Telugu Historyతెలుగు చరిత్ర

Hyderabad (old district)

The Hyderabad district of undivided Andhra Pradesh, around and later only within the capital city. It grew out of the Nizam's crown district of Atraf-i-Balda, the 'suburbs of the city', and was formed about 1948. Until 1978 it also held wide farm lands, which then became Rangareddi district. From then on it was a wholly urban district, and in 2014 it became a district of Telangana.

The Hyderabad district of undivided Andhra Pradesh held the State’s capital city.1 It was formed about 1948, and until 1978 it also held a wide belt of villages around the city.23 From 1978 it was a wholly urban district, and in 2014 it became a district of Telangana.34

Early history and kingdoms

The 1909 gazetteer says the area “formed part of the territory of the Kakatiyas of Warangal”.5 It came under Muslim rule with the conquest of the Deccan in the fourteenth century.5 The gazetteer says the Raja of Warangal built the fort of Golconda and gave it to the Bahmani sultan in 1364.6

In 1512 the Bahmani governor of the Telugu districts made himself king as Sultan Quli Qutb Shah.5 The Qutb Shahis had their capital at Golconda fort until they founded Hyderabad.6 Their tombs north of the fort are “among the most remarkable Musalman sepulchres in the Deccan”, the gazetteer says.5 See Qutb Shahi tombs.

The gazetteer says Muhammad Quli founded Hyderabad in 1589, and first named it Bhagnagar.7 The Charminar was built in 1591, at the centre of the new city.7 In 1687 Aurangzeb took Golconda, and the city passed to the Mughals.7 Then the first Nizam declared his independence and made Hyderabad his capital.7

The Nizam’s crown district

Under the Asaf Jahis, the villages around the city formed the Atraf-i-Balda district.8 It was a Sarf-i-khas (crown) district, the Nizam’s own estate.8 In 1909 it covered 3,399 square miles, including the 26 square miles of the city.8

Before 1866, groups of villages were farmed out to contractors for fixed sums.9 In 1866 the taluks were formed.10 The 1961 census handbook says the crown lands came to be seen as “a State within a State”.11

North of the city lay the suburb of Chadarghat, which grew up after 1850.12 It had the old gun foundry of the French commander Raymond, the Nizam College and the new Mint.12 Below the Husain Sagar stood an ice factory, a steam saw mill and the Hyderabad Spinning and Weaving Mills.12

Formation, about 1948

The 1961 handbook says the district changed shape completely between 1941 and 1951.11 Both Atraf-i-Balda and Baghat districts were abolished, and the present Hyderabad district was created.11 In 1948 the district came under the Central Administration, and it stopped being the ruler’s property.11

The new district had Hyderabad city at its centre.2 Taluks such as Ibrahimpatnam and Chevella (first called Shahabad) were formed from the old crown lands at this time.1314

1956–2014

In 1956 Hyderabad became part of Andhra Pradesh, with the eight other districts of Telangana.2 It gained Pargi taluk from Mahbubnagar, Vikarabad from Medak and Tandur from Gulbarga.2 In 1961 it covered 2,997 square miles, with eight taluks in three revenue divisions.2

In August 1978 a new district, Rangareddi, was formed from the rural parts of Hyderabad district, the 2001 census handbook says.315 The District Census Handbook of Rangareddi says that district was first called Hyderabad (rural) district.16 Hyderabad kept the city corporation area, Secunderabad Cantonment and Osmania University.3

The census of 1981 counted Hyderabad among the 23 districts of Andhra Pradesh.17 In 1985 it was divided into four mandals: Charminar, Golconda, Musheerabad and Secunderabad.18 In 1996 these became 16 mandals, and in 1999 the district was split into two revenue divisions, Hyderabad and Secunderabad.18 The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 placed it in the new State of Telangana.4

After 2014

On 11 October 2016 Telangana redrew the map of its districts.19 An excise order of that day still lists Hyderabad as one revenue district.19 Its page as a district of Telangana is Hyderabad.

Administration

In 1909 Atraf-i-Balda had five taluks and one sub-taluk.20 Medchal, Ambarpet, Shahabad, Asafnagar and Patlur were the taluks, and Jukal the sub-taluk.2112 A First Talukdar ran the district, with a Second and a Third Talukdar under him.9

In 1961 the three revenue divisions were Hyderabad East, Hyderabad West and Vikarabad.2 After 1999 the urban district had 16 mandals in two divisions:1822

  • Hyderabad, with 9 mandals
  • Secunderabad, with 7 mandals1822

Land, farming and water

In 1901 the main food crops of Atraf-i-Balda were jowar, bajra and rice.23 Dams on the Musi fed large tanks such as the Husain Sagar.23 The district had 139 large and 310 small tanks and 2,253 wells, and 40 square miles were irrigated.23

In 1961 the district was still “predominantly agricultural”, in spite of the city and its new industries.24 Tanks and canals watered the fields, and many wells were dug during the Second Five Year Plan.24 About 88,780 acres were irrigated.24 See also Osman Sagar, a reservoir near the city.

