Paigah Tombs

Paigah Tombs

Paigah Tombs
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles73 reviews
Excellent
37
Very good
29
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
1

Fernweh
Hyderabad, India288 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021
This place is very beautiful. The art in lime and mortar is sadly neglected and forgotten. The navigation to this place can be a bit difficult but once you reach the area near the tombs, locals will help you. Google Maps worked for me. Also, one can book uber or ola till here. The place is safe for solo visitors, the elderly, or couples. I visited this place alone and as a solo female visitor, I felt very safe. A family stays nearby and they willingly tell the place's history.

Its high time that this place is protected and restored. A visit to Hyderabad is incomplete if this place is missed.
Written January 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ravindra V
Hyderabad, India1,662 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
These are 200 year old tombs created in the memory of the Paigahs, the noble men of the Nizams. The architecture is very different from the usual tombs we see. This place is going under renovation and hopefully sooner we will see them in great condition.
Written December 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

53Ruta_R
Chicago, IL487 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
It is easy to get lost finding Paigah Tombs as they are located in a maze of alleys. Blink and you could miss the entrance as it is hidden behind a tree on a quiet street. Once found, and you enter, a different world is present. The lime and mortar tombs are over 200 years old.
Written August 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christopher F
Mexico City, Mexico67 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021 • Solo
The first thing that I want to say is that this historical site is located in a very poor and what appeared to be a very dangerous neighborhood. The road leading to the site is a dirt road and not properly displayed on the Uber drives GPS. The Uber driver asked me if I wanted to walk the 100 additional meters to the site but the neighborhood looked dangerous enough that I requested he both drive me to the front and wait until I exited the site. I was hounded by young men as soon as I left the Uber for tours and for money and the young man what time to tell me the tourist we’re not safe in the neighborhood. Long story short I took a quick look at the site got back in the Uber and left immediately. I would not recommend the side to any of my friends nor family and if they decided to go I would recommend that they take as many people as possible as not to be alone.
As most if not all historic sites in Hyderabad this one is poorly maintained too. The cobblestone sidewalks are all loose and uneven, the grass and greenery is overgrown and trash all over. All that being said the tombs were beautiful and intricately carved
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rajesh1965
Hyderabad, India413 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2015 • Business
+ Great Architecture
+ Well Preserved
- Difficult to Access/Locate
- No Guide available.
The Tombs belong to the Paigah Dynasty
A good time is visit close to sunset...
A few families still stay there; nice to interact with them to know more about this amazing place.
Written March 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

OneLifeFewClicks
Hyderabad, India224 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2017 • Solo
Paigah Tombs or Maqhbara Shams al-Umara are one of the famous monuments of Hyderabad city which are known for their excellent architectural beauty.

Paigah Tombs were constructed by the Paigah family, who were very close and extreme loyals of the Nizams of Hyderabad. Their loyality towards Nizams and later matrimonial alliances with them made Paigahs very influential during 18th century. 'Shams al-Umara’ was a title which was given to Paigahs by Nizams which means 'the sun amongst the masses'.

Abdul Fateh Khan Tegh Jung was the first who was buried in 1786 at the place which later became the family Maqbara built as later generations of the members of their families were also burried there.

There are 27 tombs in the main complex; rest of the tombs of the family is just outside it.

Paigah and their love for Art & Architecture:

The Paigahs were the great patrons of arts and have made several palaces including Falaknuma Palace. Their love for art is seen even in their exquisite tombs.
The Paigah tombs are example of Indo-Islamic architecture, with a mix of both the Asaf Jahi and the Rajputana styles of architecture.

The décor in fabulous stucco work, represents the Mughal, Persian and Deccan style too. The tombs are in the shape of “Chaukhandis” with latticed panels but open to sky. (Chaukhandi – A dome like structure on 4 pillars


The crypts are made of lime and mortar and have intricate marble inlay work and stucco.The surrounding beautiful structure of walls has latticed panels with geometrical and floral design.

The geometrical designs in the Paigah Tombs are unique and are perforated with screens with great craftsmanship.

The Tomb of Asman Jah and Begum Khurshid Jah attract maximum number of tourists. The structures are made of marble and were once adorned with precious and semi-precious stones which changed colours with the change of seasons. The Tombs are enclosed by a wall which is ornamented with lattice work and exotic floral and geometric designs. Each wall is done up differently with fruits, drums, serpents, flowers, vases, etc.

