that Fakhruddin Khan, grandfather os Sir Khurshed Jah Bahadur, personally designed it. During Khurshed Jah's time a lot of the world to have actually undertaken the task of mapping and cataloguing both Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It must also be kept in mind that the telescope used by the Nizamaiah observatory (Built by Cooke and Sons) had a smaller aperture and this meant longer exposures were required to achieve the desired magnitude limit set for the Astrographic Catalogue.
Another little known fact is that Dr. Vainu Bappu, the renowed Indian astrophysicist, the only Indian president of the International Astronomical Union and the only Indian to have a comet named after him (Vainu Bappu discovered a comet in a routine photograph he was examining as a student and it was named Bappu - Newkirk-Whipple) has a Nizamaiah connection too. His father an astronomer also, photographed for the Carte du ciel at this observatory and his signature can be found even today on the plates carefully preserved at the Department of Astronomy, which still houses the 15" telescope (8" astrograph, which performed most of the observations, is at the Japal Rangapur Observatory, about 60 K.M. away from Hyderabad) is now under Centre for Economic and Social Studies. Prof. Vivekananda Rao, the current Director of the Nizamaiah and Rangapur observatories, rues the condition of the Nizamaiah observatory as it now stands; forlorn and robbed of its glory. Passionate about the observatories, he comments that no body knows its value.
We have a piece of history and possibly the future also in our hands. How many other cities have an observatory that has mapped the stars in their backyard? More so, how mant have the only observatory to have the distinction of being the first to have catalogued and mapped both the Northern and Southern skies. To let such an important slice of history go to ruin is a criminal waste and we must do what we have to set things right as in our past lies the future.

extensions were added and improvements carried out. As you enter the vast foreground (huge enough to play cricket as it still happens on sundays) of the building, an amazing sight greets you, as you move your eyes from the arched base to the top. Constructed over a high plinth, brick by brick, the place appears as if rising into the blue sky from the groung. The imposing facade, lofty ionic columns, the flight of steps thr double colmnade height, the side flanks with overhanging windows, all set to scale and the typical barrel vault roof catch your eye. It was listed as a Grade II building for conservation, both for its architectural and historical value. The Devdi is one of the finest examples of palaces reflecting the personalities of their build.
The high roofed double storied palace has spacious rooms, vast corridors and woodwork all over the ceiling. In the good old days, its inner courtyard had star like cistern called Tara Houz with beautiful fountains, which sadly has disappeared now. Symbolising the cosmopolitan culture of the place, a grand mela used to be held at palace compound on the occasion of Nagpanchami, the snake festival of the Hindus, and it was presided over by the Nawab. The building, now housing the Government Junior College for Girls, is in a bad shape, with cracks at some places, plaster peeling off at others, columns vandalised, doors and windows removed and pigeons building nests in ventilation grooves. Obviously the Government is to be blamed, as ever since it was allotted to the college in 1969, it has not shown any interest in taking up regular maintenance work. The building having being declared "unsafe", by the Quli Qutub Shah Urban Development Authority, the girl students have shifted to the adjoining Government High School and the Government Degree College. The principal and the staff continues to function from the old building. If the Government spares a few lakhs, as planned under the mega city project, the palace can be restored to its past glory and put to effective use.

Mishk Mahal, as it is called, is built in the middle of a vast area surrounded by a high wall all round with two gateways one facing north anf the other facing south. The actual building is a double-storyed structure, the lower storey consisting of a large hall with arched partitions and a staircase leading to the upper storey.The upper storey was perhaps meant for Mishk's zenana as it is enclosed by a well seven feet high, with another staircase leading to the open roof, also enclosed by a low wall, which was probably meant for rest and sleep in summer months. From one or two small platforms on this storey one gets a fine view of Golconda Firt and the Qutubh Shahi Tombs on one side and the city of Hyderabad on the other. The frontages has a fine double-storeyed oriel windows with well proportioned arches, the unconventional lotus frieze and chazza of the approved hindu pattern.

father's jewellery business, which was liberally patronised by the 6th Nizam - Mir Mehboob Ali khan. The family of four brothers were held in high esteem for their nobility and loyalty to the ruler. They were Jagirdars and owned more than 120 Bunglows.
Seth Kishan Das uncle of Raja Bhagwan Das stayed in a house in Karwan which was 200 years old very similar to Tippu Sultans palace this house was made of wood in the style of the Asaf Jahi period. It is surrounded by a big garden with a high compound wall. A large well is in existence which is still used by the local people. This building is listed for "HERITAGE" as of historical and architectural importance.
this structure needs immediate attention. Exposed to the elements it will cruble in no time.

space of nearly 20 acres around it, and it was gifted to the college by Nawab Faqrul Mulk Bahadur. The large sized hall in the building was turned into an Assembly Hall for the college and it was named as Salarjung Hall in the 1917 during the College Day Celebrations, which were presided over by Nawab Salarjung Bahadur IIIrd, the founder of the famous Salarjung Museum.
The Nizam College originally affiliated to the Madras University was later made a constituent college of Osmania University by Nizam VIIth Mir Osman Ali Khan. The college and the Salarjung Hall of the college have, during their many decades of existence, acquired an aura of their own and have become landmarks of the city.Nizam College has produced many an administrator, engineer, sportsmen and politician of eminence, who have all passed through the portals of Salarjung Hall and have nothing but happy memories of the time they spent in the college and the exiciting debates, cultural events and academic meetings that they attended in the hall. This hall unfortunately now is in a pathetic condition requiring urgent repairs which if delayed would result in the roof and some of the walls collapsing. One side of the roof is already sinking and is temporarily supported by wooden beams. The old mortar walls give a pathetic look with the mortar peeling off and falling down in patches. This dignified and popular heritage hall needs immediate repairs failing which the Hall is likely to collapse and be lost forever.

is located in the heart of the old city of Hyderabad. It would be pertinent to mention here that the old buildings on the campus were constructed during the reign of Nizam - VI.There are 3 old historical buildings to which 3 new buildings have been added.One of the old buildings called "RAHAT MAHAL" requires extensive repair and maintenance work to stop leakage of water from its roof. In 1985, the Andhra Water Proofing Company had carried out the leak proof work with a guarantee of 10 years. Whenever required they carried out the maintenance work.However at present, the problem of water leakage has become very acute which makes the hall unusable during the monsoons.
Generally the hall is used as a multipurpose hall for the morning assembly, for literary activities and competitions, for parents - teacher meetings and to conduct examinations.
Quotations for carrying out the work along these lines have been obtained which work out to approximately Rs. 3,77,000/-.
The NHWAT does not have the required funds to carry out the restoration work.
Thje Rahat Mahal, which is a part of the palace complex of the early part of the 20th century, is of immense heritage value.