This past weekend I was invited to stay with my friend Rashmi’s house with her family. She is in my political theory class and has already taught me a lot about Indian culture and politics. This weekend she took me to several historical sites around Hyderabad and I had an intensive history lesson of Hyderabad. I went to so many cool places in one weekend, I felt like I went on a trip, but I really just stayed in the city.
I went to Rashmi’s place on friday afternoon after class. I met her family and has some masala puri and pani puri at a roadside stand. It was delicious even though I was afraid I would get sick since I don’t know where the water is coming from to make the food. Anyways, it was delicious.
The next day we woke up early to head over to the Birla Temple which is entirely made out of white marble and is situated on top of a hill with a spectacular view of the city. I didn’t take any photos since the last temple I went to said I couldn’t take any.
Afterward we had dosas for breakfast then rode around the city on her moped looking for something to do. Since it was the 2nd Saturday of the month museums were closed. We had some sugar can juice from a roadeside vendor then she took me to a building at Osmania University where most of the recent confrontations between the Telangana supporters and police has taken place.
In the afternoon we went to the Paigah Tombs. It was constructed in the late 1700’s but additions were made in the 1800’s also. It was for the family members of the Paigah nobles.
The next day we went on a tour of the old city. It took us to Charminar, through Laad Bazzar, and up to Chowmallah Palace. Several of the buildings were in bad conditions but it didn’t take away from the tour. The grandeur of the Nizams was still obvious and the architecture was interesting since it incorporated symbols from both Islam and Hinduism and designs from several dynasties.
That’s a street in the old city and the other people in the group with us.
Afterward we went to the Nizam Museum and looked at the riches they owned. It is incredible to see their wealth and how they used it. Everything was golden or covered in precious gems.
Here are pictures from the weekend!
Rashmi and her younger sister in their backyard. They were showing me their garden and are growing several vegetables and fruits.
He sharpens knives with his cycle. There were sparks flying everywhere but it didn’t show up in the photo.
Sugarcane juice maker. It was my first glass ever and it was delicious, plus I didn’t get the runs like everyone said I would.
Charminar, where we started our walk.
He was looking at me, so I clicked a picture. It’s a shame it turned out so blurry.
This is a row of shops, but since it was 8am, they were all closed. Things usually get going sometime after lunch time.
Once was an old palace, now people come to play cricket.
Chowmahalla palace.
A bangles shop in Laad Baazar. I bought a few bangles here. There are tons of stalls here and when you enter the street, there are at least three shop keepers trying to get you to enter their stall. This bazaar is well known for having the things that are needed for weddings, especially jewelry. I’m terrible at bargaining so I let Rashmi do it for me. I left very happy.
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