Khursheed Jah Devdi

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Khursheed Jah Devdi
Khursheed Jah Devdi palace in Hussaini Alam, Hyderabad (2).jpg
Location Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Coordinates 17°21′29″N78°27′59″E / 17.35807°N 78.46643°E / 17.35807; 78.46643
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Location of Khursheed Jah Devdi in Hyderabad
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Khursheed Jah Devdi (India)
Khursheed Jah Devdi, photographed by Claude Campbell in the 1890s Khursheed Jah Devdi, photographed by Claude Campbell.png
Khursheed Jah Devdi, photographed by Claude Campbell in the 1890s

Khursheed Jah Devdi is a European styled architectural palace located in Hyderabad. [1] It was built by the Ancestors of Paigah noble Amir-Paigah Khursheed Jah Bahadur Shams-ul-Umra IV, [2] Its interiors were once adorned with expensive carpets and exclusive chandeliers. It is located at Hussaini Alam, just a kilometre from the historic Charminar.

Despite numerous demands for restoration by heritage activists, the Khursheed Jah Devdi, once home to the Paigah nobles slowly crumbled to ruins. [3] [4] In 2023, authorities have allocated Rs. 12 crore to restore the property and restoration works is being taken up. [5]

History

Located in Shah Ganj, between the city palace of Asman Jah and the palace Iqbal-ud-Daula named after Khurshid Jah though it was built during the time of his grandfather Shams al-Umara II, (1781–1893). Built over a high plinth, the two-story palace has very spacious rooms and verandas. The European style façade is marked by Ionic columns and a barrel-vault roof. The palace served as a women’s college in 2008.

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Abu'l Fakhr Muhammad Fakhruddin Khan (1780–1863), also called Amir e KabirShams-ul-Umra I, was an Indian nobleman. He was the first member of the House of Paigah to be matrimonially allied to the House of Asaf Jah. His full name with titles was Shams ul-Umara, Amir-i-Kabir, Khurshid ul-Mulk,Khurshid ud-Daula, Nawab ‘Abu’l Fakhr Muhammad Fakhr ud-din Khan Bahadur, Imam Jang [‘Abu’l Khair Khan III]; he became The First Amir of the House of Paigah, the Paigah Amirs held the honorary monarchal (standard) behind the Nizam of Hyderabad and were the highest order nobility. Paigah members were said to be richer than average Maharajas and had their own standing army, palaces, and courts

References

  1. Nanisetti, Serish (31 December 2022). "Restoration of Baradari remains key, garden a challenge". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  2. Andhra Pradesh (16 July 2014). "Khursheed Jah Devdi cries for attention". The Hindu . Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  3. "Devdi Khurshid Jah in a state of dilapidation". Siasat.com. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  4. "150 year old palace in ruins, but authorities continue to neglect Khursheed Jah Devdi". The News Minute. 16 January 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  5. Sengupta, Sudipta (30 January 2023). "138 year old Khursheed Jah Devdi to morph into cultural space with Rs 12 crore facelift in Hyderabad". Times of India . Retrieved 20 July 2024.