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      Chowmahallatuu (4 Palaces), is a palace of the Nizams of Hyderabad state. It was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and was the official residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad while they ruled their state. The palace remains the property of Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah, heir of the Nizams. While Salabat Jung initiated its construction in 1750, it was completed by the period of Afzal ad-Dawlah, Asaf Jah V between 1857 and 1869. The palace originally covered 45 acres (180,000 m2), but only 12 acres (49,000 m2) remain today.
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Southern courtyard

        This is the oldest part of the palace, & has four palaces Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal & Aftab Mahal. It was built in the neo-classical style.

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Northern courtyard

This part has Bara Imam, a long corridor of rooms on the east side facing the central fountain & pool that once housed the administrative wing & Shishe-Alat.

It has Mughal domes and arches and many Persian elements like the ornate stucco work that adorn the Khilwat Mubarak. Opposite the Bara Imam is a building that is its shishe or mirror image. The rooms were once used as guest rooms for officials accompanying visiting dignitaries.

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Khilwat Mubarak

This is heart of Chowmahalla Palace. It is held in high esteem by the people of Hyderabad, as it was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. The grand pillared Durbar Hall has a pure marble platform on which the Takht-e-Nishan or the royal seat was laid. Here the Nizams held their durbar and other religious and symbolic ceremonies. The 19 spectacular Chandeliers of Belgian crystal recently reinstalled to recreate the lost splendor of this regal hall.

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Clock Tower

The clock above the main gate to Chowmahalla Palace is affectionately called Khilwat Clock. It has been ticking away for around 251 years. An expert family of clock repairers winds the mechanical clock every week.

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Council Hall

This building housed a rare collection of manuscripts and priceless books.The Nizam often met important officials and dignitaries here. Today it is a venue for temporary exhibitions from the treasures of the Chowmahalla Palace Collection of the bygone era.

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Roshan Bangla

The 6th Nizam is believed to have lived here & the building was named after his mother Roshan Begum.The present Nizam (Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah) & his family decided to restore the Chowmahalla Palace & open it to the public in January 2005. It took over 5 years to document  & restore the palaces of the first courtyard to its former glory.

Chowmahalla Palace

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