Public gardens, Secunderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph taken from the entrance of the gardens at Secunderabad (now in Andhra Pradesh), taken by Lala Deen Dayal, c. 1890. In the 19th century era of pioneering photography mostly dominated by Europeans in India, Deen Dayal earned renown as a hugely successful Indian photographer. Born to a Jaina family in Sardhana near Meerut, he studied photography while an engineering student, and took it up professionally encouraged by mentors such as Sir Henry Daly. His technical excellence and attention to detail made him much in demand and he took official photographs of colonial events and administrators, including Lord Dufferin, Viceroy 1884-88. In 1884 he was appointed court photographer to the Nizam of Hyderabad and founded a studio in Secunderabad which is still run by his descendents today. He specialised in portraiture and Indian views. 

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Tombs at Golconda, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of Muhammad Qutb Shah's tomb, Golconda, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s, from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. Golconda was capital of the Qutb Shah dynasty, founded in 1512 by Quli Shah. Nearly all the members of the dynasty were buried in the complex of royal tombs at Golconda. Each of the tombs in this dynastic necropolis are built in the same tradition as those in Bidar. All the tombs have a square base surmounted by an onion shaped domed and surrounding by an arcade, with rich ornamental details. The tomb of Muhammad Qutb Shah (r.1612-1626) contains the remains of Chand Bibi, daughter of Ibrahim Adil Shah of Bijapur, and other descendants of the royal house. 

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Husain Sagar Tank, Secunderabad, 1902-03

A Panoramic view in two parts of the Husain Sagar tank in Secunderabad, from the Macnabb Collection (Col James Henry Erskine Reid): Album of Indian views, taken in c.1902-03. Husain Sagar is an artificial lake which divides the twin cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. The lake was created in the 16th century by Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah (r.1550-80) and named after Husain Shah Wali, who had helped the sultan recover from illness. It was created by enlarging an existing small stone dam across the valley. The lake supplied the townspeople with water as well as irrigating the surrounding land. 

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The Residency House, Bolarum - Secunderabad - Ancient Photos

View of the Residency House, Bolarum, Andra Pradesh, photographed by Deen Dayal in the 1880s. This photograph is from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. This was the country house of the former British Resident at Bolarum, near Secunderabad, constructed in 1860. It is a single storyed building set in 90 acres of grounds. It is now known as the Rastrapati Nilayam and is the official residence of the President of India. 

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Public Rooms, interior, Secunderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph taken by Lala Deen Dayal, c. 1890, of the interior of the Secunderabad Public Rooms (now the Secunderabad Club) with the billiards table at the far end. In the 19th century era of pioneering photography mostly dominated by Europeans in India, Deen Dayal earned renown as a hugely successful Indian photographer. Born to a Jaina family in Sardhana near Meerut, he studied photography while an engineering student, and took it up professionally encouraged by mentors such as Sir Henry Daly. His technical excellence and attention to detail made him much in demand and he took official photographs of colonial events and administrators, including Lord Dufferin, Viceroy 1884-88. In 1884 he was appointed court photographer to the Nizam of Hyderabad and founded a studio in Secunderabad which is still run by his descendents today. He specialised in portraiture and Indian views.

Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh is separated from its older twin city Hyderabad by the Hussain Sagar Lake. It was founded as a British military cantonment in c. 1807, as part of a military and political alliance signed by the Nizam of Hyderabad ('the most faithful ally of the British Empire') with the British East India Company in 1798. The cantonment developed into one of the largest in the country, its colonial architecture including barracks, official and residential buildings and recreational sites like clubs, all located within acres of lush green grounds. The Secunderabad Club, originally known as the Secunderabad Public Rooms, was established in 1878. Its membership was initially confined to civil and military officers in the service of the British Government in the vicinity. Gradually, Indian princes and big landowners were allowed as members. Its architecture typified the attempt to create a luxurious atmosphere with 'islands of aloofness and peace' in which the English could 'withdraw and transpose themselves back home'.

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Moul Ali, 1902-03 - Ancient Photos

Photograph of Maula Ali Hill, from the Macnabb Collection (Col James Henry Erskine Reid): Album of Indian views, taken in the early 1900s. The view shows Maula Ali Hill in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh. The Shrine of Maula Ali is located on the hill, together with a mosque and other ancient ruins including an old fortress and a large prehistoric cemetery. 

