Editor’s Note of Purani Haveli, Afzalgunj

Located to the southeast of Afzal Gunj Bridge in Hyderabad, Purani Haveli is a palace that used to be the official residence of the Nizam. One of the chief architectural attractions of the city, Purani Haveli was also known as Haveli Khadeem which literally means old mansion. U-shaped in structure and flanked by two double storied oblong shaped wings, this impressive haveli was built by Ali Khan Bahadur, Asaf Jha II, for his son Sikander Jha, Asaf Jha III. Originally meant to be the residence of Mir Momen, the Peshwa (Prime Minister) of Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in the late sixteenth century, it came under the possession of Nizam in the eighteenth century. A perfect amalgam of European facades and the traditional Indian courtyards, this architectural landmark has many interesting pieces of antique furniture. One can here see two vast courtyards surrounded by rooms and deep verandahs with semicircular European arches. Some of the rooms here still have their tiled walls and mosaic flooring intact while their vibrant colors are reminisces of the glorious past and grandeur of this palace. Today however, a library and the Mukarram Jah Technical Institute form part of its complex and a museum with seventh Nizam's collection of gifts can also be seen here. The Purani Haveli is open for visitors on all days except on Fridays from 10:30 AM to 5 PM. The entry fee is Rs. 50 for children and Rs. 70 for adults.