Hyderabad is the capital and largest city of the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It occupies 650 square kilometers (250 sq mi) on the banks of the Musi River. Its population is 6.8 million, and its metropolitan area increases that number to 7.75 million people, making it India's fourth most populous city and sixth most populous urban agglomeration.
Hyderabad was established in 1591. The 1956 States Reorganization Act established the modern state of Andhra Pradesh, with Hyderabad as its capital.
Throughout its history, the city was a center for local traditions in art, literature, architecture and cuisine. It is a tourist destination and has many places of interest, including Chowmahalla Palace, Charminar and Golkonda fort. It has several museums, bazaars, galleries, libraries, sports venues and other cultural institutions—Laad Bazar, Madina Circle, Begum Bazaar, Sultan Bazaar are bazaars from the Qutb Shahi and Nizam era; Salar Jung, Nizam Museum, and AP State Archaeology Museum are notable museums. Hyderabadi biriyani and haleem are examples of distinctive culinary products.
Historically, Hyderabad was known for its pearl and diamond trading centers. Industrialization brought major Indian manufacturing and financial institutions to the city. The emergence of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in the 1990s earned it the titles of "India's pharmaceutical capital" and the "Genome Valley of India."
SOURCE: You Tube Video by Ananya Basudev, 2012.