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Scotch Kirk and Cemetery, Secunderabad

Photograph showing the Scotch Kirk and cemetery, with the cantonment parade ground and race course beyond, at Secunderabad (now in Andhra Pradesh) taken by Lala Deen Dayal, c. 1890. In the 19th century era of pioneering photography mostly dominated by Europeans in India, Deen Dayal earned renown as a hugely successful Indian photographer. Born to a Jaina family in Sardhana near Meerut, he studied photography while an engineering student, and took it up professionally encouraged by mentors such as Sir Henry Daly. His technical excellence and attention to detail made him much in demand and he took official photographs of colonial events and administrators, including Lord Dufferin, Viceroy 1884-88. In 1884 he was appointed court photographer to the Nizam of Hyderabad and founded a studio in Secunderabad which is still run by his descendents today. He specialised in portraiture and Indian views.

Secunderabad is situated in Andhra Pradesh next to Hyderabad, its older twin city (founded c. 1590). The Nizam of Hyderabad, Sikander Jah, entered into a subsidiary alliance with the British East India Company in 1798, involving military and political cooperation. Under the alliance an area north of Hussain Sagar lake was to be made a cantonment. Soon after the alliance was signed 5,000 British troops arrived and camped north of Hyderabad; the cantonment was laid out in 1806 and named after the Nizam, and thus was Secunderabad founded. Initially it encompassed an area of four square miles and had a population of 5,000 troops plus several thousand civilians, however 60 years later it had increased to 17 square miles and the population, including the armed forces was 50,000. The town continued to develop as its military functions and business opportunities drew large numbers of people from the surrounding rural areas.

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James Street, Secunderabad

Photograph of a street in Secunderabad, Andrea Pradeah, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s, from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. Secunderabad, twin city of Hyderabad, was founded after an alliance between Hyderabad’s Nizam Sikander Jah and the British East India Company in 1798. Following the treaty, secured by Major James Achilles Kirkpatrick, an area north of Hussain Sagar lake was made into a cantonment. Soon after the treaty was signed 5,000 British troops arrived and camped in the new cantonment of Secunderabad, which was laid out in 1806 and named after the Nizam. Initially it encompassed an area of four square miles and had a population of 5,000 troops plus several thousand civilians. However, 60 years later it had increased to 17 square miles and had a population, including the armed forces, of 50,000.

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Husain Sauger from railway station

Photograph with a view of the Hussain Sagar lake to the north of Hyderabad, taken by Lala Deen Dayal, c. 1890. In the 19th century era of pioneering photography mostly dominated by Europeans in India, Deen Dayal earned renown as a hugely successful Indian photographer. Born to a Jaina family in Sardhana near Meerut, he studied photography while an engineering student, and took it up professionally encouraged by mentors such as Sir Henry Daly. His technical excellence and attention to detail made him much in demand and he took official photographs of colonial events and administrators, including Lord Dufferin, Viceroy 1884-88. In 1884 he was appointed court photographer to the Nizam of Hyderabad and founded a studio in Secunderabad which is still run by his descendents today. He specialised in portraiture and Indian views. 

Hyderabad, founded in c.1590 by the Qutb Shahi dynasty originally centred in nearby Golconda, is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and India's fifth largest metropolis. It is separated from its twin city of Secunderabad, founded by the British in the early 19th century, by the Hussain Sagar, an artificial lake. The Hussain Sagar was created in 1562 by Sultan Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah to help relieve a water shortage and named after Hussain Shah Wali, a holy man who had helped the sultan recover from an illness. It is fed by streams from the river Musi. The once immense Hussain Sagar has shrunk in size and is now a complex of parks, statuary, recreation grounds and boating clubs.

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R.C. Cathedral, Secunderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph with a slightly distant view of St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral, taken by Deen Dayal, c. 1890. In the 19th century era of pioneering photography mostly dominated by Europeans in India, Deen Dayal earned renown as a hugely successful Indian photographer. Born to a Jaina family in Sardhana near Meerut, he studied photography while an engineering student, and took it up professionally encouraged by mentors such as Sir Henry Daly. His technical excellence and attention to detail made him much in demand and he took official photographs of colonial events and administrators, including Lord Dufferin, Viceroy 1884-88. In 1884 he was appointed court photographer to the Nizam of Hyderabad and founded a studio in Secunderabad which is still run by his descendents today. He specialised in portraiture and Indian views.

Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh is separated from its older twin city Hyderabad by the Hussain Sagar Lake. It was founded as a British military cantonment in c. 1807, as part of a military and political alliance signed by the Nizam of Hyderabad ('the most faithful ally of the British Empire') with the British East India Company in 1798. The cantonment developed into one of the largest in the country, its colonial architecture including barracks, official and residential buildings and recreational sites like clubs, all located within acres of lush green grounds.

