Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
Taj Falaknuma Palace stands two thousand feet above the city, and is a
testimony to the famed life and times of the Nizams of Hyderabad.
The History
The History
Built in 1894 for the Nawab Vikar-al-Umra, and later used as the residence of the
Sixth Nizam Nawab Mehboob Ali Khan. Since the death of of the Nizam VI, the
Palace has mainly been used as a royal guest house.
Clock Tower
• The crown of the Nizam
is depicted on this imposing
ceremonial entryway to the
palace
• It has two clocks facing
east and west, both
completely restored.
• Above the gate is a
chamber where musicians
played drums and shehnais
to announce the arrival of
distinguished guests.
The Nizams, the hereditary dynasty
of this rich and strategic region, used
the palace as a guesthouse.
The extravagant furnishings,
sumptuous fittings and art collections
of the palace were an obvious
demonstration of the Nizam’s
considerable resources and refined
tastes.
Marble statues and chandeliers were
imported from Europe by the
hundreds.
Crowned heads of Europe and
England arrived en masse.
The family had a
fascination with
Europe, and were
committed Anglophiles.
The foyer, sitting rooms,
and the family’s suites,
preserved intact, all
resemble a fantasy
Continent, not India.
Marble statuary of goddesses and nymphs,
rather frou-frou for India, were brought in
from Rome, and life-size portraits of
imposing English royals were commissioned
in London.
A grand 6,900-volume library, with
an inlaid coffered ceiling and walnut
paneling, was said to be inspired by
one at Windsor Castle.
Used for the coronation of every new Nizam.
The venue for part of the coronation ceremony of Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur, after
he was coroneted as the VIII Nizam of Hyderabad
The Kohinoor
diamond……
Rumoured to be one the
richest men in the world…
Now adorns
the Queen of
England’s
crown…
The world-renowned jewelery
collection of over 173 pieces,
was built up over seven
generations of Nizams.
The jewelery is a synthesis of
Mughal, Deccani, as well as
European influences. It reflects
the ethos of a dynasty that
originated in the Mughal
court, ruled the Deccan and
was a staunch ally of the
British empire.
Passed on for generations like a precious jewel,
Falaknuma Palace or ‘Mirror of the Sky’ was the
royal residence of Nizam Mehboob Ali Khan.
After ten years of extensive and sensitive
restoration, The Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has
infused new life into the Falaknuma Palace,
which is ready to resume its status as
Hyderabad’s most exclusive address to offer its
guests a glimpse of the regal lifestyle of the
Nizams who governed the legendry city of
Hyderabad.
Glimpses of the Palace
After 10 years of extensive restoration, and preserving the priceless art and artifacts, Taj
Falaknuma Palace now welcomes guests – completely restored, renewed and reinstated to
its former glory.
• Hand made stained glass with Tudor faces is used on the palace doors.
• The lead channels were painted using gold paint and all the glass was hand-made .
The ornate inlaid furniture, the finest collection of Jade, the rich handcrafted tapestries and brocades
from France, and intricate frescos with English as well as Indian influences, together give the Palace
its distinct Baroque style.
• The carpet restoration took over 3 years and the highest quality of
New Zealand yarn was dyed over 200-300 times to match the exact
colour of the old carpets.
• The fabrics in the Palace are over 70 years old and were imported
from Europe with all the handmade designs. It took almost 4 years to
restore the fabrics to their original splendour
Adaab…