Nizamia Observatory, Hyderabad Travel Guide

Nestled in the Greenlands area of Begumpet, Hyderabad, the Nizamia Observatory whispers tales of a bygone era of astronomical exploration. Founded in 1901 by Nawab Zafar Jung Bahadur, a nobleman with a passion for astronomy, the observatory played a significant role in international astronomical observation programs like the Carte du Ciel.Originally located in the Phisal Banda Palace, the observatory was later moved to Begumpet. It housed impressive instruments, including an 8-inch Cooke Astrograph and a 15-inch Grubb refractor telescope, used to chart the skies. The observatory contributed significantly to cataloging stars and documenting celestial events.Due to increasing light pollution from the expanding city, the active observatory was shifted to a new site in Rangapur in the mid-1950s, now known as Japal-Rangapur Nizamia Observatory. The original Begumpet site now houses the Centre for Economic and Social Studies. While the telescopes are no longer present, the historic civil structures remain, offering a unique glimpse into Hyderabad's scientific past. Though the towers are often locked, the site's historical significance and architectural remnants provide an intriguing experience.