I
City (pop., 2001 prelim.: 3,449,878), capital of Andhra Pradesh state, southern India.
Founded by the sultans of Golconda in the 16th century, the town was plundered and destroyed following the Mughal occupation in 1685. In 1724 it became the capital of the independent kingdom of Hyderabad . A walled city, it has many buildings in a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles. Adjacent Secunderabad grew as a British cantonment, connected to Hyderabad by an embankment 1 mi (1.6 km) long. It is the site of Osmania University (1918) and the University of Hyderabad (1974).
II
formerly Haidarabad or Nizam's Dominions
Former princely state, south-central India.
Originally part of the ancient kingdom of Golconda , it became part of the Mughal Empire in 1687. The independent kingdom of Hyderabad was founded by Niẓām al-Mulk in 1724. In 1798 it was placed under British protection, although the nizams continued to rule over their princely state. At Indian partition in 1947, the nizam chose to resume its independent status, but India invaded the state (1948) and took control. The area is now divided among the states of Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , and Maharashtra .
III
or Haydarabad
City (pop., 1998: 1,151,274), Sind province, Pakistan.
Located east of the Indus River , it was founded in 1768 by Ghulam Shah Kalhora. It remained the capital of Sind until 1843, when it surrendered to the British and the capital was transferred to Karachi . It is now a communications, commercial, and industrial centre. Notable antiquities include the tombs and palaces of former rulers; characteristic of the city are badgirs ("wind-catchers") fixed to housetops to catch sea breezes during the hot season.