Chowmahalla Palace

Chowmahalla ('Four Palaces') was the principal residence of the Asaf Jahi Nizams of Hyderabad, who ruled the largest princely state of British India from 1724 to 1948. The complex was begun in 1750 by Nizam Salabat Jung and completed under Nizam Afzal-ud-Daulah, Asaf Jah V (1857–1869). The architectural inspiration was the Shah of Iran's palace at Tehran — the four named palaces (Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal, Aftab Mahal, and Afzal Mahal) form a quadrangle around a central rectangular courtyard. The Khilwat Mubarak ('Royal Seat') was the durbar hall — its 19 spectacular Belgian crystal chandeliers, marble platform, and gilded throne are intact. The Council Chamber holds the durbar weapons, the Nizam's robes, his collection of vintage Rolls-Royces, and a 41-foot Mughal-era painted scroll showing Asaf Jah V's procession through Hyderabad in 1858. The Mughal mansab clock, said to never have stopped in 250 years, still chimes hourly. The Aga Khan Trust restoration completed in 2010 won UNESCO's Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award. The complex is owned by Princess Esra, the eighth Nizam Mukarram Jah's first wife. Allow three hours. Closed Fridays.