The next Taj Mahal? New life for historic tombs of Hyderabad, India, CNN

Extract:

The Qutb Shahi Heritage Park, made up of 75 monuments spread across 108 acres, is being rejuvenated as part of a 10-year project aimed at restoring its grandeur.

The organization tasked with leading this project, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, describes the tombs as one of India's most significant Islamic historical sites.

While in the past the tombs were not a major tourist attraction, Trust spokeswoman Archana Saad Akhtar tells CNN they expect visitor numbers to increase tenfold after the restoration is complete. continue reading

Hyderabad Nizam's 50th death anniversary: Family says his contributions neglected

Family members rue that Hyderabad has forgotten the last Nizam's contribution to the city [FirstPoost]

Hyderabad: On the 50th death anniversary of the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur, his family rued that the contributions of the architect of modern Hyderabad remained forgotten.
The members of the family on Thursday paid tributes to the VIIth Nizam at his grave at Judi mosque near King Koti Palace, which was his residence.
Nawab Najaf Ali Khan, grandson of the last Nizam, said it was unfortunate that there is neither a day to remember him nor a statue to garland.
"There is not even a lesson in history books in educational institutions to remember the great contributions made by Nizam," he said.

NYTimes.com: 36 Hours in Hyderabad, India By SARAH KHAN

"I wish this piece had come out last week when I was actually in Hyderabad, but that’s OK. In this weekend’s New York Times Travel section you’ll find my guide on what to see, do, and eat in a whirlwind 36-hour stay in one of my hometowns." Image and intro courtesy southafrikhan dot com

Hyderabad is fast cementing its reputation as a formidable global tech capital — Amazon, Google and Facebook have set up offices in the south-central Indian city, and a cutting-edge metro system is in the works. But amid this steady march to the future, the city’s rich past and regal architectural legacy sometimes fall by the wayside. Fortunately, a recent wave of attempts at preservation is helping to save and restore some of Hyderabad’s storied heritage before it’s too late. To immerse yourself in local traditions, the best time to visit might be the month of Ramadan, which starts in June this year. While Muslims fast during daylight hours, the streets surrounding the Charminar monument in Hyderabad’s Old City come alive after dark, transforming into a vibrant night bazaar — thousands of people pack the lanes to feast on haleem and biryani, sip on Irani chai and get a head start on their Eid holiday shopping.