HYDERABAD, the capital of the above-mentioned province of Hyderabad, and of the Nizam's dominions, is situated on the south side of the Musa River, which runs rapidly during the rains, but in the dry season has scarcely two feet of water. It is said to have been founded about the year 1586 by Sultan Mohammed Kootub Shah, who, thinking the air of Golconda did not agree with his constitution, gave orders for building a new city, which continued to be the residence of the Kootub Shah dynasty till the year 1687, when it was taken by Aurungzeb. The late Nizam Ali was the first of the Nizams who made it his residence, and he spent considerable sums in improving it. It is now a large and populous place, about 7 miles in circumference, and is surrounded by a stone wall, with towers at the angles and gates, which, though incapable of defence against artillery, is a good protection against the incursions of cavalry. It contains two palaces and some elegant mosques, this having long been the seat of Mohammedanism in the Deccan; and between it and Golconda there are some handsome tombs. There is a considerable suburb on the opposite side of the river, and in this quarter is situate the British residency, the communication between it and the city and palace being maintained by a handsome stone bridge. The elevation of the town above the sea is 1800 feet. At present it is estimated to contain 200,000 inhabitants, including the suburbs. The travelling distance from Calcutta by the Northern Circars is 902 miles, by Nagpoor 1043 miles, from Madras 352, from Bombay 480, from Delhi 923, from Poona 387, from Seringapatam 406. E. Long. 78° 32', N. Lat. 17° 22'.
Hyderabad, a city of Hindustan, in the province of Scinde, of which it is the capital. The fortress of Hyderabad, which, previously to the annexation of the country to the British empire, was appropriated solely to the residence of the princes and their families, is situated on a rock the foot of which is washed by a branch of the River Indus, here
Hydera-
bad. named the Fulacee. It is of an irregular pentagonal figure, suited to the natural form of the rock, and is defended by round towers, and a high brick wall perforated with loop-holes. The situation is remarkably strong; the sides of the hill being in many places so steep as to render the ascent to the fortress difficult, even though a breach were made in the walls. The weakest point is towards the southeast, opposite a break in the rock from the Fulacee. A dry ditch twelve feet broad protects the northern side. The position is good, and the fortifications adequate to resist any attack of native troops. Hyderabad is situated 130 miles from the sea, on the eastern side of the main stream of the Indus, with which it is connected by the Fulacee at the distance of 3 miles. Sir Charles Napier entered the place on the 20th February 1843, having previously received the submission of six of the ameer of Scinde. On the 24th he marched out to give battle to Sheer Mohammed, of Meerapore, who yet remained in arms, and was posted in great force behind a neighbouring watercourse, which had been partially fortified. The ameer was, however, attacked and defeated, the British force being thus enabled to march upon Meerapore. The country around Hyderabad rises into hills, although it is level till within a few miles of that city. The Indus is a perpetual source of fertility, affording an inexhaustible supply of water for the irrigation of the fields. The flat country of Scinde is intersected by branches from the main stream, and by canals; and the transition from the
parched deserts of Cutch to such a scene of fertility is described by Dr Burnes as affording a very striking contrast. The Fulacee in the month of August is from two and a half to three fathoms deep at Hyderabad, and is covered with boats laden with heavy goods. The population is 24,000. E. Long. 68. 28., N. Lat. 25. 22.