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Chowmahalla Palace

Coordinates: 17°21′30″N 78°28′18″E / 17.358247°N 78.471701°E / 17.358247; 78.471701
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Chowmahalla Palace
Afzal Mahal, Chowmahalla Palace
Map
General information
TypeRoyal Palace
LocationHyderabad, Telangana, India
Coordinates17°21′30″N 78°28′18″E / 17.358247°N 78.471701°E / 17.358247; 78.471701
Construction started1750
Completed1880s
Awards and prizesNational Tourism Award (Best Maintained and Differently abled Friendly Monument), 2017
Original useSeat of the Nizam of Hyderabad
Restored2005–2010
Restored byPrincess Esra
OwnerAzmet Jah

Chowmahalla Palace or Chowmahallat is the palace of the Nizams of Hyderabad State located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.[1] It was the seat of power of the Asaf Jahi dynasty (1720-1948) and was the official residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad during their reign. Presently the palace is converted into a museum but the ownership still lies with the family.[2]

The palaces is constructed at the location of an earlier existing palaces of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty and Asaf Jahi Dynasty[2] close to the Charminar. Construction of the palace as it stands today was started by Nizam Ali Khan Asaf Jah II [3] in 1769. He ordered to built four palace from which the nomenclature of Chau Mahalla was acquired.[4]The word chār or chahār, and its variation chow, means "four" and the word mahal means "palace" in Urdu, Hindi and Persian.[5]

History

Panoramic view in two parts of the Chowmahalla Palace at Hyderabad, photographed by Deen Dayal in the 1880s; the Charminar and Mecca Masjid are seen in the background (far right)
Drawing Room of Chowmahela Palace

While Salabat Jung initiated its construction in 1750, it was completed by the period of Afzal ad-Dawlah, Asaf Jah V between 1857 and 1869.[6][7]

The palace is unique for its style and elegance. Construction of the palace began in the late 18th century and over the decades a synthesis of many architectural styles and influences emerged. The palace consists of two courtyards as well as the grand Khilwat (the Dharbar Hall), fountains and gardens. The palace originally covered 45 acres (180,000 m2), but only 12 acres (49,000 m2) remain today.

Southern Courtyard

Chowmahalla Palace interior with chandeliers
Watch Tower gate of Chowmahalla Palace
Ornate with intricate stucco work, this is one of the two windows that flank the facade of the durbar hall

This is the oldest part of the palace, and has four palaces Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal and Aftab Mahal. It was built in the neo-classical style.

Mehtab Mahal

The Mehtab Mahal houses a library.[8]

Northern courtyard

This part has Bara Imam, a long corridor of rooms on the east side facing the central fountain and pool that once housed the administrative wing and Shishe-Alat, meaning mirror image.

It has Mughal domes and arches and many Persian elements like the ornate stucco work that adorn the Khilwat Mubarak. These were characteristics of buildings built in Hyderabad at the time.

Opposite the Bara Imam is a building that is its shishe or mirror image. The rooms were once used as guest rooms for officials accompanying visiting dignitaries.

Khilwat Mubarak

This is heart of Chowmahalla Palace. It is held in high esteem by the people of Hyderabad, as it was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. The grand pillared Durbar Hall has a pure marble platform on which the Takht-e-Nishan or the royal seat was laid. Here the Nizams held their durbar and other religious and symbolic ceremonies. The 19 spectacular Chandeliers of Belgium crystal recently reinstalled to recreate the lost splendor of this regal hall.

Clock Tower

The clock above the main gate to Chowmahalla Palace is affectionately called Khilwat Clock. It has been ticking away since 251 years. An expert family of horologists winds the mechanical clock every week.

Council Hall

This building housed a rare collection of manuscripts and priceless books. The Nizam often met important officials and dignitaries here. Today it is a venue for temporary exhibitions from the treasures of the Chowmahalla Palace Collection of the bygone era.

Roshan Bangla

The Sixth Nizam, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, is believed to have lived here and the building was named after his mother Roshan Begum.

The present Nizam (Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah) and his family decided to restore the Chowmahalla Palace and open it to the public in January 2005. It took over 5 years to document and restore the palaces of the first courtyard to its former glory. The palace also has a collection of vintage cars, including the Rolls-Royce, which were used by the Nizam Kings.

