We had our train to Hyderabad at 5:30 PM on a Friday evening, which was a bit of a problem for me since it was a working day. Normally, taking leave at my company isn’t an issue—I can just say, Okay, I’ll be on leave tomorrow, and that’s it. No questions asked. But since I’m currently on my notice period, I’m not allowed to take leaves, which was a problem because I needed two days off for this trip—Friday and Monday.
I was really worried about how this would pan out since I desperately want to leave this company, and I didn’t want anything to mess that up. But I had no choice. So, I decided to take an "emergency sick leave." On Friday morning at 8 AM, I texted both my leads, saying I was really sick and wouldn’t be able to work. Then I went back to sleep. When I woke up, I saw my lead had replied: Why? What happened? Is it really that bad? Won’t you be able to work at all? I simply responded, Yeah, no. Not possible. And that was it. She didn’t bring up my notice period or anything, so I was in the clear.
With that out of the way, I packed my bags and reached the railway station by 3:30 PM. I didn’t mind reaching early as it gave us time to watch some series and take a few pictures around the station. Then, at 5:30, we boarded our train.
Our train was from Chennai to Hyderabad, and since it started from Chennai, our compartment was practically empty when we boarded. We had some time to just chill, and since it was sunset, we clicked some really cool pictures. Then, our journey officially began.
Our train to Hyderabad
Our train to Hyderabad
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We reached Hyderabad at 8:30 in the morning and had booked a traveler’s hostel - Zostel for ourselves and two of our friends. We’d be sharing a dorm-style room. By the time we got to the hostel around 9 AM, check-in wasn’t until 11:30, but since our friends had already arrived, we left our bags with them, freshened up, grabbed some breakfast, and then checked in later.
Hyderabad Railway Station
Hyderabad Railway Station
Our Home for the Weekend
Our Home for the Weekend
Char Minaar
The next stop was the Char minaar. This was my third time visting the monument and I was still awestruck by it's beauty. Granted, the first time was during my school trip in the 6th grade but I recently visited Char minaar just last year. And I fell in love with it as soon as I laid eyes on it.
Char Minaar - meaning Four towers, the towers are elaboare minarets supported by four grand arches. Built in the year 1591 it is a monument of great historical and religious significance in India. There exists a mosque on its top floor for over 400 years. It is believed that the Char Minar was constructed in the heart of the city by the ruler, Qutb Shah, to commemorate the extermination of a deadly plague. The structure is made of granite, limestone, mortar and pulverized marble. A fact that surprised me while I was researching for this post was that it took only 0.9 million INR to build this monument in the 1500s and the construction was completed in just 2 years.
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For a small fee, visitors are allowed inside to explore the interior of the minars. Although, as compared to the glad exterior, the interior is relatively simple but beautiful. There are spiral staircases winding up the minars that can be a little claustrophobic, however I did not face any issue. The first floor has a series of arched galleries surrounding the structure, offering breathtaking views of the city of Hyderabad. It also offers a beautiful view of the Mecca Masjid situated just beside the Char Minaar.
The spiral staircase
The spiral staircase
View from the minar balcony windows
Interiors of the Char Minar
Interiors of the Char Minar
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View of the Masjid from the Char Minaar
View of the Masjid from the Char Minaar
Bustling markets around the Minar
Bustling markets around the Minar
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The Mecca Masjid
It is one of the largest and oldest mosques in Hyderabad, located just beside the Char Minar. The construction was completed just before the 1700, by one of India's most prominent Mughal rulers, Aurangzeb. The structure is made of granite having massive pillars and domes decorated with intricate carvings.
Mosque Courtyard
Mosque Courtyard
Women are usually not allowed in mosques but in this particular place, women can enter the mosque premises and courtyard. The main prayer hall remains restricted to men. Women mandatorily need to cover their head and dress modestly if they would like to visit the mosque.
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Bansilalpet Stepwell
One of my friends recently visited Hyderabad and on his Instagram stories, I saw this beautiful place that looked like it was carved into the ground. There was traditional music and dances being performed on the steps. I was instantly enchanted by this unique architectural structure and asked him for more details. And of course, it was added to my itinerary for this Hyderabad trip.
Bansilalpet Stepwell
Bansilalpet Stepwell
This well was restored by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and 'The Rainwater Project' in 2022 and it recently opened up for tourists. You wouldn't know that such a place exists as it surrounded by apartment buildings, people living their everyday lives, making it a definition of "hidden gem" offering a glimpse in to Hyderabad's history amidst the modern day chaos.
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There is also a gallery in the Bansilalpet Stepwell's premises that showcases the stepwell's history, its restoration process and its significance in Hyderabad's heritage. The displays are simple but informative with a blend of photographs taken at various stages of restoration, sketches, descriptions explaining everything. It definitely is a unique journey to know how the well was rediscovered and brought back to it's old glory.
Plaque detailing the history and restoration of Bansilalpet Stepwel
Plaque detailing the history and restoration of Bansilalpet Stepwel
Stepwell Restoration Process
Stepwell Restoration Process
Unfortunately, the dance and music performances have specific timings and so we couldn't catch them. Even though, it was a place worth visiting.
Qutub Shahi Tombs
On the last day of our trip, we visited the tombs and mosques constructed by several Sultans of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. It spans across a vast area which would require an hour to explore everything. We couldn't see all the tombs because it was very sunny and we had our luggage with us too. There are 7 tombs in the complex for the 7 rulers of the dynasty.
Tomb of Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk
Tomb of Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk
The interiors of the Qutub Shahi Tombs are just as captivating as their exteriors. Inside, the tombs have high, arched ceilings that create a spacious feel. The walls are adorned with intricate stucco work, featuring floral and geometric patterns. They depict Indo-Islamic and Persian artistic influences. The praying areas or 'Mihrabs' are beautifully decorated as well.
Interiors of the Tombs
Interiors of the Tombs
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The thing that most impressed me were the doors and entrances. The doorframes have gorgeous carvings, including delicate calligraphy and floral motifs. Some tombs also have Persian inscriptions giving details about the rulers and their reign. The blend of simplicity and elegance inside makes the experience truly awe-inspiring.
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Entrances to the Tombs
Entrances to the Tombs
Then we visited the two smaller tombs as compared to some of the grander ones in the complex. They belong to Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah who ruled during the 1550 and his son.
Twin Tombs of Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah and Subhan Quli Qutb Shah
Twin Tombs of Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah and Subhan Quli Qutb Shah
That's all for this post folks! Hope you enjoyed this virtual tour of Hyderabad with me😍.