The History Behind These Hyderabad Place Names

Hyderabad, after Bhagyamathi, the wife of Quli Qutb Shah; she changed her name to Hyder Mahal after getting married and thus the name (literally, "the city of Hyder").

Secunderabad, after Sikander Jha (the third Nizam). The village where the British troops were stationed. It was previously called Lashkar, meaning ‘Cantonment’.

Shamshabad, after Shams-ul-Umra, the title conferred by the Nizam on Paigah nobles. In Arabic, ‘Shams’ means sun and the title denoted the importance Nizam attached to the Paigahs.

Charminar, built by Muhammed Quli Qutb Shah in 1590-91, it is the legendary masterpiece in the city. Char means four and minar means minaret.

Nampally. Raza Ali Khan was the Dewan of the Hyderabad State in 1670 AD. His title was 'Nekh Nam Khan' A jagir was granted to him, Nekh-Nampally, which became 'Nampally'.

Begumpet, after Basheerunnissa Begum, daughter of Nizam II was married to a Paigah noble. She received lands in dowry. The village came to be known as Begumpet.

Khairatabad. The jagir granted to Khairunnisa Begum, daughter of Ibrahim Qutub Shah, came to be known as Khairatabad.

Ma Saheba Ka Talab (Masab Tank): Hayat Bakshi Begum, wife of Quli Qutub Shah VI, was called Ma Saheba. She constructed a tank to irrigate the lands of Mallepally village, which was called Masaheba ka Talab. Finally the name got corrupted to Masab Tank.

Himayat Nagar, after Himayat Ali Khan-Azam Jha, the eldest son of the seventh Nizam, Osman Ali Khan in 1933.

Basheer Bagh. The garden of Sir Asman Jha, Basirud-dulah, a Paigah Noble, who had a palace at the Garden (Bagh).

Somajiguda, after a revenue department employee, named Sonaji, who owned lands and resided in this village. Sonaji became Somaji and the hamlet came to be called 'Somajiguda'. (Guda is from ‘Godem’, which means hamlet).