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St John's Church, Secunderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of St John's Church, built c. 1860 in Secunderabad, with the tower and cupola in the foreground, taken by Lala Deen Dayal c. 1890. In the 19th century era of pioneering photography mostly dominated by Europeans in India, Deen Dayal earned renown as a hugely successful Indian photographer. Born to a Jaina family in Sardhana near Meerut, he studied photography while an engineering student, and took it up professionally encouraged by mentors such as Sir Henry Daly. His technical excellence and attention to detail made him much in demand and he took official photographs of colonial events and administrators, including Lord Dufferin, Viceroy 1884-88. In 1884 he was appointed court photographer to the Nizam of Hyderabad and founded a studio in Secunderabad which is still run by his descendents today. He specialised in portraiture and Indian views.

Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh is separated from its older twin city Hyderabad by the Hussain Sagar Lake. It was founded as a British military cantonment in c. 1807, as part of a military and political alliance signed by the Nizam of Hyderabad ('the most faithful ally of the British Empire') with the British East India Company in 1798. The cantonment developed into one of the largest in the country, its colonial architecture including barracks, official and residential buildings and recreational sites like clubs, all located within acres of lush green grounds.

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Tomb of Secunderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of a tomb at Secunderabad, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s, from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. Secunderabad, twin city of Hyderabad, was founded after an alliance between Hyderabad's Nizam Sikander Jah and the British East India Company in 1798. Following the treaty, secured by Major James Achilles Kirkpatrick, an area north of Hussain Sagar lake was made into a cantonment. Soon after the treaty was signed 5,000 British troops arrived and camped in the new cantonment of Secunderabad, which was laid out in 1806 and named after the Nizam. The tomb in this view has an onion-shaped dome and finials at the corners of the building; features typical of Deccani style architecture. 

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Public Rooms, Secunderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of the Secunderabad Public Rooms from the driveway, taken by Lala Deen Dayal, c. 1890. In the 19th century era of pioneering photography mostly dominated by Europeans in India, Deen Dayal earned renown as a hugely successful Indian photographer. Born to a Jaina family in Sardhana near Meerut, he studied photography while an engineering student, and took it up professionally encouraged by mentors such as Sir Henry Daly. His technical excellence and attention to detail made him much in demand and he took official photographs of colonial events and administrators, including Lord Dufferin, Viceroy 1884-88. In 1884 he was appointed court photographer to the Nizam of Hyderabad and founded a studio in Secunderabad which is still run by his descendents today. He specialised in portraiture and Indian views. 

Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh is separated from its older twin city Hyderabad by the Hussain Sagar Lake. It was founded as a British military cantonment in c. 1807, as part of a military and political alliance signed by the Nizam of Hyderabad ('the most faithful ally of the British Empire') with the British East India Company in 1798. The cantonment developed into one of the largest in the country, its colonial architecture including barracks, official and residential buildings and recreational sites like clubs, all located within acres of lush green grounds. The Secunderabad Club, originally known as the Secunderabad Public Rooms, was established in 1878. Its membership was initially confined to civil and military officers in the service of the British Government in the vicinity. Gradually, Indian princes and big landowners were allowed as members. Its architecture typified the attempt to create a luxurious atmosphere with 'islands of aloofness and peace' in which the English could 'withdraw and transpose themselves back home'.

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Masonic Lodge and Picquet Tank, Secunderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of the Masonic Lodge buildings in Secunderabad, taken by Lala Deen Dayal, c. 1890. In the 19th century era of pioneering photography mostly dominated by Europeans in India, Deen Dayal earned renown as a hugely successful Indian photographer. Born to a Jaina family in Sardhana near Meerut, he studied photography while an engineering student, and took it up professionally encouraged by mentors such as Sir Henry Daly. His technical excellence and attention to detail made him much in demand and he took official photographs of colonial events and administrators, including Lord Dufferin, Viceroy 1884-88. In 1884 he was appointed court photographer to the Nizam of Hyderabad and founded a studio in Secunderabad which is still run by his descendents today. He specialised in portraiture and Indian views.

Secunderabad is situated in Andhra Pradesh next to Hyderabad, its older twin city (founded c. 1590). The Nizam of Hyderabad, Sikander Jah, entered into a subsidiary alliance with the British East India Company in 1798, involving military and political cooperation. Under the alliance an area north of Hussain Sagar lake was to be made a cantonment. Soon after the alliance was signed 5,000 British troops arrived and camped north of Hyderabad; the cantonment was laid out in 1806 and named after the Nizam, and thus was Secunderabad founded. The cantonment developed into a major township as its military functions and business opportunities drew large numbers of people from the surrounding rural areas.

