The capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad is the fifth largest city in India with an ancient civilisation and culture is also a city which combines both the ancient and the modern. Attached to the city is its twin , Secunderbad, which is part of Hyderabad. The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderbad are separated by the Husain Sagar, an artificial lake constructed during the time of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah Wali in 1562 A.D.

The city is nearly 400 years old and is noted for its natural beauty, mosques and minarets, bazaars and bridges, hills and lakes.Hyderabad was founded by the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda. It was built by Persian architects and was known as Isfahan-e-Nau, The New Isfahan due to its beauty and architectural style. The basic architectural design of the city was based upon the Quranic model of Paradise.

Hyhderabad is perched on the top of the Deccan Plateau, 1776ft., above sea level, and sprawls over an area of 100 Sq. miles.Hyderabad was founded on the River Musi five miles east of Golconda, in 1591-92 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. In the 16th century the city grew spontaneously to accommodate the surplus population of Golconda, which was the capital of the Qutb Shahi rulers. Many buildings sprang up along the River Musi.Gradually the city grew,

Hyderabad especially draws tourists to its minarets and its pearl bazaar. The gypsy tribes called the 'Lambadas' and 'Banjaras' native to the region are known for their colorful traditions, costumes and handicrafts.

Hyderabad is highly cosmopolitan, a cauldron of a variety of cultures, not only because of its past but also because of the influx of people from all over the country to its institutions, research and educational, and to its various industries, including many high-profile technological firms.

Hyderabad has the most sophisticated five star hotels, shopping malls, eating places (especially those serving the world famous Hyderabadi biryani, a dish of rice and meat) and entertainment facilities. And it is a maze of markets and tiny houses - a busy, noisy place where narrow ancient lanes meet large vehicle-choked roads. Different in the layout of buildings, the way of life of the people and the very atmosphere, these two cities exist side by side, presenting two very different images. The buildings of present day Hyderabad are a rich mix of Medieval Indian, Saracenic, Mughal and Colonial architecture, a combination of the Hindu and Islamic influences with a hint of the erstwhile British Raj. .