Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad

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• Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad

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Taj Falaknuma Palace stands two thousand feet
above the city, and is a testimony to the famed
life and times of the Nizams of Hyderabad.
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The History
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The History
Built in 1894 for the Nawab Vikar-al-Umra, and
later used as the residence of the Sixth Nizam
Nawab Mehboob Ali Khan. Since the death of of the
Nizam VI, the Palace has mainly been used as a
royal guest house.
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Clock Tower

• The crown of the Nizam is depicted on this
  imposing ceremonial entryway to the palace
• It has two clocks facing east and west, both
  completely restored.
• Above the gate is a chamber where musicians
  played drums and shehnais to announce the arrival
  of distinguished guests.

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The Nizams, the hereditary dynasty of this rich
and strategic region, used the palace as a
guesthouse.
The extravagant furnishings, sumptuous fittings
and art collections of the palace were an obvious
demonstration of the Nizams considerable
resources and refined tastes.
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Marble statues and chandeliers were imported from
Europe by the hundreds.
Crowned heads of Europe and England arrived en
masse.
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The foyer, sitting rooms, and the familys
suites, preserved intact, all resemble a fantasy
Continent, not India.
The family had a fascination with Europe, and
were committed Anglophiles.
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Marble statuary of goddesses and nymphs, rather
frou-frou for India, were brought in from Rome,
and life-size portraits of imposing English
royals were commissioned in London.
A grand 6,900-volume library, with an inlaid
coffered ceiling and walnut paneling, was said to
be inspired by one at Windsor Castle.
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Used for the coronation of every new Nizam.The
venue for part of the coronation ceremony of
Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur, after he was
coroneted as the VIII Nizam of Hyderabad
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The Kohinoor diamond
Now adorns the Queen of Englands crown
Rumoured to be one the richest men in the world
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The world-renowned jewelery collection of over
173 pieces, was built up over seven generations
of Nizams. The jewelery is a synthesis of
Mughal, Deccani, as well as European influences.
It reflects the ethos of a dynasty that
originated in the Mughal court, ruled the Deccan
and was a staunch ally of the British empire.
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Passed on for generations like a precious jewel,
Falaknuma Palace or Mirror of the Sky was the
royal residence of Nizam Mehboob Ali Khan.
After ten years of extensive and sensitive
restoration, The Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces
has infused new life into the Falaknuma Palace,
which is ready to resume its status as
Hyderabads most exclusive address to offer its
guests a glimpse of the regal lifestyle of the
Nizams who governed the legendry city of
Hyderabad.
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Glimpses of the Palace
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After 10 years of extensive restoration, and
preserving the priceless art and artifacts, Taj
Falaknuma Palace now welcomes guests completely
restored, renewed and reinstated to its former
glory.
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• Hand made stained glass with Tudor faces is used
  on the palace doors.
• The lead channels were painted using gold paint
  and all the glass was hand-made .

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The ornate inlaid furniture, the finest
collection of Jade, the rich handcrafted
tapestries and brocades from France, and
intricate frescos with English as well as Indian
influences, together give the Palace its distinct
Baroque style.
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• The carpet restoration took over 3 years and the
  highest quality of New Zealand yarn was dyed over
  200-300 times to match the exact colour of the
  old carpets.
• The fabrics in the Palace are over 70 years old
  and were imported from Europe with all the
  handmade designs. It took almost 4 years to
  restore the fabrics to their original splendour

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Adaab