Masonic activity in India began as far back as 1728, with the first Lodge being established in Calcutta. A Lodge was founded in Secunderabad in 1822. There are about 277 lodges in India, and the oldest building in India used as a Masonic Lodge is in Hyderabad: the Goshamal Baradari built in 1682.

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General view from Transport Karkhana, Secunderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph with a general view looking across the Secunderabad Cantonment towards Husain Sagar Tank, taken by Deen Dayal, c. 1890. In the 19th century era of pioneering photography mostly dominated by Europeans in India, Deen Dayal earned renown as a hugely successful Indian photographer. Born to a Jaina family in Sardhana near Meerut, he studied photography while an engineering student, and took it up professionally encouraged by mentors such as Sir Henry Daly. His technical excellence and attention to detail made him much in demand and he took official photographs of colonial events and administrators, including Lord Dufferin, Viceroy 1884-88. In 1884 he was appointed court photographer to the Nizam of Hyderabad and founded a studio in Secunderabad which is still run by his descendents today. He specialised in portraiture and Indian views.

Secunderabad is situated in Andhra Pradesh next to Hyderabad, its older twin city (founded c. 1590), separated from it by the artificial lake called Hussain Sagar. The Nizam of Hyderabad, Sikander Jah, entered into a subsidiary alliance with the British East India Company in 1798, involving military and political cooperation. Under the alliance an area north of Hussain Sagar lake was to be made a cantonment. Soon after the alliance was signed 5,000 British troops arrived and camped north of Hyderabad; the cantonment was laid out in 1806 and named after the Nizam, and thus was Secunderabad founded.

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Maidan from Flagstaff, Secunderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of troop tents pitched on the Maidan, Secunderabad (now in Andhra Pradesh) taken by Lala Deen Dayal, c. 1890. In the 19th century era of pioneering photography mostly dominated by Europeans in India, Deen Dayal earned renown as a hugely successful Indian photographer. Born to a Jaina family in Sardhana near Meerut, he studied photography while an engineering student, and took it up professionally encouraged by mentors such as Sir Henry Daly. His technical excellence and attention to detail made him much in demand and he took official photographs of colonial events and administrators, including Lord Dufferin, Viceroy 1884-88. In 1884 he was appointed court photographer to the Nizam of Hyderabad and founded a studio in Secunderabad which is still run by his descendents today. He specialised in portraiture and Indian views. 

Secunderabad is situated in Andhra Pradesh next to Hyderabad, its older twin city (founded c. 1590). The Nizam of Hyderabad, Sikander Jah, entered into a subsidiary alliance with the British East India Company in 1798, involving military and political cooperation. Under the alliance an area north of Hussain Sagar lake was to be made a cantonment. Soon after the alliance was signed 5,000 British troops arrived and camped north of Hyderabad; the cantonment was laid out in 1806 and named after the Nizam, and thus was Secunderabad founded. Initially it encompassed an area of four square miles and had a population of 5,000 troops plus several thousand civilians, however 60 years later it had increased to 17 square miles and the population, including the armed forces was 50,000. The town continued to develop as its military functions and business opportunities drew large numbers of people from the surrounding rural areas.

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Nautch girls, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of nautch dancers at Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, taken by Hooper and Western in the 1860s, from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections. This is one of a series of photographs commissioned by the Government of India in the 19th century, in order to gather information about the dress, customs, trade and religions of the different racial groups on the sub-continent. Images like this one were exhibited at European international exhibitions during the nineteenth century. The girls in the photograph are wearing the dancers' traditional jewelled head-dress and anklets of small bells. The reclining girl also has a jewelled sheath covering her long plait. 

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General view of Trimulgherry, Secunderabad - Ancient Photos

View of Trimulgherry, Secunderabad, in Andhra Pradesh, photograped by Deen Dayal in the 1880s, from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. Secunderabad is situated in Andhra Pradesh next to Hyderabad, its twin city. The town was founded after an alliance between Hyderabad’s Nizam Sikander Jah and the British East India Company in 1798 which made an area north of Hussain Sagar lake into a cantonment. Soon after the alliance was signed 5,000 British troops arrived and camped north of Hyderabad; the cantonment of Secunderabad was laid out in 1806 and named after the Nizam. Initially it encompassed an area of four square miles and had a population of 5,000 troops, plus several thousand civilians. However, 60 years later it had increased to 17 square miles and the population, including the armed forces, had grown to 50,000. Timulgherry is one of a group of artillery cantonment situated in the area of Secunderabad.

