Charminar

Standing in the heart of the old walled city this huge triumphal arch was built by Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah in 1591 to commemorate the end of the plague in Hyderbad. It's surrounded on all sides by lively bazaars and the views from the top are superb. An image of this building graces every packet of 'Charminar' cigarettes which hoardings all over India assure you are the only brand which 'satisfy a man like you'. The monument is open every day and entry costs Rs 0.50. No guides are necessary.

Mecca Masjid

Situated next to the Charminar, this is one of the largest mosques in the world and is said to accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers. Construction began during the reign of Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah in 1614 but was not finished until 1687, by which time the Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb had annexed the Golconda kingdom. The colonnades and door arches are made out of single slabs of granite which history records were quarried 11 km away and dragged to the site by a team of 1400 bullocks! The minarets were originally planned to have been much higher than they are but the enormous cost of erecting the main part of the building apparently forced the ruler to settle for something less grand. It's definitely a very beautiful and impressive building but disfigured by huge awnings of chicken wire which have presumably been erected to stop birds nesting in the ceiling and liming the floor. Nevertheless, they still get in and the steel supports which have been carelessly cemented into the tiled and patterned floor to hold this netting is nothing short of vandalism.

To the left of the mosque is an enclisure containing the tombs of the Nizans.

Salar Jang Museum

This is India's answer to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The collection was put together by Mir Yusif Ali Khan (Salnr Jang 111), the Prime Minister of the Nizam. It contains 35,000 exhibits drawn from the four corners of the world including sculptures, wood carvings, religious objects, Persian miniature paintings, illuminated manuscripts, armour and weaponry, the swords, daggers and clothing of the Moghul emperors and of Tipu Sultan, and many other objects. All of this is housed in one of the ugliest builiings imaginable. All bags and cameras have to be deposited in the luggage office in the entrance hall — there's no charge for this and it's secure. Refreshments are available inside. Avoid going there on Sundays as it's bedlam (seems half the population of Hyderabad are there on this day'.

Archaeological Museum

Situated in the public gardens between Nampally High Rd and the branch railway line which leads to Hyderabad railway station the museum has a small collection of archaeological finds from the area together with copies of the Ajanta froscoes. It's supposed to be open daily except Mondays but appears to be semi 'under construction'.

Birla Mandir

BirlaMandir (Naubat Prahad) Temple This stunningly beautiful modem Hindu temple, built out of white marble, grace the rocky hill which overlooks the south end of Hussain Sagar. It's a very popular Hindu pilgrimage centre but non-Hindus are allowed inside. There's no entry fee and the priests make no efforts to press you for con-tributions. There are excellent views overthe city from the summit.

Golconda Fort & the Tombs of the Qutab Shahi Kings

Nehru Zoological Park