Asman Garh Palace : a place in the sky

Asman Garh Palace : a place in the sky

    Among Hyderabad's many enchanting old palaces and mansions is the Asman Garh Palace built around 1885 A.D. 'Asman' means the sky, and 'garh' means place or home since the palace was built high on a hillock. It is based on Gothic architecture and is in the shape of a medieval European castle. The granite turrets and arched windows of Asman Garh palace are very prominent.

     Asman Garh Palace, image.

Nawab Asman Jah Bahadur, portrait.

  

   The palace was designed and built by the erstwhile Prime Minister of Hyderabad state Sir Asman Jah in 1885 on a hillock for purposes of leisure. He belonged to the illustrious Paigah family. He fulfilled his dream of building a home close to the sky. His real name was Mohammed Mazharuddin Khan, and he was the grandson of Nizam III, Sikander Jah.

    The palace had served as a hunting preserve for the Nizam and his courtiers. The Nizam was so fascinated by this miniature castle that he became a regular visitor. Sir Asman Jah gifted it to the Nizam. It is believed that there is a tunnel in the basement of the building leading to the Golkonda Fort.

   Unused for quite some time, the palace was leased to the Birlas, an industrial house who located their Archaeological Museum in it. After more than four decades, the Birla Museum moved out and the building is now under the management of St. Joseph's Education Society which has bought the building in the year 2000. They have not changed the structure and it retains its glory.

    Asman Garh Palace, Hyderabad. Image source : https://web.archive.org/

      The palace is a granite structure in Gothic style,  the entrance is approached by a pair of simple symmetrical staircases which lead up to a verandah with painted arches springing from slender Corinthian columns. The painted arch is repeated in the window openings. The multi-level terraced roof is topped with castellated battlements, which form the parapet and are the most noticeable of its architectural elements which add character to the overall structure's Gothic feel. When the VIIth Nizam, Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan inherited the palace which had been gifted to his father Nizam Vi, Nawab Mir Mahboob Ali Khan by Asman Jah Bahadur, he added a unique arched gateway in the shape of the ''Dastar'' or royal headgear resembling a turban over which a ''sarpech'' or ornament used to be worn on occasions, a part of Hyderabad court dress and a symbol of the state which is also seen in other insignia.

Nizam VI with 'dastar'

                 Nizam VII with 'dastar',with ''sarpech'' along with his courtiers.

Asman Garh Palace with the 'dastar' gateway.

Pic source :www.astrolika.com/monuments/asman-garh-palace

Posted by:

Soma Ghosh

References:

• Wikipedia.org

• Images from Wikimedia Commons unless otherwise mentioned.