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Trimulgherry Entrenchment, Secunderabad - Ancient Photos

General view of buildings in the Trimulgherry entrenched camp near Secunderabad, photographed by Deen Dayal in the 1880s. This photograph is from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. Secunderabad is situated in Andhra Pradesh next to Hyderabad, its twin city. The town was founded in 1798 after an alliance between Hyderabad’s Nizam Sikander Jah and the British East India Company, which made an area north of Hussain Sagar lake into a cantonment. Soon after the alliance was signed 5,000 British troops arrived and camped north of Hyderabad; the cantonment of Secunderabad was laid out in 1806 and named after the Nizam. Initially it encompassed an area of four square miles and had a population of 5,000 troops, plus several thousand civilians. However, 60 years later it had increased to 17 square miles and the population, including the armed forces, had grown to 50,000. The town continued to develop as large numbers of people from the surrounding rural area were drawn by the work opportunities created by the military. Timulgherry is one of a group of artillery cantonment situated in the area of Secunderabad. 

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Maidan from the west, Secunderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of the army grounds at Secunderabad (now in Andhra Pradesh), taken by Lala Deen Dayal. In the 19th century era of pioneering photography mostly dominated by Europeans in India, Deen Dayal earned renown as a hugely successful Indian photographer. Born to a Jaina family in Sardhana near Meerut, he studied photography while an engineering student, and took it up professionally encouraged by mentors such as Sir Henry Daly. His technical excellence and attention to detail made him much in demand and he took official photographs of colonial events and administrators, including Lord Dufferin, Viceroy 1884-88. In 1884 he was appointed court photographer to the Nizam of Hyderabad and founded a studio in Secunderabad which is still run by his descendents today. He specialised in portraiture and Indian views. 

Secunderabad is situated in Andhra Pradesh next to Hyderabad, its older twin city (founded c. 1590). In 1798 the Nizam of Hyderabad, Sikander Jah, entered into a subsidiary alliance with the British East India Company, involving military and political cooperation. Under the alliance an area north of Hussain Sagar lake was to be made a cantonment. Soon after the alliance was signed 5,000 British troops arrived and camped north of Hyderabad; the cantonment was laid out in 1806 and named after the Nizam, and thus was Secunderabad founded. Initially it encompassed an area of four square miles and had a population of 5,000 troops plus several thousand civilians, however 60 years later it had increased to 17 square miles and the population, including the armed forces was 50,000. The town continued to develop as its military functions and business opportunities drew large numbers of people from the surrounding rural areas.

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View of Maula Ali Hill near Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of a view of Maula Ali Hill near Hyderabad. This print was by an unknown photographer in the 1870s and is part of the Temple Collection. Maula Ali Hill is situated 6.5 km (4 miles) west of Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh. The Shrine of Maula Ali is located here, together with a mosque and other ancient ruins including an old fortress and a large prehistoric cemetery.

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Panorama of Chaderghat, from Black Rock, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Panoramic view in two parts of the racecourse at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s. This is from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. 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. The town was laid out in a grid pattern with two main roads running east to west and north to south. The Char Minar, or Four Towers, built in 1591, sits at the intersection of these two roads. 

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Husain Sagar Tank from Saifabad, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

View of the Husain Sagar lake to the north of Hyderabad, photographed by Deen Dayal in the 1880s. This is from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. Husain Sagar is an artificial lake which divides the twin cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. The lake was created in the 16th century by Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah (r.1550-80) and named after Husain Shah Wali, who had helped the sultan recover from illness. It was created by enlarging an existing small stone dam across the valley. The lake supplied the townspeople with water as well as irrigating the surrounding land. 

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Falaknamar Palace, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of the Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad taken by an unknown photographer in the 1900s. The photograph is from an album containing views of various locations in India, formerly in the collection of Horatio Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, (1850-1916), who was Commander in Chief of India between 1902 and 1909.

Falaknuma literally means Mirror of the Sky. The palace was designed in 1872 by an English architect as the private residence of a rich Muslim grandee but in 1897 was purchased for use as a guest house by the Nizam. The front facade is in Palladian style, while the rear building, the Zenana is in Indo-saracenic style. The interior is equally opulent containing a marble entrance hall with an Italian staircase and a fountain. King George V and Queen Mary stayed here in 1906 and electric lights were installed for the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1926.

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The Faluk-numa Palace, Hyderabad - Ancient 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.

