The Paigah tombs, though a recent discovery, date back
to the late eighteenth century and embody unparalleled
grace and elegance in marble. Though these stunning tombs
are strewn over 30-40 acres, tombs of the Paigahas who
had married daughters of the Nizams and their spouses
are confined to a two-acre site.
It was Abdul Fateh Khan Tegh Jung who founded the Paigah
nobility and rendered service to the second Nizam (1760
and 1803). The Nizam conferred on him the title of Shams-ul-umra,
meaning the sun among the masses. Tegh Jung was buried
in 1786 at the entrance of the complex, now known as
Paiga tombs. An iron plaque at the entrance of the complex
traces the Paigah lineage and eulogises the marble magnificence
of the mausoleums. The Paigahs were also great patrons
of arts, literature and sports and commanded the respect
of the rulers and the people.
Built with unique lime and mortar in the Indo Saracenic
architecture and delightfully decorated with flowers,
famous jali work and have marble inlay work on them.
the Paigah Tombs situated at Santoshnagar, 10 km from
Charminar. Apart from the family of the nizam, the highest
ranking nobles in princely Hyderabad were the Paigah
nobles. "Paigah" is not a family name; it's
Farsi for "footstool." An English equivalent
might be "right-hand man," though that phrase
has a casual tone far removed from the refinements of
the Hyderabadi court.
The Paigah tombs house the graves of several members
of the Paigah families who were the primary nobility
in the court of the Nizams of Hyderabad. In simple words,
these tombs are works of art. The Paigahs were the only
noble family of Hyderabad to be permitted by the Sultans
to maintain a private army.
Timings : 10:00am to 5:00 pm; closed on Fridays
Photography : Allowed
Entry fee : None
20 Km from Air port, Santosh nagar
|