Falaknuma Palace
The city of Hyderabad has been a historical city since many centuries. It has several palaces like Chowmohalla Palace, Purani Haveli, King Kothi Palace, Golconda Palace, Bella Vista Palace and Falaknuma Palace. Among those Falaknuma Palace is one the finest work and monument in Hyderabad, India.

Falaknuma Palace was built by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra the Prime Minister of Hyderabad who belonged the the Paigah family. The Nizams had lot of respect to the Paigah family who have served them for long years.

Falak-numa means “Like the Sky” or “the mirror of the Sky” and thus the name is. This palace is built in complete English architect designs by Sir Vicar and it took 9 years to complete the construction and interiors. It measures a total area of 93971 square meters. There is complete usage of Italian marbles with rare blends of Tudor architects.

One of the best worth see sight is the reception room where the ceiling is decorated with frescoes and gilded reliefs. Falaknuma palace has one the finest and the largest collections of rare treasures including furniture’s, manuscripts, books and paintings. The dining hall of the palace can seat up to 100 guests and chairs for it are made up of carved rosewood. It also includes the largest the collection of chandeliers with a count of 40 altogether.
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Sir Vicar UI Umar, the Prime minister of Hyderabad used it as his private residence. To construct this palace he had to borrow money and finally he realized that the budget has gone beyond his expectations. Then Lady Vicar ul Umra advised her husband to invite Mehboob Ali Pasha Nizam VI to the palace. The Nizam liked the palace, he pro longed his stay, and finally Vizar ul Umar offered him the palace. But the Nizam king paid all the borrowed money and eased them from financial breakdown.

Osler introduced the telephone and electrical systems in 1883 and it was among the rare places to get it in India. During the rule of Nizam, the palace being a private property nobody was allowed inside.

In 2000 Taj Hotels took over it and started renovating, restoring it. The renovated hotel then was opened in November 2010 with 60 luxurious rooms and the dining hall with 101 seats is the one of the largest in the world. The rooms can be booked online too.

On May – 10 – 2014

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