Conservation

Conservation works were initiated in Chowmahalla Palace from 2000, several conservation architects and experts were involved in more than a decade long journey.[9] The initiative was undertaken by Princess Esra Birgen. Before commencement of the works, the place fell in disuse for a prolonged period and deteriorated over the time. Vision for the restoration project was to rescue the exemplary palatial complex and to establish a contemporary civic use as a museum showcasing the splendour and valour of Nizams.[10]

The restoration process was divided into three stages, first stage involved thorough mapping, a fabric survey, and the development of conservation plans for the buildings' restoration as well as alternative re-use scenarios that might help assess the practicality of these historic buildings. In the second stage, structures that were in danger of collapsing had to be stabilised, and other urgent repairs like waterproofing and propping had to be made to prevent further damage. The complex's physical restoration as well as the addition of amenities to encourage the reuse of these structures were part of the final phase.[11]

In order to preserve the integrity of these ancient structures, the conservation of these complex was executed by using traditional craftsmen and techniques, and several building components were saved. from demolition.  Many architectural features, including granite arches, elaborate lime plaster work, and terracotta balusters, were restored carefully in their original design in addition to structural repairs and stabilisation.[11] Apart from bringing back the past glory of the palace complex and reviving traditional materials and craftsmanship, the project also created a cultural oasis in the heart of the city.[10]

The project was awarded with UNESCO Asia Pacific Merit award for cultural heritage conservation on March 15 2010.[10]UNESCO representative Takahiko Makino formally handed over the plaque and certificate to Princess Esra, former wife and GPA holder of Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur.[12][13]

Chowmahalla Museum

The focus of the displays in the museum is to depict the origin and evolution of Hyderabad, achievements and valuable contribution of the Nizams towards the development of the state and social lifestyle of the royal family.

The museum is distinctively divided into parts arranged around two quadrangle courtyard in North and South.

Northern Courtyard

The entrance to the museum in through the Northern courtyard. Durbar Hall or Kilawat Mubarak is the most spectacular portion of the complex and its grandeur and intricately ornamented surfaces with magnificent chandelier makes it an object of exhibit in itself.


See also

References

  1. ^ Jayyusi, Salma K.; Holod, Renata; Petruccioli, Attilio; Raymond, Andre (2008). The City in the Islamic World, Volume 94/1 & 94/2. BRILL. pp. 605–609. ISBN 978-9004162402.
  2. ^ a b Nayeem, Dr. M.A. (2009). The Royal Palaces of the Nizams. Hyderabad: Hyderabad Publisher. pp. 70–71. ISBN 9788185492261.
  3. ^ "Restoration of the Chowmahallatuu Palace Complex". RMA Architects. 2007. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  4. ^ Nayeem, Dr. M.A. (2009). The Royal Palaces of the Nizam. Hyderabad: Hyderabad Publisher. p. 74. ISBN 9788185492261.
  5. ^ 1 Fatma 2 Srivastva, 1 Tooba 2 Sangita (8 August 2020). "Grandeur of Nizam's Textiles and Clothing at Chowmahalla Palace, Hyderabad" (PDF). Textiles and Clothing Research Centre e-Journal. 4 (8): 1 – via Tcrc. {{cite journal}}: line feed character in |title= at position 45 (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Latif, Bilkees I. (2010). forgeten. ISBN 9780143064541. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  7. ^ "Chowmahalla Palace grandeur to be restored before monsoon". 26 June 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Royal treat for bibliophiles". The Hindu. 25 April 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  9. ^ "Restoration Of The Chowmahalla Palace Complex". RMA Architects. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  10. ^ a b c "Awarded Projects". UNESCO Bangkok. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  11. ^ a b Mehrotra, Rahul (15 March 2023). "RESTORATION OF THE CHOWMAHALLA PALACE COMPLEX". RMA Architects.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "UNESCO award for Chowmahalla Palace". 14 March 2011.
  13. ^ "Chowmohalla Palace gets UNESCO award". Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chowmahalla Palace.
  • The lost world: article by William Dalrymple about the last Nizam of Hyderabad and the restoration of Chowmahalla Palace
  • Travel guide issued by Authority: The Administrator, H.E.H The Nizam's Private Estate
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