Purani Haveli

Location: Situated to the South east of Afzal Gunj Bridge near Dewandevdi.

How to reach: The Palace is about 3 kms. from Hyderabad (Nampally) railway station and 2 kms from Hyderabad bus station. Excellent private transport is available from all parts of the twin-cities.

Purani Haveli holds a special place for the Asaf Jahis as several Nizams were born here and spent parts of their lives. It is one of the most significant architectural landmarks of Hyderabad combining 18^th century European facades with traditional Indian courtyards.

Recalling its historical background, when the layout of the city of Hyderabad was being planned, the ruler of the kingdom, Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah earmarked a large estate for the residence of Hazrat Mir Momin, his Chief Adviser and peshwa (Prime Minister), who widely emerged as a saint and as a statesman.

The main building reminds you of the 18^th Century European architecture. Although the buildings in the complex were constructed in the second half of the 19^th Century during the reign of the sixth Nizam, Nawab Mir Mahboob Ali Khan Bahadur, the seventh Nizam, Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur added the auxiliary buildings with spacious court yards.

The complex also includes two annexes attached to the northern ends of the parallel wings. Both the wings are wider towards the southern end where they are only single storeyed, and have two vast courtyards surrounded by rooms and deep verandahs with semicircular European arches.

Some rooms still have their tiled walls and mosaic flooring intact, and their multitude colours recall the past glory of the palace. Part of the complex houses a library, the other the Mukarram Jah Technical Institute. One wing is now a museum housing the seventh Nizam’s collection of gifts made to him on the occasion of his silver jubliee on the throne, articles which form the exhibits in the Nizam’s museum, Hyderabad.

An absolute visual treat! Come and enjoy!