Shah Ali Banda is a neighbourhood in

Hyderabad Hyderabad is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part of Southern India. With an average altitude of , much ...

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. It forms a part of the

Old City, Hyderabad The Old City of Hyderabad is a walled city of Hyderabad, Telangana, India, located on the banks of the Musi River built by Qutb Shahi sultan Muhammed Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 AD. There used to be a wall surrounding the Old City, most of ...

in an area located close to

Charminar The Charminar () is a monument located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Constructed in 1591, the landmark is a symbol of Hyderabad and officially incorporated in the emblem of Telangana. The Charminar's long history includes the existence of a m ...

. It is about 2 kilometers south of the

. It is also home to famous Princess Esra hospital. Sitara Medical Center, notable for providing free medical service to the needy is also situated here. The Shah Ali Banda Clock Tower is located here.

History

Shah Ali Banda: A Historical Overview Shah Ali Banda, located in the southern part of Hyderabad, was a significant military and administrative hub during the Qutb Shahi period and beyond. This area housed prominent military establishments, particularly those of the Sunni Muslim Paigahs and their Gaur Kayasth serrishtahdars, who managed military and household units. Early Kayasths in the region, including families like the Saksenas and Srivastavas, were primarily military personnel, reflecting the area's martial legacy. Historically, Shah Ali Banda was bounded by the city walls to the east and south, making it an integral part of the old city's defense and administration. The locality was home to notable establishments, such as those of Raja Rae Rayan and Raja Chandu Lal, who played crucial roles in revenue and administrative functions. In the eighteenth century, the area served as military quarters, later shifting southward in the nineteenth century as the city expanded. Notably, the Royal Dairy was situated here during the Qutb Shahi rule, and the area remained a center for various production and service enterprises, including tanneries, salt-making pits, and the Hyderabad Mint. Shah Ali Banda was a melting pot of cultures and economic backgrounds. While grand residences of Hindu and Muslim nobles stood prominently, smaller communities of artisans, traders, and laborers thrived alongside them. The locality was also known for its courtesans, with legends connecting it to figures like Bhagmati, whose story is intertwined with the founding of Hyderabad. The military influence in Shah Ali Banda was pronounced, with many nobles and commanders associated with its establishments. The area featured a diverse population, including Maharashtrian and Telugu Brahmans, who managed troop units, reflecting the complex social fabric of this historic locality.

Transport

Shah Ali Banda is well connected by buses run by

TSRTC The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (abbreviated as TGSRTC) is a state-owned corporation that runs bus transport services to and from the Indian state of Telangana. It was formed in 2014 by bifurcating the Andhra Pradesh State Ro ...

due to its proximity to

. The closest MMTS train stations are located at Uppuguda and Yakatpura.

Metro Station

the Hyderabad Metro Rail project has announced plans to include a station at Shah Ali Banda as part of its Phase II expansion into the Old City. The proposed 7.5 km extension will run from the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) to

Falaknuma metro station Falaknuma is a former palace and currently a luxury hotel in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It originally belonged to the Paigah family, and was later owned by the Nizam of Hyderabad. It is on a hillock and covers a area in Falaknuma, from Char ...

, featuring stations at

Salarjung Museum The Salar Jung Museum is an art museum located at Dar-ul-Shifa, on the southern bank of the Musi River in the city of Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is one of the notable National Museums of India. Originally a private art collection of th ...

, Shah-Ali-Banda and Falaknuma. https://hmrl.co.in/hyderabad-metro-expansion-brings-long-awaited-connectivity-to-the-old-city/https://hmrl.co.in/hyderabad-metro-expansion-brings-long-awaited-connectivity-to-the-old-city/

References

{{Neighborhoods of Hyderabad, state=collapsed Neighbourhoods in Hyderabad, India