Falaknuma is a palace located in the Old City of Hyderabad. The palace was originally built by the Paigah family, and it was later owned by the Nizam of Hyderabad. A visit to the Falaknuma Palace is like retracing the paths of Nizams, walking in step with the European royalty, feeling the presence of the flamboyant Begums, walking arm-in-arm with distinguished Heads of the State and walk the King’s way, slicing your path through the choicest architecture. It is like walking into the heavens as the palace stands high about 2000 feet above the city.

The opulent palace is located on a hillock, covering an area of 32 acres in Falaknuma, located about 5 kilometers from Charminar. The palace was built by Nawab Sir Viqar-ul-Umra, the then Prime Minister of Hyderabad. He was also the uncle and brother-in-law of the 6th Nizam. Falak-numa in Urdu literally means "Like the Sky" or "Mirror of Sky".

Sir Viqar-ul-Umra, after a visit to Europe, had a desire to create a European style residence for himself with the foundation laying commencing on March 3rd, 1884. The construction of this palace took nine years. This palace was his private residence until it was handed over to the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad during the period of 1897–1898. The palace costed four million rupees. The Nizam used this grand palace as a guest house for the royal guests who visited the kingdom of Hyderabad. Some of the most famous royal visitors included the King George V, Queen Mary, Edward VIII as well as Tsar Nicholas II.

There are many highlights of the palace. The ceiling of the state reception room is decorated with frescoes. The ballroom is known for the two-ton manually operated organ, believed to be only one-of-its-kind in the world. The palace consists of 60 rooms and 22 halls. It is home to some of the priceless collections of the Nizam's artifacts which includes paintings, statues, manuscripts, furniture, rare books, an extensive jade collection, and stunning Venetian chandeliers. The roof of library was made with carved walnut and is considered a replica of a library at the renowned Windsor Castle. The library is home to more than five thousand rare books, featuring an extensive collection of English, Urdu and Persian books. It is also graced with one of the most applauded collections of the Holy Quran in India. The dining hall caters to 101 guests at a time with its exquisite rose wood chairs supported by green leather upholstery. This palace was once the private property of the Nizam family, until the year 2000.

The Falaknuma Palace’s exquisite beauty allows you to enjoy a journey into the blue skies, into the glided ages of time immemorial, where grandeur and lavishness is all you see. Those who have basked in its opulence have rejoiced in its brilliantly designed Venetian chandeliers, uniquely made furniture, awe-inspiring marble staircases and sloshing fountains, enchanting statues, and objects d’art. The Mughal, Rajasthani and the Japanese gardens that were personally conceived by the Nizam adorn the palace.

How to reach

Located at a distance of about 5 km from Charminar, Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad stands majestically on a hillock. It is well-accessible by road transport while an MMTS station is also located close by.