Secunderabad Sikindrābād (Telugu) | |
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  Secunderabad Secunderabad, Telangana. Show map of Hyderabad Secunderabad Secunderabad (Telangana) Show map of Telangana Secunderabad Secunderabad (India) Show map of India | |
| Coordinates:17°26′24″N78°29′54″E / 17.439900°N 78.498300°E /17.439900; 78.498300 | |
| Country |  India |
| State |  Telangana |
| District | Hyderabad District |
| Metro | Hyderabad Metropolitan Region |
| Established | 1806 |
| Founded by | Sikander Jah, Asaf Jah III |
| Named after | Sikander Jah, Asaf Jah III |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal Corporation |
| • Body | Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Secunderabad Cantonment Board[1] |
| • MP | G. Kishan Reddy (BJP) |
| • MLA | Padma Rao Goud(BRS) |
| Area | |
| 64.5 km2 (24.9 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 561 m (1,841 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| 213,698 | |
| • Density | 3,300/km2 (8,600/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 1,000,000 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Pincode(s) | 500 xxx |
| Telephone code | 91-040 |
| Vehicle registration | TS-10[2]/AP 10(Old) |
| Website | ghmc |
Secunderabad (Telugu:[sikɐn̪d̪ɐɾaːbaːd̪(u)]) is atwin city ofHyderabad and one of the six zones of theGreater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in theIndian state ofTelangana. It is the headquarters of theSouth Central Railway zone. Named after theMir Akbar Ali Khan Sikander Jah, Asaf Jah III,Nizam of theAsaf Jahi dynasty, Secunderabad was established in 1806 as a Britishcantonment. Although both the cities are together referred to as thetwin cities,Hyderabad and Secunderabad have different histories and cultures, with Secunderabad having developed directly underBritish rule until 1948, and Hyderabad as the capital of theNizams'princely state of Hyderabad.[3] Since 1956, the city has housed theRashtrapati Nilayam, the winter office of thepresident of India. It is also the headquarters of the54th Infantry Division of theIndian Army. There are also many residential areas and apartments, particularly in the small neighbourhood of Yapral, with manyIndian Armed Forces officials living here.[4]
Geographically divided from Hyderabad by theHussain Sagar lake, Secunderabad is no longer a separate municipal unit and has become part of Hyderabad's Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. Both cities are collectively known as Hyderabad and together form thesixth-largest metropolis in India. Being one of the largest cantonments in India, Secunderabad has a large presence ofarmy andair force personnel.[5][6] Secunderabad also has a large number of lakes, with the northern part of theHussain Sagar Lake being a part of the city andFox Sagar Lake being the largest lake in Secunderabad. The city also houses the famousRamoji Film City.
Following the dissolution of theChalukya empire into four parts in the 11th century, the areas around the present-day Hyderabad and Secunderabad came under the control of theKakatiya dynasty (1158–1310), whose seat of power was atWarangal, 148 km (92 mi) northeast of modern Hyderabad.[8]
In 1310, the area of present-day Hyderabad and Secunderabad came under the rule of theDelhi Sultanate after thecapture of Warangal, theKakatiya capital. The modern city of Hyderabad was built and founded in 1592 by theGolconda Sultanate underMuhammad Quli Qutb Shah. The modern Secunderabad is also the site where the thenMughal emperorAhmad Shah Bahadur was defeated in the year 1754 by theMaratha Empire; the emperor arrived after the death ofNawabAnwaruddin Khan nearby at theBattle of Ambur in 1749.Anwaruddin Khan was theNawab of Arcot.
