Cultural Diversity of Hyderabad

Literature review

Historical Hyderabad

Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth emperor of the Golconda empire, created Hyderabad, one of the most notable towns in India, in 1591. (Anilkumar et al., 2022). The Musi River, a significant tributary of the River Krishna, is where the city was founded. Golconda rose to prominence as one of the world’s major markets for gems, pearls, steel for weapons, and printed cloth during the Qutub Shahi dynasty. As a result of this blending of many civilizations, Hyderabad saw an increase in the growth of Indo-Persian and Indo-Islamic literature and culture. Once the Moghul king Aurangzeb acquired control, the Asaf Jahi dynasty came to power, and Hyderabad’s significance waned and partially fell into ruin. Yet, Asaf Jah I crowned himself the Nizam and established autonomous sovereignty of the Deccan as the Moghul Empire deteriorated and started to fall apart. As a result, Hyderabad once more rose to prominence as a capital, and it was ruled by succeeding members of the Asaf Jahi family until 1948, when the state was integrated into the Indian Union. The Asif Jahi dynasty’s seven Nizams controlled the Deccan for about 224 years, during which time Persian and other languages including Urdu, Telugu, and Marathi simultaneously evolved (Jyothsna, 2022; Vasanta et al., 2010). Deserving individuals, regardless of their religion, were granted the highest government positions. Persian was the official tongue from 1893 until Urdu replaced it in 1948. (Vasanta et al., 2010). The Nizam of Hyderabad kept his position of authority despite establishing friendly relations with the British and French colonizers. The British kept a resident at Hyderabad, although the Nizam still held power over the state, according to (Jyothsna, 2022). The title “Faithful Ally of the British Government” was bestowed to Nizam VII. Secunderabad, Hyderabad’s twin city, has a comparable history to Hyderabad, but having a very different modern culture. The creation of Secunderabad north of the Hussain Sagar resulted from a secondary coalition for both political and military solidarity made in 1798 between the  British East India Company and the Nizam. Sikander Jah, the Nizam at the time, inspired the naming of the area. A cosmopolitan colonial metropolis at first, Secunderabad contrasted with the feudal Muslim city of Hyderabad. Secunderabad has changed, nevertheless, and is now a modern twin city to Hyderabad (Jyothsna, 2022).

Importance of Hyderabad’s diverse culture

Hyderabad, the capital of the Indian state of Telangana, has a rich and diverse cultural heritage that has played a significant role in shaping India’s history. The city’s history dates back to the late 16th century when it was founded by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth sultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Hyderabad’s diverse culture has been shaped by a blend of Hindu, Muslim, and British influences, which have all contributed to the city’s unique identity.

One of the most significant aspects of Hyderabad’s cultural heritage is its architecture (Sandhya Jyosthna, 2018). The city is home to several iconic structures that reflect its rich history, including the Charminar, a monument built in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah to commemorate the end of a deadly plague in the city. The Charminar is a quintessential example of the city’s distinctive Islamic architecture, featuring four minarets that soar 48 meters high and an ornate domed structure (Sandhya Jyosthna, 2018). Another notable example of Hyderabad’s architecture is the Chowmahalla Palace, which was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and served as the residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad. The palace features a blend of Persian, Indo-Saracenic, and European architectural styles, and is a testament to the city’s cosmopolitan heritage. Hyderabad’s diverse culture is also reflected in its cuisine, which is a blend of Indian, Persian, and Turkish influences. The city is renowned for its mouth-watering biryani, a fragrant rice dish that is cooked with meat, vegetables, and spices. The biryani is a popular dish in Hyderabad and is considered to be one of the city’s signature dishes. In addition to biryani, Hyderabad’s cuisine also features a range of other dishes, including kebabs, curries, and desserts such as qubani ka meetha and double ka meetha (Sandhya Jyosthna, 2018).

According to (Vasanta et al., 2010), another important aspect of Hyderabad’s cultural heritage is its language. The city is home to a unique dialect of Urdu known as Hyderabadi Urdu, which has evolved over centuries and is a blend of Urdu, Telugu, Hindi, and Marathi (Vasanta et al., 2010). Hyderabadi Urdu is characterized by its use of colloquialisms, idioms, and expressions that are unique to the city, and is widely spoken by the local population. Hyderabad’s cultural heritage has also been shaped by its people. As stated by (Rachakonda, 2017) the city has been home to several influential personalities over the years, including the poet and scholar Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, who is credited with founding the city; the Nizams of Hyderabad, who ruled the city for over two centuries and left an indelible mark on its culture and architecture. Hyderabad’s diverse culture has played a vital role in shaping India’s history (Nukhu & Singh, 2020). The city’s rich architectural heritage, unique cuisine, language, and people have all contributed to its distinct identity. As India continues to evolve, it is crucial that we preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage of cities like Hyderabad, which have played such a significant role in shaping our country’s history and identity (Nukhu & Singh, 2020).

Industrial revolution and the culture of the city

According to (Logan & Logan, 2022), the Industrial Revolution played a significant role in the cultural diversity of Hyderabad. The revolution led to increased trade and commerce, which attracted people from different parts of India and the world to the city (Logan & Logan, 2022). This influx of people brought with them their own unique cultures, customs, and traditions, which blended with the existing culture of Hyderabad to create a diverse and cosmopolitan society. As the city’s economy grew with the advent of industries, it created job opportunities and attracted skilled labor from different parts of the country (Meyer-Ohlendorf & Meyer-Ohlendorf, 2019). This led to the migration of people from different parts of India, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, to Hyderabad (Kishan et al., 2019). These people brought with them their own cultures and traditions, which became a part of the city’s rich cultural tapestry. Moreover, the Industrial Revolution also led to the growth of transportation and communication systems, making it easier for people to travel and connect with others. This led to the spread of ideas, languages, and traditions from different parts of India and the world, further enriching the city’s cultural diversity (Kishan et al., 2019).

Hyderabad’s position as a major center of trade and commerce also attracted merchants from other parts of the world, such as the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. These merchants brought with them their own cultures and traditions, which mingled with the local culture to create a unique blend of influences (Logan & Logan, 2022). This is evident in the city’s architecture, which combines Islamic, Hindu, and European styles. Additionally, the city’s rulers, the Nizams, were known for their love of culture and the arts. They patronized artists, musicians, and writers, creating a thriving cultural scene in the city (Kishan et al., 2019). The Nizams also encouraged the establishment of educational institutions, such as Osmania University, which attracted scholars and students from different parts of India and the world, further contributing to the city’s cultural diversity (Jyothsna, 2022).