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Langar procession of Mohurram, at Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of a Muharram procession in Hyderabad, Andrea Pradesh, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s. This is part of the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calender and is often called the Muslim 'Month of Mourning'. It commemorates the martydom of the saint Imam Husain, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson. Lavishly decorated tazivas (bamboo and paper replicas of the martyr's tomb) are carried through the streets. Mourners beat their breasts accompanied by musicians, dancers and wrestlers. Scenes are enacted of the battle at Karbala where Imam Husain was martyred in 61 AH/680 AD. Husain is the third Shi'ite Imam and is greatly revered by Shi'ites and Sunnis alike. 

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Bund, Miralum Tank, 1902-03, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of the Bund, Mir Alam Tank, Hyderabad, from the Macnabb Collection (Col James Henry Erskine Reid): Album of Indian views taken in c.1902-03. The Mir Alam Tank was built by French engineers and named after Mir Alam, the prime minister from 1804-1808. It shows impressive engineering with 21 arches holding over 20.7 square km (8 square miles) of water. 

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A fascinating glimpse of Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Stereographic photograph of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, taken by James Ricalton in c. 1903, from The Underwood Travel Library: Stereoscopic Views of India. 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. The town was laid out in a grid pattern with two main roads running east to west and north to south; the Char Minar sits at the intersection of these two roads. The Char Minar, or Four Towers, seen in the background of this view, was built in 1591 to mark the centre of the city. This ceremonial structure comprises four imposing arched portals with arcaded storeys and geometric screens above. The four corner minarets are crowned with domical finials. They contain spiral staircases opening onto triple tiers of balconies. This image is described by Ricalton in 'India Through the Stereoscope' (1907), "Two of the Nizam's state elephants have intruded athwart the street and obstructed our view...These two have just come out from the great archway on the left; they are being brought out in readiness to convey some traveler to Golconda." This is one of a series of 100 photographs, designed to be viewed through a special binocular viewer, producing a 3D effect, which were sold together with a book of descriptions and a map. Stereoscopic cameras, those with two lenses and the ability to take two photographs at the same time, were introduced in the mid 19th century.

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The Afzal Ganj Hospital, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph from the Elgin Collection: 'Autumn Tour 1895. Vol II', of the Afzal Ganj Hospital at Hyderabd, taken by Deen Dayal, 14th November 1895. Hyderabad is situated on the River Musi in Andhra Pradesh, south India. The Afzal Ganj Hospital (now Osmania General Hospital) was opened in 1866 with 30 beds and also served as a teaching institution to the students of the Hyderabad Medical School. The building was partially damaged in the unprecedented floods in the Musi River in 1908 and a new building to accommodate 500 in-patients was constructed in 1926. 

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The Grand Race Stand, Malikpett, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

View of the stand at Malakpet, photographed by Deen Dayal in the 1880s, from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. Originally the Nizams of Hyderabad attended horse races at the Moula Ali Racecourse, known as the Hyderabad (Decca) Races, a few miles from the city. In 1886 Nizam Mir Mahbub Ali Khan had the racecourse moved to Malakpet, nearer his residence. The Nizam was a keen patron of horseracing and established the Nizam's Cup. The racing season always took place in the Monsoon season and was conducted under the auspices of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club. Later a regular racecourse was constructed on land belonging to the nearby Secunderabad Cantonment. This is a view of crowds watching a race from the stands at Malakpet. 

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The Mills, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of mills at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, Curzon Collection: '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. This is a view of the mills and the nearby canal.

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Old Mosque at Khairtabad - Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of a mosque at Khairatabad, a suburb of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s, from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. Lala Deen Dayal (1844-1905) was educated as an engineer before becoming a professional photographer at the age of 30. He travelled extensively across the country carting heavy loads of equipment in bullock carts to record India's cultural heritage. In 1884 he became an official photographer to the Nizam of Hyderabad, with studios in Secunderabad and Indore. 

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Principal Street, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of a street in Hyderabad looking towards the Char Minar, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s. This is from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. 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. The town was laid out in a grid pattern with two main roads running east to west and north to south; the Char Minar, or Four Towers, sits at the intersection of these two roads. This ceremonial strucuture was built in 1591 to mark the centre of the city. It comprises four imposing arched portals with arcaded storeys and geometric screens above. The four corner minarets, crowned with domical finials, contain spiral staircases opening onto triple tiers of balconies. The Mecca mosque, begun in 1617, can be seen to the right of this image. 