The area around Secunderabad changed hands among various rulers, and the area was part of Nizam's Hyderabad by the 18th century.[9][10]
Modern Secunderabad was founded as a Britishcantonment afterNizamAsaf Jah II was defeated by theBritish East India Company. He was then forced to sign the 1798Treaty of Subsidiary Alliance[11][12] to get the favour of British troops camped in the village ofUlwul, north-east ofHussain Sagar, the lake that separates Secunderabad from its twin city Hyderabad. In 1803, NizamSikandar Jah, the third Nizam of Hyderabad, changed Ulwul's name to Secunderabad after himself.[11] The city was formed in 1806, after the order was signed by the Nizam allotting the land north of Hussain Sagar to set up the British Cantonment.[13]
The drinking water needs of the British army in the cantonment and civilians in the cantonment area (areas now under Marredpally, Bowenpally and Tirumalgherry) were taken fromPicket Lake (also known as Picket Tank), and from a few other water bodies. Picket Lake was located at the entrance of the cantonment. Picket Lake was connected toHussainsagar through a channel. Gradually over the years, the channel turned into a municipal drain. The lake was gradually encroached upon and later abus station was built in its location.[14]
The twin cities are separated by the man-madeHussain Sagar lake, which was built during the reign of theQutb Shahi dynasty in the 16th century. UnlikeHyderabad, the official language of Secunderabad was English.[15] Secunderabad was exempted from customs duty on imported goods, thus making trade very profitable. Various new markets such as Regimental Bazaar and General Bazaar were created. After theFirst War of Indian Independence of 1857, the construction of a 7-metre-high (23 ft) wall was started atTrimulgherry and completed in 1867.[15]
Secunderabad Junction railway station, one of the largest in India and the zonal headquarters ofSouth Central Railway, was established in 1874. The King Edward Memorial Hospital, now known as Gandhi Hospital, was established in 1851. A civil jail (now aheritage building known as Old Jail complex nearMonda Market) was also established.[16] Originally constructed in 1860 as the country house of theBritish Resident at Hyderabad, the Residency House is now known as theRashtrapati Nilayam, the official retreat of thePresident of India.[17]
Sir Winston Churchill, the prime minister of the United Kingdom during World War II, was posted in Secunderabad during the 1890s as asubaltern in the British Army.[18]Sir Ronald Ross conducted his initial research on the cause ofmalaria in the city of Secunderabad.[19] The original building is today called the Sir Ronald Ross Institute and is located on Minister Road.
Secunderabad Municipality was first formed in 1945. Later in 1950, along with Hyderabad Municipality, it was upgraded to Secunderabad Municipal Corporation under the Hyderabad Corporation Act, 1950. In 1960, by the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act of 1955, Secunderabad Municipal Corporation was merged with Hyderabad Corporation to form a single municipal corporation.[20] Today Secunderabad is part of theHyderabad district.
Post-Independence, theSecunderabad Cantonment Board came under the jurisdiction of the Indian Armed forces. Consequently, large military units were established. The popular neighbourhoods in Secunderabad areTarnaka, Paradise Circle,Trimulgherry, Jawaharnagar colony,Marredpally, Jeera, General Bazar,Sitaphalmandi,Kharkhana,Ranigunj, Yapral, Kowkur and New Bhoiguda.[according to whom?]Begumpet Airport is close to Secunderabad and served the twin city until early 2008.
Situated in the North of Hyderabad at17°27′N78°30′E / 17.45°N 78.5°E /17.45; 78.5.,[21] Secunderabad lies on the northern part of theDeccan Plateau.[20][22] Secunderabad has an average elevation of 543 metres (1781 ft). Most of the area has a rocky terrain and some areas arehilly.
Secunderabad is 1,566 kilometres (973 mi) south of Delhi, 699 kilometres (434 mi) southeast ofMumbai, and 570 kilometres (350 mi) north ofBangalore by road.[23] It is connected to Hyderabad byRastrapathi Road (formerly known as King's Way) andMG Road (formerly known as James' Street) viaTank Bund. As a constituent of Greater Hyderabad, Secunderabad is one of the largest metropolitan areas in India. A lot of residential areas are located nearby like West Marredpally, East Marredpally, Kharkhana, and Bowenpally as it is calm and serene.
Secunderabad has atropical savanna climate (Köppen: Aw) bordering on ahot semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSh), with hot summers from late March to early May, themonsoon season from late June to early October, and a pleasant winter from late November to early February. In the evenings and mornings, the climate is relatively cool. Most of the rainfall is concentrated in the monsoon months from June to September.
