Located on the banks of the Musi River, Hyderabad is the largest and capital city of Andhra Pradesh. Situated on the Deccan plateau, the city of Hyderabad was established in 1591 CE by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. Later,seven Nizams ruled Hyderabad for two centuries until Indian independence in 1947. Renowned for its history and tradition, Hyderabad is noted for its unique culture, a lineage which can be traced back to the Asaf Jahi rulers, who were great patrons of literature, art,architecture, culture, jewelry collection and rich food. Hyderabad now competes with Bangalore, Chennai for the crown of India's IT capital; Microsoft and Google have their India headquarters here.
Hyderabad is a tourist destination and has many places of interest. Some of the hotspots which definitely ought to feature in your itinerary include Charminar, Golconda Fort, Hussain Sagar Lake, Salar Jung Museum and Ramoji Film Studio. A visit to Hyderabad will be incomplete without gorging on heavenly biryani near the Old City area or at nation famous Paradise Restaurant. Ladies should particularly make it a point to shop for pearls near the old city area. After all, there's a reason why Hyderabad has earned the endearing epithet of Pearl City. Accommodation in Hyderabad is unlikely to bust your budget, especially when compared to the metropolitan cities. Accommodation options are plentiful, however, it is always advisable to make prior reservation in a hotel which suits your budget. The best time to visit the city is from mid-November to mid-February.
