Chowmahalla Palace or Chowmahallat, known for its grandeur and lavish display of royalty, has an illustrious list of exhibits.Bearing the historic stamp of the bygone era, the exhibits have attracted people to the palace for different reasons. Vintage car or buggy, the relics have always been crowd-pullers. The latest addition is a ‘Heritage Library’ that gives a glimpse into the dynasty that defined the lifestyle fit for a king.
The palace belonging to the Nizams of Hyderabad state, was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, the official residence of the Nizam.
Chahar means four and Mahalat (plural of Mahal) means palaces, the four palaces have stood the test of time. It has witnessed important ceremonial functions including the accession of the Nizams and receptions for the Governor-General.
It was conferred with the prestigious UNESCO Asia Pacific Merit award for cultural heritage conservation on March 15, 2010.
Preserving books that chronicle historic moments, the Heritage Library has opened to the Public.The library has around 10,000 books from the personal collection of the Asaf Jahi Nizams.
The ambience is just apt with the natural vintage look retained with refurbished furniture from the Nizam’s era. The walls are adorned with paintings and portraits of the Nizams for a peaceful reading.
The collection has been complied from the Nazri Bagh Palace at King Koti, Chiraan Palace and the Bellavista Palace and the residence of Azam Jah, elder son of VII Nizam.
The rare and valuable collection of books and manuscripts predominantly belong to the VI Nizam Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, VII Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan and the titular Nizam Mukarram Jah.
Catalogued and stacked for easy reference, The Heritage Library has books on all subjects. History, geography, literature, law, medicine, biographies, poetry, Islamic culture, rare manuscripts in Persian, Urdu, Arabic and English first Editions nearly century old.
The collector item, Shakeb is the rich collection of Qurans in calligraphic font. The VII Nizam received copies of the Quran on his birthdays written in the finest calligraphy. Readers have access to Priceless manuscripts in Arabic and Persian on Islamic Law, philosophy, history and scientific literature besides biographies.
History reveals that it was customary in Islam for rulers to master the sword and pen.The first two nizams Mir Qamaruddin Khan and Mir Nizam Ali Khan and the last two Nizams Mir Mahbub Ali Khan and Mir Osman Ali Khan were poets.
Indian Eagle calls the attention of students, archaeologists, scholars and researchers and anyone who loves to simply read. Cheap flights at Lowest Airfare Guaranteed to Hyderabad, Chowmallaha Palace will not disappoint the bookworms.