Winter lasts for only about2+1⁄2 months, during which the lowest temperature occasionally dips to 10 °C (50 °F) in December and January.[24] May is the hottest month, with average daily lows of 26 °C (79 °F) and highs of 38.8 °C (102 °F). January is the coldest month with average lows of 14.7 °C (58 °F) and highs of 28.6 °C (83 °F).[25]
| Climate data for Secunderabad India (1951–1980) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 28.6 (83.5) | 31.8 (89.2) | 35.2 (95.4) | 37.6 (99.7) | 38.8 (101.8) | 34.4 (93.9) | 30.5 (86.9) | 29.6 (85.3) | 30.1 (86.2) | 30.4 (86.7) | 28.8 (83.8) | 27.8 (82.0) | 32.0 (89.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 14.7 (58.5) | 17.0 (62.6) | 20.3 (68.5) | 24.1 (75.4) | 26.0 (78.8) | 23.9 (75.0) | 22.5 (72.5) | 22.0 (71.6) | 21.7 (71.1) | 20.0 (68.0) | 16.4 (61.5) | 14.1 (57.4) | 20.2 (68.4) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 3.2 (0.13) | 5.2 (0.20) | 12.0 (0.47) | 21.0 (0.83) | 37.3 (1.47) | 96.1 (3.78) | 163.9 (6.45) | 171.1 (6.74) | 185.5 (7.30) | 90.9 (3.58) | 16.2 (0.64) | 6.1 (0.24) | 812.5 (31.99) |
| Source:[26] | |||||||||||||
As per the 2011 census report, males constituted 51% of the population and females 49%. Secunderabad had an average literacy rate of 73%, male literacy was 78%, and female literacy was 68%. 11% of the population was under 6 years of age. The city has a sizable population ofAnglo-Indians, who mainly resided in theSouth Lallaguda area of Secunderabad which was popularly known as Little England.[27] ManyAnglo-Indians have emigrated to other countries in theEnglish-speaking world over the last few decades.[28]
The camp transformed into an English town, and then into a truly cosmopolitan city where the Anglo-Indians, who had a colony popularly called "Little England", rubbed shoulders with the Mudaliars of Tamil Nadu, the Rajasthani trading community, the Parsis, and the Sikhs, as the historian Narendra Luther book Laskar vividly captures the flavour in the chapter, "Colours of the rainbow".
Due to the presence of communities such asParsis andAnglo-Indians alongside British and native inhabitants, Secunderabad was historically a cosmopolitan city.[15][30] Secunderabad used to be referred to by the locals asLashkar, meaning the army and the city's culture reflected the same. Secunderabad was a liberal city compared to Hyderabad due to the presence of the British.
The popularSecunderabad Club was established in 1878, at a country house gifted bySalar Jung I. Secunderabad has a more laid-back atmosphere because it is mainly a residential area with fewer government offices and corporate establishments. On 16 January 2022, a massive fire engulfed most of theSecunderabad Club, destroying many iconic structures.[31] The club is also one of the oldest clubs in India.
Many outdoor events such as theRepublic Day parade and fairs are held in the Gymkhana or Parade grounds.[32] Christmas is celebrated by the Christian residents. An annual festival known as theBonalu is celebrated by the Hindus of theTelangana state. It is usually held during theAshadha, which is at the start of the monsoon season.[33]Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, is observed by the local Muslims. There are old temples likeLaxminarayana Swami Temple andMahakali Temple. Local churches like Wesely church and St. Mary's church add to the cosmopolitan culture of the city. Many mosques can be found in Secunderabad, serving the Muslim population of the city. The culture of Secunderabad is distinctly different from that ofHyderabad's Nawabi culture.[28][30][34]
Some of the popular cinemas in Secunderabad were Sangeet, Tivoli, Anand, Natraj, Ajanta etc. These cinemas were also popular landmarks in the city. However, most of these cinemas are either closed or transformed.[35][36] Sangeet was a popular cinema theatre that screened only American movies. Plaza Cinema was the only theatre in India where viewers could sip a beer while watching a movie.[clarification needed][37]
ITC,Infosys,Intergraph, andCoromandel International are some of the major private companies that have their offices in Secunderabad. Being the headquarters ofSouth Central Railway, Secunderabad is a major centre for railway activity. Industrial areas such asBolarum,Moula-Ali,Nacharam,Ghatkesar,Uppal, etc. are in Secunderabad.Secunderabad Cantonment Board houses a large number of defence units. Units of theDepartment of Atomic Energy (DAE), such asAtomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD),Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), andECIL are close to Secunderabad.[38] There are also many hotels here, like Taj Krishna and ITC hotels.