Hyderabad, India

Hyderabad (????????? in Telugu, ???????? in Urdu), the 5th largest metropolis of India http://www.world-gazetteer.com/t/t_in.htm, is the capital of the present day State of Andhra Pradesh. It is known for its rich history and culture with monuments, mosques, temples, and a rich and varied heritage in arts, crafts and dance. Hyderabad and Secunderabad are Twin cities, separated by Hussain Sagar (also known as Tank Bund), an artificial lake constructed during the time of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah Wali in 1562.

Origin of the Name

Hyderabad was named by a prince Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, who then became theSultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. He named it after a Hindu danseuse (devadasi) named Bhagmathi, who he fell in love with and married despite opposition from his father, the then king Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. When Mohammad Quli founded the city, he named it Bhagyanagar in her honour. When she embraced Islam and changed her name to "Hyder Mahal," the city's name was changed to match it and has since been called Hyderabad, literally, "the city of Hyder."

Related Topics:
Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah - Sultan - Qutb Shahi dynasty - Devadasi - Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah - Islam

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~