Hyderabad by Walk - Mahbub Mansion

 Our last stop for the morning was Mahbub Mansion which was built in the 19th century by the 6th Nizam Mahbub Ali Khan. He would visit the mansion occasionally from his permanent residence in Purani Haveli. There are similarities in this structure and the eastern blocks of Mubarak Mansion of Nazri Bagh or the King Kothi palace they say.

The grand entrance

Security cabins?

Spice market

One other story is that one of the Nizam's consorts Sardar Begum enjoyed watching horse racing at the Malakpet Race Course (which was built during Mahbub Ali Khan's time) from the palace windows. The story is that the curtain from which she watched had gold threads so no one could see the Queen on all the glittering light.

The Mahbub Mansion

The entrance to the mansion

Another view of the entrance

The entrance to the Mahbub Mansion area had a beautiful arch which was quite imposing. Luckily our people let the arches survive for some reason. There are two little security posts on both sides and that is where all similarity to the grand idea of Mahbub Mansion ends. the roads lead to the right and left - to the right is the spices market of Osman Gunj which was shifted here in 1983 which meant there were lorries and mini vans etc and lots of shops. 

The collapsed part - rains

We walked around and came to the dilapidated mansion which must have been a magnificent structure in its hey day. The entire land has been occupied and thanks to some last ditch effort the bare bones of the structure are protected by the flimsiest of fencing. Everything is gone, doors, windows, and its is stripped of all dignity. Garbage is all over, so bad that you cannot step anywhere close. Buildings and residential places are right next to the mansion.

Best protection for heritage stuff - garbage

If you thought that was a lot of garbage, think again

We saw a couple of chaps sitting and chatting over their morning teeth brushing activity and they told us what we could see - people took every single door and window and not knowing their value - used it as firewood. Only during CM Rosiah's time did they construct that fencing and it could be saved to this extent.

The exit - looks good - ending fine

I could well imagine how the place could be done up for some serious heritage tourism.

Seriously depressed Vardha and I went to a nice Udipi restaurant (Raghavendra?) and had some really nice idli and vada and dosa and polished it off with a cup of chai and headed homeward. Mission accomplished.