History and culture of Hyderabad: Hyderabad has a rich cultural heritage and a diverse population Known as the “City of Nizams”. It was once ruled by the Asaf Jahi dynasty. After the kingdom fell, the Mughals took over, which greatly influenced the culture of Hyderabad. Today, Hyderabad’s vibrant heritage continues to thrive.
Hyderabad is known today as a mix of many cultures with a touch of modern life. The people here are friendly and welcoming. In fact, Hyderabadis are often known for their generosity. They take enormous pride in speaking their local language, a fun and lively mix of Urdu, Hindi, and Telugu. This version of Urdu is very similar to the Hindi spoken in the city. Hyderabad has its own unique vibe and grows strong in its own way. Just like Mumbai has its “tapori” slang, Hyderabadi slang has a special style and sound that stands out. Different parts of the city speak in slightly different ways, which adds to its rich diversity.
The old part of Hyderabad is mostly known for its Urdu-speaking community. In contrast, the newer areas have a good mix of Telugu and English. People in Hyderabad have a unique and impressive way of life. They enjoy modern trends—hanging out at stylish pubs, wearing the latest branded clothes, and carrying themselves with confidence. But at the same time, they stay deeply connected to their traditions and culture.
It’s not unusual to see someone at a temple in a beautiful traditional saree one day and the next day in casual shorts and a tank top. That’s the charm of Hyderabad—a vibrant mix of modern style and rich cultural roots.
History and Culture of Hyderabad: Festivals
After the Mughal Empire fell, Hyderabad rose as one of India’s top cultural centers. When Delhi declined in 1857, many performers and artists from the north and west moved to Hyderabad, supported by the Nizams. This brought new energy and creativity to the city.
As people from both North and South India settled here, different languages, cultures, and religions began to blend. Hyderabad became known for the peaceful mix of Muslim and Hindu traditions. Today, both Telugu and Urdu are official languages in Telangana, showing the deep influence of this cultural blend.
Hyderabad celebrates many festivals from different religions, showing its rich cultural mix. Hindu festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi—famous for the giant Khairtabad Ganesh idol—Diwali, and Bonalu are widely celebrated. At the same time, Muslim festivals like Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are also observed with great joy. Traditional Hyderabadi clothing reflects both South Asian and Muslim styles. Women often wear salwar kameez or khara dupattas, while men wear sherwanis or kurta-pajamas. Many Muslim women also wear hijabs or burqas in public.
Alongside these traditional outfits, Western-style clothing is becoming more popular among the youth, influenced by global trends and culture.
Culture of Hyderabad: ARTS
Since 2010, Hyderabad has continued to celebrate its cultural traditions through the annual Hyderabad Literary Festival. This event showcases the city’s creativity in literature and the arts. Many organizations support and promote literature in the city, including the Sahitya Akademi, Urdu Academy, Telugu Academy, National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, Comparative Literature Association of India, and Andhra Saraswata Parishad. The city is also home to major libraries that encourage reading and learning. The State Central Library, founded in 1891, is the largest public library in the state. Other well-known libraries include the British Library, Sundarayya Vignana Kendram, and Sri Krishna Devaraya Andhra Bhasha Nilayam. In the Deccan region, classical South Indian dance and music forms—like Kathakali and Kuchipudi—are especially popular and continue to thrive.
Handicrafts of Hyderabad:
The Golconda and Hyderabad painting styles, which are subsets of Deccani painting, are highly renowned in the area. The Golconda style, which originated in the 16th century and combines foreign styles, is somewhat reminiscent of the Vijayanagara paintings of nearby Mysore. The Golconda style typically makes extensive use of bright gold and white colors. The Nizams created the Hyderabad style in the seventeenth century. This style, which is heavily influenced by Mughal painting, uses vibrant colors and mostly portrays local culture.
Food:
A wide variety of rice, wheat, and meat dishes, as well as the deft use of numerous spices, are all part of Hyderabadi cuisine. With their fusion of Mughlai and Arab cuisines, Hyderabadi biryani and Hyderabadi haleem have become national favorites in India. The local Telugu and Marathwada cuisines, as well as French, Arabic, Turkish, and Iranian cuisines, have had a significant influence on Hyderabadi cuisine. Along with the desserts qubani ka meetha, double ka meetha, and kaddu ki kheer (a sweet porridge prepared from sweet gourd), other well-liked native cuisine include nihari, chakna, and baghara baingan.
