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Hyderabad, former princely state, S central India. The former princedom of Hyderabad is now divided among the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. The Mughal empire conquered Hyderabad in the late 17th cent. In 1724 the viceroy Nizam-al-Mulk, founder of the last royal line, became its independent ruler. Later nizams (rulers) sought to maintain their independence, but the dynasty was forced to accede to British protection in 1798. In 1903, Berar, then the northernmost section of the state, was transferred to British administration. When India was partitioned (1947), the nizam, one of India's most important Muslim princes, wished to remain independent. Some 80% of Hyderabad's inhabitants were Hindu, however. After a series of religious battles, allegedly staged by India, the Indian army invaded Hyderabad in 1948. The population, in a plebiscite, endorsed accession to India. Hyderabad became a state in 1950 but was partitioned among neighboring states in 1956. The nizam, forced to renounce nearly all of his fortune, was removed from power.

Hyderabad, city (1991 pop. 4,344,437), former capital of Hyderabad and now capital of Andhra Pradesh, was founded as a fort (named Bhagyanagar) in 1589 by the ruler of the Golconda kingdom. An administrative and commercial center and a transportation hub, the city has fine ancient structures, notably the Charminar (1591) and the Old Bridge (1593). Several scientific technical institutes have been set up, including the National Geophysical Institute and the Remote Sensing Agency, making Hyderabad a science and technology center. A number of information technology businesses have offices there. It is also the seat of Osmania Univ. and of the Central Univ. of Hyderabad. The former British cantonment of Secunderabad is now a twin city.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

Hyderabad

Hyderabad, city (1998 pop. 1,151,274), Sind prov., S Pakistan. Pakistan's fourth largest city, it has long been noted for its embroideries, precious-metal goods, and cutlery. It now has industries in food processing, textiles, hosiery, cement, cigarettes, glass, soap, paper, leather goods, and plastics. Founded in 1768 by Ghulam Shah Kalhora, Hyderabad was laid out by his son, Sarfaraz Khan, in 1782 and was the capital of the emirs of Sind. The British East India Company occupied Hyderabad when the Sind became a British protectorate in 1839. In the city are the Univ. of Sind and 32 affiliated colleges. Umarkot, birthplace of the great Mughal emperor Akbar, is nearby.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

Hyderabad

Former princely state, south-central India. Originally part of the kingdom of Golconda, it was brought into the Mughal Empire in 1687. The independent kingdom of Hyderabad was founded by Nizam ul-Mulk in 1724. In 1798 it was placed under British protection, although the nizams (rulers) continued to rule over their princely state. At Indian partition in 1947, the nizam chose to resume Hyderabad's independent status, but India invaded the state (1948) and took control. The area is now divided among the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.