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Draft Report for discussion Jan 2009 Chapter

ESTABLISHMENT OF BRITISH RESIDENCY 1779-1857

During the time of General Fraser (1838-1852), a wall was constructed around the Residency and

the vacant land outside the wall was given to the public for residence.

At a later date, the gateway at the North West corner of the site opening in to the junction of the

Hashmat Ganj and Turab bazaar became the main entry and the south entry was abandoned. Two

more gateways, Landsowne gate and Roberts gate are within the walls of the wings, through which

roads lead to the northern side of the main house. The site gently slopes in the north south

direction.

Other ancillary buildings include the stable of couch horses, elephants and camel stall, five large

wells for the purpose of supplying the Residency with water, kitchen garden with ornamental

buildings (native style building known as Rang Mahal), and Pigeon house. On the south west of the

Great house the female apartment used to be there, which is considered by one of the visitor in

1815 as a very elegant and highly finished specimen of Hindoostani Architecture.

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Draft Report for discussion Jan 2009 Chapter

STRENGTHENING OF THE BRITISH RESIDENCY 1857 - 1900

The wall was further strengthened with bastions and stone walls after the attack on the Residency in

1858 (See pic no..) and was made concrete in 1891.

Many buildings were added through the course of time as per the requirements such as the First

assistant bungalow, second assistant bungalow, the military secretary bungalow, the Residency

Surgeons bungalow, the escort officer’s bungalow etc.

Extensive repairs were done to the roof of the building in 1888. Events such as the attack on the

Residency in 1858, fire accident in the wings (printing press) and the natural calamities such as 1908

floods in the river Musi led to the extensive transformations.

Conservation Management Plan, Osmania University College for Women, Former British Residency, Hyderabad 11

Draft Report for discussion Jan 2009 Chapter THE RESIDENCY AND ITS CONTEXT: 1915

The construction of the British Residency on the North banks of the

River Musi, was a very important event for the city of Hyderabad.

Following the construction of this residency, there came into

existence around it a cluster of shops and dwelling houses of the

bonafide subjects of the Ruler of the State. Over this area[1] the

Resident was accorded by the Nizam’s government “unreserved

power, jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters”. This new

settlement went on gaining popularity and a considerable

population started settling here.

It became the chief suburb of the city of Hyderabad covering a large

tract of ground to the North and North-East of the city outside

Afzalgunj was known as Chaderghat. This suburb of Chaderghat

consisted of “the Residency, the Bank of Bengal, the Clubs, the

post office, St Georges church, the old and new cemeteries, the

Roman Cathedral, the public works office, and the majority of

dwelling houses belonging to the Christian employees of His

Highness the Nizam’s government. The suburb was new and

increasing[2] in size yearly. It had a municipality of its own, which

looked after the public conveniences like roads, etc, very well.

The Residency area covered three bazaars Isa Miah, Hashmat Ganj

and Kasim Gunj. A big portion of Turab bazaar was also included

in it. Hashmat Gunj contained many bungalows of the business

community, and Turab Bazar has the Bank of Bengal located in it.

The Residency is a mile away from the main city towards the

North east. The area is not less than 4 miles and according to the

census of 1901, it population was 16,904.

1] In all the places under the control of the Resident are the stations of the Hyderabad Contingent the bazaars lying round the Hyderabad Residency, the G.I.P railway posts of Gulbargah and Raichur; and indeed the whole railway itself whether constructed or under

construction, where it traverses the Hyderabad Country and the Military Cantonment of Secunderabad

[2] The growth of the areas around Residency is due to the following reasons: The administration of the new settlement was more efficient and hence enjoyed comparative

peace and security. In contrast to the civil administration which was chaotic in Hyderabad

and especially in its suburbs who therefore migrated from Karwan to the Residency Area, because of the security it offered.

Secondly, the composition of those new settlements had of course, a prominent element of Europeans and Eurasians with overtones of Christian cultural strains. The development of

the Residency area as a distinct cultural pocket was symbolic of British political ascendancy.

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Draft Report for discussion Jan 2009 Chapter

BRITISH RESIDENCY 1900 - 1949

In 1925, Public Works Department constructed an annex (Kitchen and dining) which completely

ruined the grand views while approaching from the Empress gateway. The architectural quality of

the space in between the main house, wings and the Empress gate was lost.

The main house is the principal building in what is called the Residency, and is occupied by the

Resident himself, with the guest that he may have putting up with him.

On the grounds are quartered a detachment of cavalry who make the body guard of the resident

on state occasions, and a large number of native soldiers of the line, who furnish the details for

day and night guards at all points of Residency.