Hyderabad was founded besides the River Musi in Andhra Pradesh in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (1562-1612) as a more salubrious alternative to his capital at Golconda. The town was laid out in an unusual grid pattern with two main roads running east to west and north to south, at the intersection of which was Hyderabad's most famous building, the Char Minar (1591). Hyderabad was made up of four sections; the north-western section was set apart for royal palaces and state offices; the north-eastern for residencies of the nobles. It was an extremely prosperous and cosmopolitan city attracting merchants from Asia and Europe. Many of the city's buildings were destroyed as it expanded and much more was destroyed in the disastrous flooding of 1908.

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Musi River view, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of the River Musi near Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh photographed by Deen Dayal in the 1880s. This is from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. The Musi, a tributary of the Krishna, or Kistna river, is 52 miles long from its source in the western Anantgiri hills to the eastern boundary of Hyderabad city. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (r.1580-1612) founded Hyderabad city beside the River Musi in 1591. 

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Distant view of City, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

View looking over outlying buildings and palm groves towards the city of Hyderabad, Andrea Pradesh, photographed by Deen Dayal in the 1880s. This is from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. 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. The town was laid out in a grid pattern with two main roads running east to west and north to south; the Char Minar, or Four Towers, sits at the intersection of these two roads. Nizam al-Mulk, entitled Asaf Jah (d. 1748), founded the Asafi Jahi dynasty in 1724. The rulers, known as the Nizams of Hyderabad, reigned until 1948. 

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Bridge over the River Musi, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Pen-and-ink and wash drawing of a bridge over the River Musi at Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, dated c.1830. The image is inscribed on the front in ink: 'Bridge over the Moosa, Hyderabad, No. 45.' Hyderabad, situated on the River Musi, is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and one of the largest cities in India. Taylor spent a large part of his career in India in the service of the Nizam of Hyderabad, in the role of soldier, adminstrator, Superintendant of Bazaars and Assistant Superintendant of Police for the southwestern districts of Hyderabad

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Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s, from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. The Mecca Masjid at Hyderabad is one of the largest mosques in the south of India; it can accommodate 10,000 worshippers at prayers. Construction began under Muhammad Qutb Shah in 1614 however it was not completed until 1693 by Aurangzeb. It was constructed from huge granite boulders that were hewn locally. Small red bricks believed to have come from Mecca are positioned above the central arch. The mosque contains the tombs of the Nizams of the Asaf Jahi dynasty from 1803 onwards. This is a view of the main facade with its five arched entrances. The prayer hall contains five aisles, three bays deep. The cicular corner minars, with octagonal balconies, are small in height; they were never carried above parapet level. The capping domes were added later by the Mughals.

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Street view, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of a main street in Hyderabad, looking towards the Char Minar, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s. This is from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. 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. The town was laid out in a grid pattern with two main roads running east to west and north to south; the Char Minar sits at the intersection of these two roads. The Char Minar, or Four Towers, was built in 1591 to mark the centre of the city. This ceremonial structure comprises four imposing arched portals with arcaded storeys and geometric screens above. The four corner minarets are crowned with domical finials. They contain spiral staircases opening onto triple tiers of balconies.

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Panoramic view of Nizam's Chowmahela Palace, Hyderabad

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'. Hyderabad was the capital of the Nizams of Hyderabad, who ruled over one of the largest states in India. The dynasty was founded in the early 18th century by Asaf Jah (d. 1748). Asaf Jah began as the Mughal governor of the region before he declared his independence and established a dynasty which ruled for seven generations until 1948. 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.

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The Drawing Room of Chowmahela Palace, Hyderabad

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'. Hyderabad was the capital of the Nizams of Hyderabad, who ruled over one of the largest states in India from 1724 until 1948. The dynasty was founded in the early 18th century by Nizam al-Mulk, entitled Asaf Jah (d. 1748), who arrived in the Deccan as the Mughal governor before declaring his independence. 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.

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The Terrace of Jehanuma Palace, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of the Jahannuma Palace, Hyderabad, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s, from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. The Jahannuma (View of the World) Palace is situated about a mile and a half outside the city of Hyderabad. It was one of the residencies of Nawab Sham-ul-Umara (1780-1863), a nobleman of the court of the Nizams of Hyderabad, otherwise known by his title 'Amir Kabir'. He was an outstanding geometrician and survived three generations of Nizams as 'Commander of the household troops'. The gardens and grounds were laid out by the Nawab in 1822-3. In the rear of the building there was a large menagerie of wild animals.

