Hyderabad

Capital city of the southern central Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, on the River Musi; population (2001 est) 3,449,900. Products include carpets, silks, and metal inlay work. More recently industries such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, electrical machinery, cigarettes, and chemicals have become important. It was formerly the capital of the state of Hyderabad. Buildings include the Jama Masjid mosque and Golconda fort. It is an important educational and research centre, and is the site of Osmania University (1918) and the University of Hyderabad (1974).

The princely state of Hyderabad, which occupied the greater part of the Deccan, was by far the largest of India's princely states. In 1956 the state of Hyderabad was divided between Maharashtra, Mysore, and Andhra Pradesh.

Early history Hyderabad was the centre of Muslim power in central and southern India from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Founded in 1589 as the capital of the Golconda kingdom, it was subsequently ruled by a succession of Muslim Nizams from 1724. In 1591 the Char Minar (a structure consisting of four arches carrying four minarets), the Darulshifa (hospital), and the large Mecca Masjid (mosque) were built within the old walled city; this contrasts with the more open, regular plan of the original British military settlement of Secunderabad.

European involvement In the 18th century the French and the British supported rival claimants to the succession until the British finally concluded a treaty with the Nizam in 1766. The state came under British protection in 1799. During the Indian Mutiny the rulers of Hyderabad sided with the British, and were subsequently rewarded with additional territory. The Nizam opposed accession to India at independence, and declared Hyderabad an independent state; the resulting violence was ended only after the intervention of the Indian Army to take control in September 1948.

Hyderabad

City in Sind province, southeast Pakistan, lying on the east bank of the Indus River, 150 km/95 mi northeast of Karachi; population (1998) 1,166,900, (2007 calc) 1,447,300. Industries include textiles, cement, glass and soap, pottery, tanneries, and film; handicraft industries, including silver and gold work, lacquerware, ornamented silks, and embroidered leather saddles, are also well established. Hyderabad is a major commercial centre for the agricultural produce of the surrounding area, including millet, rice, wheat, cotton, and fruit. There is a thermal power station nearby.

The site of Hyderabad was occupied before the 8th century, but the modern city was founded in 1768 by Ghulam Shah, with his fort and palace as important features. The city was the capital of Sind until the province was captured by the British in 1843.

Hyderabad is the home of the University of Sind (founded in Karachi in 1947). Other higher education establishments are the Liaqat Medical College and agricultural and commercial colleges.