on 15 March 2010. The UNESCO representative, Takahiko Makino, officially handed the plaque and certificate to the Princess Esra, former wife and holder of the GPA of Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur.
History Chowmahalla Palace
The history of Hyderabad is so appealing that it would seem like reading a wonderful story and its glorious past and the most interesting part of this history is the rule of the Nizams, which fills the pages of history with legendary contributions of architecture, art and science. A testimony to this aspect is seen in the form of many exquisite monuments scattered throughout the city. Such a monument which, in its sumptuous sumptuousness, still shows the power of time immemorial, is the castle of Chowmahalla.
The name Chowmahalla refers to four palaces. The Palace construction was started in 1750 by Nizam Salabhat Jung but it was Nizam Afzar-ud-Dawla Bahadur who saw that the palace was completed between 1857 and 1869. Originally the palace covered 45 acres of Laad Bazaar On the north to Aspan Chowk Road which lies to the south. The Chowmohalla Complex is a replica of the Shah Palace in Tehran, Iran.
Currently, the palace includes two courtyards with graceful palaces, the great Durbar Hall or the Khilwat. Gardens and fountains add to elegance Southern Courtyard is the oldest part of the complex. It has 4 graceful palaces Tahniyat Mahal, Aftab Mahal, Afzal Mahal and Mahtab Mahal. The Northern Court has been restored and open to the visitors. The key attraction of this area is the Bara Imam, is a long corridor. It has rooms on the east wing, which has already served as an administrative wing. Another amazing construction is the clock tower. It houses the Khilwat Clock which always works perfectly.
Chowmahalla Palace Architecture
The Chowmahalla Palace consists of two courtyards that are divided into the northern courtyard and the southern courtyard. The courtyard of the palace of the south has four palaces: Aftab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal, Afzal Mahal and Mahtab Mahal. The Aftab Mahal is a two-storey building and is the largest of the four. The northern court which has been opened to the public, houses Bara Imam, a long corridor with many rooms on the east side, formerly the administrative wing. Another significant feature of this courtyard is the Shishe-Alat.
This was used to welcome guests and public figures. The Chowmahalla Palace features the Clock Tower, the Board Room and the Roshan Bungalow inside. The Roshan bungalow was named after Roshan Begum who was the mother of the sixth Nizam. The clock of Khilwat, famous for making tic since the construction of the palace, is seen inside the tower of the clock. At Hall Council, various manuscripts and rare books, personal collections of the Nizam, have been preserved.
The heart of the palace is called Khilwat Mubarak. This large hall of Durbar is undeniably the best part of the palace. The Mughal domes, imposing arches and the complex Persian workforce create a masterpiece. Inside the Durbar Hall, there is a platform made of marble. It is on this platform where the royal throne, Takht-e-Nishan was laid.It is said that Chowmahalla Palace had about 7000 attendants each day. For its grandeur and charm, it has often been compared to the Enchanted Gardens of the Arab Nights for its greatness.
Best time to visit:
Chowmahalla palace can be visited anytime in the year.
Itinerary:
Time taken to cover entire palace is 3-4 hours.
Things to do:
Exploring with ease – Throughout the palace complex, many benches in the shade of trees have been built for visitors to relax. There is also a canteen that offers snacks and basic drinks in the palace complex. Therefore, you can admire the architectural excellence of Chowmahalla Palace and explore its various galleries without exhausting you.
Photography and photo-walks – With its complex sculptures, impressive structure and well-appointed gardens, this palace is nothing but a paradise for photographers.
Shopping– The gift shop at the palace is ideal for shopping freks. It features a wide range of collections including carved decorative objects, colorful coins with traditional designs, and jewelery ranging from bracelets, pearl necklaces to ear rings, and more. The price range of these items is slightly high, but the collection and the exquisite of these will seduce buy more than one. For example, a small sculpted metal elephant will cost you around Rs.500 while carved brass plates or camels cost about Rs.1000 and more.
How To Reach:
Reaching Chowmahalla Palace is not a difficult task. It is quite close to another popular tourist attraction of Hyderabad – Charminar. For those traveling by public transport, the MMTS station of Nampally / Hyderabad is nearby. From the station you can hire a cab or auto to the palace. There are also many buses that go to Palace at regular intervals.