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The Afzul Mahel, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

View of the Afzal Mahal in Hyderabad, photographed by Deen Dayal in the 1880s, from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. Hyderabad was the capital of the Nizams of Hyderabad, who ruled over one of the largest states in India from 1724 until 1948. The dynasty was founded in the early 18th century by Nizam al-Mulk, entitled Asaf Jah (d.1748). The Afzal Mahal is a two storeyed building with a classical facade of Corinthian columns. It is one of four palaces in the Chaumhalla Palace complex, commenced in 1750.

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Mir Alum Lake, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of the Mir Alam Lake, near the city of Hyderabad, Andrea Pradesh, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s. This is from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. The Mir Alam Tank, near Hyderabad, is a fine piece of engineering with 21 arches around the periphery, holding 20.7 sq. km (8 square miles) of water. It was built by French engineers and named after Mir Alam, the prime minister of the Nizam of Hyderabad from 1804-1808.

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The entrance bridge to City, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of the entrance bridge to the city of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. This view was taken by Lala Deen Dayal (1844-1905) in the 1880s. Dayal took up photography in the 1870s and in 1884 became official photographer to the Nizam of Hyderabad, with studios in Secunderabad and Indore. 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 from 1724 to 1948. The dynasty was founded by Nizam al-Mulk, entitled Asaf Jah (d. 1748) who had arrived in the Deccan as the Mughal governor before declaring his independence. During their time in power the Nizams constructed many buildings of architectural importance.

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The Residency Chaderghat, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of the British Residency in Hyderabad, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s, from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. The building was instigated by Colonel James Achilles Kirkpatirck (1764-1805), the British Resident who ousted the French and established British supremacy in Hyderabad in 1798. He negotiated several treaties on behalf of the Governor-General with the Nizam of Hyderabad before he died while on a visit to Calcutta in 1805. The Residency was designed by Samuel Russell, son of the artist John Russell (1744-1806) and was built between 1803 and 1806. The construction was paid for by the Nizam of Hyderabad. This is a view of the front of the building with its Corinthian portico crowned by a pediment showing the arms of the East India Company. Colossal lion sculptures flank the steps up to the entrance.

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Bashir-bagh Palace, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of the Bashir Bagh Palace, Hyderabad, Andrea Pradesh, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s, from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. The Palace was constructed by Asman Jah who was Prime Minister of Hyderabad from 1887 to 1894. The palace has since been dismantled, however the area is still known as Basheerbagh.

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The interior of Bashir-bagh Palace, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of a drawing room in the Bashir Bagh Palace in Hyderabad, taken by Deen Dayal in the 1880s, from the Curzon Collection: 'Views of HH the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad, Deccan, 1892'. This is a view of a richly furnished drawing room in the Bashir Bagh Palace. The Palace was constructed by Asman Jah who was Prime Minister of Hyderabad from 1887 to 1894. The palace has since been dismantled, however the area is still known as Basheerbagh.

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The Residency, Hyderabad - Ancient Photos

Photograph of the Residency, Hyderabad taken by an unknown photographer in the 1900s. The photograph is from an album containing views of various locations in India, formerly in the collection of Horatio Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, (1850-1916), who was Commander in Chief of India between 1902 and 1909.

The Residency at Hyderabad was initiated by Colonel James Achilles Kirkpatirck, the British Resident who ousted the French and established British supremacy in Hyderabad in 1798. It was designed by Samuel Russell, son of the artist John Russell (1744-1806) and was built between 1803 and 1806. The construction was paid for by the Nizam of Hyderabad. On the front of the building is a Corinthian portico crowned by a pediment showing the arms of the East India Company. It now houses the University College for Women.

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Munshi and teachers of Lord Harris's School, Royapett, Madras

Photograph of a group of three Indian and one European teacher at Lord Harris's School, Royapett, Madras in Tamil Nadu from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections: India Office Series (Volume 46), taken in the 1860s by a photographer from the Madras School of Industrial Arts. The munshi, mentioned in the title, is most probably the figure seated on the left and denotes a teacher of languages. In India vernacular education (in the local language) was considered a special obligation for the Government from 1854 when it was declared a concern by the Court of Directors. The vernacular course covered both primary and secondary education and was carried out in many different types of establishment depending on the resources of the area. The Imperial Gazetteer of India states, "There are three classes of secondary schools - the vernacular and English middle schools, and the high schools...The English secondary school stage is divided into middle and high school sections, which really form portions of the same course...the English school education should ordinarily be completed by the time the pupil attained the age of sixteen...In English secondary schools the main course has hitherto led up to the matriculation or entrance examination of one or other of the Universities."

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