The Chowmahalla Palace, also known as Chowmahallat (meaning four Palaces), Chowmahalla Palace, one of the most magnificent and enchanting palaces in Hyderabad. It was the official residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad and was used for all ceremonial functions including the accession of the new Nizams and the royal weddings.
It is an elegant monument with lush green gardens and fountains. Barkat Ali Khan Mukkarram Jah, the present Nizam has restored the Chowmahalla Palace and opened it for tourists. The documentation and restoration work took 5 years to complete. The Palace open to the public on January 2005. The palace is open to visitors between 10 am and 5 pm. It is closed on Fridays and on national holidays. Entry fee is Rs 25 for Indians and Rs 150 for foreigners.
The Chowmahalla Palace
The Palace construction was initiated by Salabat Jung in 1750 and was completed by Afzal-ad-Dawlah Bahadur in 1869. The Palace has been modeled on the same lines as the Shah of Iran’s Palace in Tehran. It covered 45 acres of land earlier, out of which only 14 acres remain.
Architecture
The Chowmahalla Palace is known for its unique style and elegance. The architecture has been influenced by different styles. It consists of two courtyards (southern and northern) which have beautiful palaces, the Durbar Hall, fountains and well laid out gardens. The architecture of the palace and its interiors are so beautiful that one just cannot afford to miss a second blinking the eye.
The best part is the durbar hall. This hall has a “Takht-e-nishaan”, the royal seat, where most of the major official meetings and ceremonies were held. About nineteen beautiful chandeliers from Belgian dangle in the hall, which are still in working condition. The hall and the roof that are engraved with beautiful design, is a sight to behold. The room next to the hall store the history and the portraits of the Asaf Jahs and a collection of royal seals, badges and handwritten letters along with an exercise book of Mir Mahboob Ali Khan.
The southern courtyard
is the oldest part of the Palace and has four Palaces namely Mahtab Mahal, Aftab Mahal, Afzal Mahal and Tahniyat Mahal. All these Palaces are built in the Neo – classical style. The northern courtyard has the Bara Imam which is a long corridor of rooms facing the central fountain and pool. This was the administrative wing of the Nizams. The Bara Imam has Mughal inspired domes and arches with Persian stucco work. Opposite this is the Shishe-Alat (mirror). These rooms were used as guest rooms for royal officials and visiting dignitaries.
Khilwat Mubarak
is the heart of the Palace. This was the
Durbar Hall of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. The grand hall has huge pillars and a marble platform on which the royal throne (Takht-e-Nishan) was kept. This hall was used by the Nizams to carry out all religious and symbolic ceremonies. Nineteen extravagant Belgian crystal chandeliers have been recently installed to recreate the Nizam splendor. The building also has a rare collection of priceless books and manuscripts. Today this hall is used for temporary exhibitions to revive the treasures of the Chowmahalla Mahal.
Another building in the Palace is called the
Roshan Bangla which was home to the 6th Nizam. He named the building after his mother Begum Roshan. The clock above the main gate of the Palace is known as the Khilwat Clock. The clock has been ticking for over 250 years and is wound by expert clock repairers every week.
