A Nizam's Office at Falaknuma Palace

To the right and the left as you first enter the Fountain Vestibule on the main level of the palace are offices. It is said that the 6th Nizam passed away on the leather couch in the the office on the east, one of his favorite rooms in the palace. Both rooms look onto the colonaded veranda through fully opening doors inset with stained glass panels, then onto the skyline of Hyderabad. Large, quiet rooms fairly simple in their overall decoration they are cushioned with deep carpets and furnished with solid imposing desks . In contrast quite light, delicate arts and crafts Japonisme styled seating suites with distinctive  fan backs complete the offices.  These furniture suites were manufactured in India to specific designs sent out from England. The west office includes a very ornate clock detailed in the French style although the mechanism was produced in Calcutta.

Kings of the Palace at Falaknuma

The men were certainly kings of the palace at Falaknuma with a saloon about five times the size of the  women's gossip room. Three interconnected spaces on the upper level directly across from the ball room create a sumptuous mens club atmosphere. The central area houses a magnificent billards table with raised tooled leather settees for viewing the match comfortably. Busty carved maidens adorn arms of chairs and table legs and applique silk embroidery on leather and silk embellish assorted chairs and settees. Smoking, reading and game playing areas on either side of the billard table are divided gently with carved columns and voluminous draperies are at each window. The card playing area appeared to have a tooled leather wall covering throughout. The ceiling panelling was extraordinary adding yet another layer of visual richness to the space.

Falaknuma's Ballroom

First arriving to the Palace lit up for the evening...

From the terrace you glance at the sparkling city lights of Hyderabad below.

A quick peak back as you enter the grand stair hall and start up the beautiful rise of the stairs.

The stairway is lined with pictures of successive Viceroys, many who would have walked these same marble steps. Italian white marble statues of the Muses light the staircase...look for  Terpsichore with her lyre near the top of the double height hall.

The imposing oil portraits in ornate golden frames are of Viqar ul Omra the Dewa and palace's first owner however the grouping is interrupted with an overpowering portrait of the 6th Nizam on
the mid landing.

Sparkling candelabra and flowers  greet one on the  upper landing before entering one of the most dazzling rooms of all in the palace.

Dancing was adored  by both the Diwan and the Nizam. Viqar ul Omra had the floor specially constructed with a parquet in a very intricate pattern that sparkled with dimension. Huge mirrors
reflecting the dancers and the glorious chandeliers surround the space. A special dias at one end
for the host to view the party or for the muscians finished the grand room.

Delicate settees and sofa's surround the room for tired dancers. Sumptious draperies and upholstery details complete the breath-taking room.