The mausoleums have exemplary craftsmanship, utilizing elaborate canopies and marble fences done in trellis-work that are made up of geometric and floral designs. Arches fringed by smaller semi-circular arches–a feature unique to India–are also employed.

Another interesting point of the place is that all the tombs have unique designs carved on them differently.


Travelers Note:
The architectural beauty of the place makes it a must-see place for tourists. This place is dazzling sight for someone who is visiting this place first time in case you are from Hyderabad. The serene and peaceful place will compel you to slow down, pause and reflect on the grandeur of the bygone times.

The magnificent tombs and its intricate designs are a delight for photographers. Student and people involved in architecture may find this place very interesting in terms of design and one never know what inspirations this might give you.

At first sight the place looks deserted and somewhat ignored. Although there is a family staying there and taking care of it but this architectural wonder is now more than 200 years old and demanding a better care and some restoration work from our side.

You can visit these tombs on all days, except on Fridays. To visit Paigah tombs, the timings are from 10 am to 5 pm.

There is no entry fee to this place, but the care taker is also a very warm person and guides you around and shares some info, in expectation of some "fees". This is open to your discretion.

The pointer on the Google maps is accurate, so do not be confused by the unassuming entrance. There is a small signboard too, that should help identify the place.

Footwear is to be left outside the elevated platform of the tombs, so if it’s mid-day when you reach a pair of socks should be useful in summers as the stones get quite warm.

You would ideally need about 45 to 60 minutes to soak in this place, photographers and architecture students may need more based on their levels of interest.
Written April 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

flameyawn
Pune, India69 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2014 • Couples
The tombs at paigah are well structured, decorated and give the place the quiet and peace it deserves. Its not just a graveyard of the nizam era, it belongs to the family members, special personnels of the nizam. Its a must visit place and ranked higher for me above qutub shahi tombs.
Written January 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

asmterrace
13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2013 • Friends
What strikes when you enter the Paigah tombs is the tranquility that welcomes you. Interned here are people who were served by battalions of soldiers and servants yet the melancholic solitude pierces through your heart and tel you that hard fact of life " you may live among millions but you rest alone".

In a nonchalant bye lane where the residents are least concerned about the history around lies few people who lead once of the most glorious personal and social life which made even emperors jealous. What attracts a visitor is in intrinsic art work and caligraphy displayed in the building. To appreciate the place a little knowledge of the history of Hyderabad is required. PAIGAHs are the foremost aristocratic family in the social pyramid of Nizam era Hyderabad , rich more than several maharajas and were paramount palace builders. Their loyalty to the NIZAM was iron strong . An example : A Paigah noble is believed to have refused to bow before the might British Emperor during the Delhi Durbar because his own ruler NIZAM was around. His logic was he cannot serve two masters and he would stick his loyalty to his NIZAM. NIzams rewarded this loyaly with close marital relationships and huge tax collection rights.

Standing next to the tomb of Vicar ul umra, one can only lower the head when once knows that the great FALAKNUMA, PAIAGAH palaces and Vicar manzil are made by him. HIs generosity and thirst for fine life has made quite a few unbelievable folklore which facts will vouch that are true. The garden around is neglected but the care taker by his personal interest is trying to garner funds from government through few public interest litigation filed before courts.

One can only leave the place with a sigh that the where the rulers of the paradise come to rest may be taken cared slightly better and will retain its importance in the list of the archaeological department.
Written May 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vedaant R
Hyderabad, India34 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2013

This one of the best place for visit when you are in hyderabad and you love the history of India and relation with islam.The aristocratic Paigah family, purportedly descendents of the second Caliph of Islam, were fierce loyalists of the nizams, serving as statespeople, philanthropists and generals under and alongside them. From 1797, the two families began inter-marrying as well, solidifying their close bond. The Paigahs’ necropolis, tucked away in a quiet neighbourhood 4km southeast of Charminar, is a small compound of exquisite mausoleums made of marble and lime stucco. The main complex contains 27 tombs with intricate inlay work, surrounded by delicately carved walls and canopies, stunning filigree screens with geometric patterning and, overhead, tall, graceful turrets
Written February 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

FootlooseLibrarian
Abu Dhabi31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
These tombs of the former rulers of Hyderabad are spectacular. It is worth it to see them as well as the very different Qotb Shahi tombs. The architecture is unique with interesting ostrich egg and pineapple motifs in different places.
The caretaker/guide is great and is excellent about pointing out the best "photo opportunities". Its free.
Written January 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Paigah Tombs, Hyderabad

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