After 1978 the farm land went to Rangareddi.3 In 2001 farming employed only 1.6 of every 100 workers in Hyderabad district.25

Crafts and industries

In 1909 Chandur made saris and handkerchiefs, and Asafnagar made fine brass and copper vessels.23 The Hyderabad Spinning and Weaving Mills stood below the Husain Sagar.12

In 1961 the district was “acquiring an industrial character”, as large industries came up in and around the city.1 By 2001 most of its people depended on industry and services.2625 There were 28 large and medium industries, employing about 23,458 people.26

People

The 2001 census handbook gives the population of the district, within its borders of 2001, back to 1901.27 The 2011 figure is from the 2011 handbook.28

Census yearPopulation
19014,99,082
195110,83,634
196111,91,668
198122,51,009
200138,29,753
201139,43,323

The district of 1961, with its rural taluks, counted 20,62,995 people.2 In 1901 about 86 per cent of the people of Atraf-i-Balda, outside the city, spoke Telugu.20 In 2011 the literacy rate in Hyderabad district was 83.25 per cent.29

Where the sources disagree

  • The 1909 gazetteer says Hyderabad was founded in 1589.7 The 2001 census handbook gives 1590 in one place and 1591 in another.330
  • The 2001 census handbook dates the formation of Rangareddi to August 1978.3 The page on Rangareddi gives the other dates found in the sources.

The changes to all the districts are told on How the map changed.

Footnotes

  1. A. Chandra Sekhar, Census of India 1961, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (1968), p. A4 (PDF p. 22) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2

  2. A. Chandra Sekhar, Census of India 1961, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (1968), p. A1 (PDF p. 19) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  3. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (2006), p. 8 (PDF p. 37) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  4. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (Act No. 6 of 2014), ss. 2–4, pp. 1–2 (Gazette copy (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  5. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 107 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  6. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 114 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  7. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 115 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  8. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 106 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  9. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 110 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  10. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 111 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  11. A. Chandra Sekhar, Census of India 1961, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (1968), p. A11 (PDF p. 29) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  12. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 113 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  13. A. Chandra Sekhar, Census of India 1961, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (1968), p. 108 (PDF p. 126) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩

  14. A. Chandra Sekhar, Census of India 1961, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (1968), p. 115 (PDF p. 133) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩

  15. Purnachandra Rao, Portrait of Population (1981), p. 16 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  16. S. S. Jaya Rao, Census of India 1981, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Rangareddi District (1987), PDF p. 20 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  17. Ch. Purnachandra Rao, Census of India 1981, Andhra Pradesh: Portrait of Population (1981), p. 13 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  18. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (2006), p. 9 (PDF p. 38) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  19. Government of Telangana, Revenue (Excise-II) Department, G.O.Ms. No. 251, 11 October 2016, PDF pp. 1–2 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2

  20. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 108 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  21. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 112 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  22. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (2006), p. 10 (PDF p. 39) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2

  23. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 109 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  24. A. Chandra Sekhar, Census of India 1961, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (1968), p. A3 (PDF p. 21) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  25. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (2006), p. xix (PDF p. 11) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2

  26. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (2006), p. 14 (PDF p. 43) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2

  27. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (2006), p. xxiii (PDF p. 18) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩

  28. Directorate of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2011, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District, Part XII-A (Village and Town Directory) (2014), p. 8 (PDF p. 26) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩

  29. Directorate of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2011, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District, Part XII-A (Village and Town Directory) (2014), p. 60 (PDF p. 78) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩

  30. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (2006), p. 5 (PDF p. 34) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩

Places in this district (3)

Monuments in this district (22)

Inscriptions found in this district (10)

References

Sources (9)
  1. Ch. Purnachandra Rao (Census of India 1981), Census of India 1981, Andhra Pradesh: Portrait of Population (opens in a new tab), Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, 1981, pp. 13; 16. Cite-only; paraphrased. [All rights reserved (cited, not reproduced)]
  2. Government of India, Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (opens in a new tab), Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta, 1909, pp. 106–115. [Public domain]
  3. A. Chandra Sekhar (Census of India), Census of India 1961, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (opens in a new tab), Census of India, 1968, A1–A4, A11. Cite-only; paraphrased. [All rights reserved (cited, not reproduced)]
  4. S. S. Jaya Rao (Census of India 1981), Census of India 1981, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Rangareddi District (opens in a new tab), Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, 1987, PDF p. 20. Cite-only; paraphrased. [All rights reserved (cited, not reproduced)]
  5. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District (Parts A and B) (opens in a new tab), Census of India, 2006, xix, xxiii, 5, 8–9, 14. Cite-only; paraphrased. [All rights reserved (cited, not reproduced)]
  6. Directorate of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2011, Andhra Pradesh (Series 29): District Census Handbook, Hyderabad District, Part XII-A (Village and Town Directory) (opens in a new tab), Census of India, 2014, pp. 8, 60. Cite-only; paraphrased. [All rights reserved (cited, not reproduced)]
  7. Parliament of India, The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (Act No. 6 of 2014) (opens in a new tab), Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 1 (1 March 2014), 2014, pp. 1–2 (ss. 2–4). [Public domain (Indian enactment; Copyright Act 1957, s. 52(1)(q))]
  8. Inspector-General of Police, Andhra Pradesh, The History of the Andhra Pradesh Police (1861-1961) (opens in a new tab), Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, 1961, pp. 260. [Public domain in India]
  9. Government of Telangana, Revenue (Excise-II) Department, Formation of new districts: reorganisation of the jurisdiction of Deputy Commissioners of Prohibition & Excise, G.O.Ms. No. 251 (11 October 2016) (opens in a new tab), Government of Telangana (goir.telangana.gov.in), 2016, PDF pp. 1–2. Cite-only; paraphrased. [All rights reserved (cited, not reproduced)]

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