Hyderabad, recognized phonetically as /ˈhaɪdərəbæd/ ⓘ HY-dər-ə-bad, boasts its status as the capital and the largest urban expanse in the Indian state of Telangana. It spans an extensive 650 km2 (250 sq mi) across the Deccan Plateau, nestled along the Musi River’s banks in the northern precinct of Southern India. Situated at an average altitude of 542 m (1,778 ft), a significant portion of Hyderabad unfolds across undulating terrain surrounding man-made reservoirs, including the venerable Hussain Sagar lake, predating the city’s inception in the northern realms of the city center.

According to the 2011 Census of India, Hyderabad stands as the fourth-most populous city in India, boasting a resident populace of 6.9 million within the city’s confines. Furthermore, its metropolitan region hosts an additional 9.7 million inhabitants, securing its position as the sixth-most populous metropolitan area in the country. Notably, with an economic output amounting to a staggering US$74 billion, Hyderabad claims the distinction of possessing the fifth-largest urban economy in India.

The origins of Hyderabad trace back to 1591 when Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, a luminary of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, envisioned its establishment as an extension of the capital beyond the fortified Golconda. However, it wasn’t until 1687 that the city found itself annexed by the Mughals. Subsequently, in 1724, Asaf Jah I, the Mughal viceroy, declared his sovereignty and inaugurated the Asaf Jahi dynasty, colloquially referred to as the Nizams.

A pivotal chapter in Hyderabad’s history unfolded as it served as the imperial capital of the Asaf Jahis from 1769 to 1948. During its tenure as the capital of the princely state of Hyderabad, the city accommodated the British Residency and cantonment until the dawn of Indian independence in 1947. Post-annexation by the Indian Union in 1948, Hyderabad persisted as the capital of Hyderabad State from 1948 to 1956. The subsequent introduction of the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 resulted in Hyderabad being designated as the capital of the newly formed Andhra Pradesh.

A significant turn of events occurred in 2014 when Andhra Pradesh underwent a division, giving rise to the state of Telangana. Hyderabad subsequently assumed the role of the joint capital of the two states, governed by a transitional arrangement scheduled to conclude in 2024. Since 1956, the city has housed the Rashtrapati Nilayam, serving as the winter office for the President of India.

Echoes of the Qutb Shahi and Nizam eras persist in modern Hyderabad, with the iconic Charminar embodying the city’s essence. With the decline of the Mughal Empire in the Deccan by the end of the early modern era, the Nizam’s patronage beckoned men of letters from across the globe. This cultural amalgamation, rooted in the collaboration of local and migrant artisans, gave rise to a distinctive blend of painting, handicraft, jewelry, literature, dialect, and clothing, which continues to leave an indelible mark today. UNESCO recognizes Hyderabad for its culinary prowess, designating it as a creative city of gastronomy. The city’s Telugu film industry, headquartered within its bounds, proudly claims the title of the highest-grossing film industry in India as of 2021.

Historically renowned as the “City of Pearls” due to its flourishing pearl industry until the 19th century, Hyderabad served as the sole global trading center for Golconda diamonds. Many of the city’s historical and traditional bazaars persist in operation. Geographically positioned between the Deccan Plateau and the Western Ghats, coupled with industrialization in the 20th century, Hyderabad attracted significant Indian research, manufacturing, educational, and financial institutions.

Since the 1990s, the city has emerged as a hub for pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and information technology. The establishment of special economic zones like Hardware Park and HITEC City, exclusively dedicated to information technology, has successfully enticed leading multinational corporations to establish their operations in Hyderabad.