Taj Falaknuma Palace
Palladian-styled Design Taj Falaknuma is a palace in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Its foundation stone was laid on March 3, 1884, by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra, the Prime Minister of Hyderabad, after a visit to Europe. The masterpiece took nine years to complete and cost 4 million Indian rupees, equivalent to 22 million US dollars in 2023. The palace remained Nawab Vikar’s private residence till it was handed to the sixth Nazim of Hyderabad around 1897–1898.
Hosted Guests
The Palace hosted some royal guests from around the world, such as:
| Guest | Title | Year of Visit |
|---|---|---|
| King George V | King of the United Kingdom | 1905 |
| Queen Mary | Queen of the United Kingdom | 1906 |
| Prince Azam Jah | Prince of Hyderabad | Various |
| Edward VIII | King of the United Kingdom | 1921 |
| Rajendra Prasad | President of India | 1951 |
Architectural Marvel
William Ward Marret designed Falaknuma, which covers 13 hectares (32 acres) of land and comprises 60 rooms and 22 opulent halls. It blends Italian and Indian architectural influences, the state reception ceiling is decorated with frescoes. Interestingly, one of the world’s largest operated organs weighed 2 tons and was displayed in a ballroom. Some of Nazim’s artifacts include paintings, statues, furniture, manuscripts, books, a jade collection, and Venetian chandeliers.
Note!
Ideal to visit in the rainy season (November to March) when the flow is at its peak.
Key Sites
Falaknuma’s nearest landmarks are truly masterpieces such as:
| Landmarks | Distance from Falaknuma | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Charminar | 5 km | Exploring monuments, Shopping Laad Bazar, street food |
| Qutub Shahi Tombs | 15 km | Persian architects, visit the tomb |
| Chowmahalla Palace | 5.5 km | Museum, visiting the Palace of Nizams |
| Golconda Fort | 17 km | Visit the historic fort, trek the fort |
| Mecca Masjid | 5 km | Largest Masjid in India |
| Salarjung Museum | 9 km | Explore global art, artefacts and sculpture |
| Ramoji Film City | 35 km | Movie set tour, adventure park ride |
Fun Facts
- Falaknuma means “Mirror of the Sky” because it is built 2000 feet above the ground.
- Falaknuma Palace’s architectural design is like a scorpion.
- Taj Falaknuma Palace was the first to have electricity in Hyderabad.
Falaknuma Hotel
Undergoing renovation in 2000 “The Falaknuma Palace” reopened as “The Falaknuma Hotel” on November 2010 by Taj Hotels. Taj Hotels restored the historic palace by adding modern facilities for tourists and locals, including children’s activities such as egg painting, horse riding, and cookie baking.
