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| The Chowmahalla Palace |
I've been to this
place twice till date. Each time I'm here, I think of telling the world how beautiful
a place this is. :) Yet, always, there's something more I need to capture,
something more I need to spend time with. And then, I tell myself that I need
to gear up for another visit to do justice to it. I'd love to go back one day,
to spend a complete day, from the time they open to the time they shoo me off
:p. Nevertheless, here's a story on what all I could capture in the two short
visits I could pull off.
Chowmahalla, for
all its grandeur and oppulence was the residence of the erstwhile Nizams of
Hyderabad. Also, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chowmahalla literally means Chow
+ Mahal = 4 palaces, namely - Afzal Mahal, Aftab Mahal, Mahtab Mahal and Tahniyat
Mahal. It is claimed that the design and style of the palace was modeled
after the palace of the Shah of Iran.
As we enter the
palace, what we notice to our right and left are a series of rooms connected
with long corridors. The left wing was used for administrative purposes and the
right wing served as the royal guest house for important nobles who came to
meet the Nizam.
The Khilwath (Grand
Durbar Hall), where the Nizam held Durbar, is an important part of
the Palace, so important that the road which leads to Chowmahalla was named
after it.
Address - Chowmahalla Palace, Khilwath Road, Khilwat, Hyderabad.
Address - Chowmahalla Palace, Khilwath Road, Khilwat, Hyderabad.
Chandeliers - I
just can't get enough of them. The 19 chandeliers hung in the Khilwath are made
of spectacular Belgium crystals. They seem to bring back the lost splendour of
the regal hall. When the Chowmahalla Palace was fully functional, the palace
had 38 employees to dust chandeliers alone. Also, the palace has 6000 employees
on whole, which consisted of 3000 Arab bodyguards, and several others
specifically to grind the Nizam's walnuts.
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| Intricate stucco work. |
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The English
Bracket Clock is said to have been manufactured in England in the late 18th century.
The clock is enriched with lots of brass metallic mounds and has five dials
i.e., day, date , month, chime on 8 bells and cambridge chime. This mechanic
clock is one of the most unique objects of the palace. It has more than 500
parts and 20 functions.
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Painting of the Nizam.
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Rooms
of the Khilwath are now home to exhibits of several artifacts used by the
Nizam. Then there's a hall upstairs filled with exquisite imports from Europe
and China.
Also,
a side hall is home to several hand painted versions of the holy Quran. The
books are painted with real gold, beat that! Surely a must visit place in the Palace.
Unfortunately photography is not allowed in this chamber.
Next
stop is Afzal Mahal, where we get to see
the wardrobe of the richest man of the world, during his times. I'll not talk,
I'll not show. You should check them out yourselves. :)
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| Afzal Mahal |
I'll talk about one outfit, just one, coz I just can't afford to not talk about it.
The first time I heard what it's called, I knew I'm going to like it however it is. :D
It's Khada dupatta, six and a half metres in length, usually embroidered or woven silk, paired with a sleeveless kurti with a distinctive keyhole neckline. Under the kurti was worn a sleeved choli or blouse of coordinated fabric. Bottom was stitched from a rich brocaded silk of contrasting texture and colour.
Next we head to
Aftab Mahal, the grandest mahal of the four, with lots of European
influence.
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| The ceilings clad in intricate stucco work. |
Next
stop is my favouritest.
Vintage Cars. :D
Vintage Cars. :D
Back
then, Nizam's garage was home to 60 cars. Out of which the 'Rolls Royce Silver
Ghost Throne Car' of Nizam was made to order in the year 1911 with many special
features.The original body was painted in rich canary yellow with gold
mountings later re-bodied to reflect a 1930's style. All the body
hardware, lights and roof dome with its fleur-de-lis pattern were finished in
silver.
This car was sparingly used just for ceremonial occasions and in the last 100years it has done just 356 miles. It is a priceless car and represents the very important part of the Indian Automotive Heritage. Okay, I'll stop. :p
This car was sparingly used just for ceremonial occasions and in the last 100years it has done just 356 miles. It is a priceless car and represents the very important part of the Indian Automotive Heritage. Okay, I'll stop. :p
Clock Tower
This is the clock tower which houses the Khilwath clock. The clock has been ticking away ever since the palace was built. It is said that the people of the locality wait for its chimes and correct their own watches by the accuracy of this clock's timing.
This is the clock tower which houses the Khilwath clock. The clock has been ticking away ever since the palace was built. It is said that the people of the locality wait for its chimes and correct their own watches by the accuracy of this clock's timing.
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A lantern in the Bara Imam.
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