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), established in 2007, is responsible for the administration and infrastructure of Secunderabad. Secunderabad Municipality was first formed in 1945. Later in 1950, along with Hyderabad Municipality, it was upgraded to Secunderabad Municipal Corporation under the Hyderabad Corporation Act of 1950. In 1960, by the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act of 1955, Secunderabad Municipal Corporation was merged with Hyderabad Corporation to form a single Municipal Corporation.[20] DuringNizam's period,Secunderabad Cantonment was under the control of theBritish Raj. Today those areas, and most parts of Secunderabad where defence installations are located, are under the purview ofSecunderabad Cantonment Board. There are eight civilian wards in Secunderabad Cantonment Board, with a population of four lakh.[39]
The Secunderabad Municipality office which was located on Sardar Patel Road is to be demolished for the metro rail project. The new office is located atWest Marredpally.[40][needs update]
Secunderabad forms a part ofSecunderabad Lok Sabha constituency and is represented with sevenlegislative assembly seats. The present Member of Parliament isG. Kishan Reddy,[41][42][43] who is also a Minister of State in the Union Cabinet.[44][45]
Major English dailiesDeccan Chronicle andFinancial Chronicle and the Telugu dailyAndhra Bhoomi are published from Secunderabad. FM radioRadio Mirchi is located at SP Road in Secunderabad.
The most-popular sport played in Secunderabad iscricket.[46] During pre-independence era Secunderabad had various sports facilities built for serving Englishmen.[47][48] Presently, no major stadiums are located in Secunderabad. However, some open grounds belonging to railways and military establishments are used for various sporting activities. These areGymkhana Ground, Parade Ground, Polo Ground, Bollarum Golf Course and Railway Golf Course.
Various state sports associations such as Amateur Boxing Association, Basketball Association, Women's Cricket Association, Sculling and Rowing Association, and Hyderabad Hockey Association are located in Secunderabad.[49]
The most commonly used forms of medium-distance transport in Secunderabad include government-owned services such as light railways andTelangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) buses,[50] as well as privately operatedauto rickshaws.[51] It is connected bySecunderabad East metro station &Secunderabad West metro station ofHyderabad Metro.
The city is the headquarters of theSouth Central Railway Zone of theIndian Railways. It is served bySecunderabad Railway Station, one of the oldest and largest railway stations in the twin cities. Secunderabad is also a major railway junction in the Wadi–Vijayawada railway route.
Secunderabad is the hub for the city bus transport run by the TSRTC and is connected to major destinations of both Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Major bus stations are the Jubilee Bus Station and the Rathifile Bus.
TheTank Bund road connects Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Abutting theHussain Sagar lake, the Tank Bund road is an arterial road and the main thoroughfare connecting Secunderabad with Hyderabad.Maximum speed limits within the city are 50 km/h (31 mph) for two-wheelers and cars, 35 km/h (22 mph) for auto rickshaws and 40 km/h (25 mph) forlight commercial vehicles and buses.[52]
The nearest airport isRajiv Gandhi International Airport inHyderabad,Begumpet Airport having closed in 2008.TSRTC Buses are run from Secunderabad toRGIA.
Schools in Secunderabad, similar to other schools in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana follow a10+2+3 plan. Schools are a mix of publicly and privately run institutions, with two-thirds of students in private schools.[53] Languages of instruction include English,Hindi,Urdu,[54] andTelugu. Depending on the institution students are studying in, they are required to sit in theSecondary School Certificate[55] or theIndian Certificate of Secondary Education. After completing secondary education, students enrol in schools or junior colleges with a higher secondary facility. Due to the prolonged presence of the British, Secunderabad hasconvent schools established by Christian missionaries. There are also 2 Army Public Schools, Army Public School Bolarum and Army Public School RK Puram.
Research institutes such asNational Institute of Nutrition,Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology,Indian Institute of Chemical Technology,The English and Foreign Languages University,Osmania University, andNational Geophysical Research Institute are inTarnaka, which is close to Secunderabad.
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