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| Area • Elevation |
• 543 m (1,781 ft) |
| District(s) | Hyderabad |
| Population | 204,182 (2001[update]) |
Secunderabad pronunciation (Telugu:సికింద్రాబాద్ )is twinned with the city of Hyderabad, the latter being the fifth largest metropolis in India and the state capital of Andhra Pradesh. The two cities are popularly called 'Twin cities'. In common parlance however, Secunderabad is seldom used these days outside the twin cities. Instead 'Hyderabad' is used normally. Though they are called twins, the cities present different fusion of cultures with Secunderabad having developed under direct British rule until 1948, and the city of Hyderabad, as the capital of a princely state.1
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About the City
Secunderabad was founded in the 18th century as a British cantonment, and has a large Army and Air Force presence to this date. Today, the Secunderabad Cantonment is the largest in India and of the largest in Asia. Named after Sikandar Jah, the third Nizam of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, till recently Secunderabad had its own municipality and city government. Now it is a part of the Hyderabad, the district. Secunderabad celebrated two hundred years of its formation in 2007. The population of Secunderabad Cantonment is 204,182 (2001 census}.
The Cantonment area is farther from the Hyderabad portion than rest of the city. Adjoining Hyderabad is the mostly civilian portion of Secunderabad which is commercially active and centrally located. Begumpet International Airport is close to Secunderabad and served both the cities till early 2008. Secunderabad Railway station is also the main station for the twin cities and is the headquarters of the South Central Railway. The Twin cities are separated by the man made Hussain Sagar lake, which was built during the reign of the Qutb Shahis in the 16th century. The lake is a heart shaped jewel keeping the two cities together, and has become very dear to its citizens.
Sir Ronald Ross conducted his initial research on the cause of malaria in the city of Secunderabad. The original building is today called the Sir Ronald Ross Institute and is located on Minister Road. The city of Secunderabad which was once said to be modern compared to its twin during the Nizam rule, has grown tremendously over the years to catch up with the metropolis of Hyderabad. Populous places of the city include Paradise Circle, Trimulgherry, Marredpally, Kharkhana, James Street, etc..
Geography
Secunderabad is located at 2. It has an average elevation of 543 metres (1781 ft). Its climate is very similar to the metropolis of Hyderabad.
Demographics
As of 2001 India census3, Secunderabad had a population of 204,182. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Secunderabad has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 68%. In Secunderabad, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Secunderabad's population is a mix of cultures and religions, consisting of people from all major states of India. Its population consists a significant number of Tamilians (Mudaliars) who are also considered to be one of the first inhabitants of this city. In fact, it was under the rule of the Nizams & then subsequently under the British that this community was held in high respect for their efficient administrative and trading skills and thrived. The modern Tamil mudaliars community have managed to maintain their distinct identity & residing in areas such as Marredpally, Padmarao Nagar, Malkajgiri, Begumpet, Tarnaka, Sitaphalmandi, Warasiguda, Anandbagh,.etc. They run a popular girls school called "Keyes High's School" in addition to a few other schools & colleges. As a matter of fact, the popular residential area "Padma Rao Nagar" is named after Late Dewan Bahadur Padma Rao Mudaliar.
The city also has a good population of Christians, with famous churches like St Marys Church (biggest parish in twin cities) and St Johns Church and cathedrals found across the city. Many Christian educational institutions like St Anns, St Patricks, St Johns, St Marys, St Francis are located in the city providing primary, secondary, college and higher education. The city is also the home of many Parsis, whose population is only next to in Mumbai.
Commercial Areas
- Rashtrapath Road - This is a major commercial road in heart of the city, better known as R.P road. This was previously known as King's Way. Various businesses, hotels, malls are located here. A variety of sports shops are also located here.
Parklane, a famous shopping centre of the city
- Park lane - This is a famous lane known for fashion textiles, readymades stores etc. CTC (Chenoy Trade Centre), which is the largest computer bazaar in the twin cities is located here. Sales, rentals, repair of computer peripherals, name whatever is done here. Other businesses are also located here.
- MG Road, Secunderabad - This is another major commercial road in the city and is one of the busiest, holding a variety of businesses. This road was formerly called James street. This place also has MMTS rail connectivity to various parts of the city.
- Patny - This is another major commercial hub where big commercial establishments like Kalaniketan, R.S. Bros, CMR etc., are present here.
- Paradise Circle - This is a major junction connecting suburbs of Secunderabad. Also this junction has the famous Paradise restaurant which is all famous for Hyderabadi Biryani.
- Swapnalok complex - This is a major commercial complex situated in the heart of city. This complex houses a variety of businesses such as shopping stores, small IT companies, and other businesses.
- Trimulgherry - is a cantonment area, now a well developed suburb of the city. Many well developed residential and commercial buildings are located here. It has a large military presence even to this day.
- Secunderabad Club - is a place and it is one of the oldest clubs in India located some 7 km from the Secunderabad railway station.
Religion
The city has a mixture of many religions. The city has well known temples such as the Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple, one of most famous temples in the city. It is located in the heart of Secunderabad area, between R.P.Road and M.G.Road. There is an annual festival also known as the Bonalu jatara held during the Ashada jathara on principal days which falls on Sunday and Monday.
Other notable temples in the area include-
- Sri Ganesh temple, Secunderabad Station
- Sri Hanuman temple, opposite to the old Gandhi Hospital
- Sri Sai Baba temple, Minister Road
- Sree Ayyappa Devasthanam, Bolarum
- Lord Venkateshware temple,(Ratnalayam), Shamirpet
- Sri Sarveswaralayam, Marredpally
Secunderabad is home to many old and beautiful churches. Most of these churches were built in the early nineteenth century during the British Raj. Many missionaries who have settled here, have initiated the construction of these churches.
Most of these churches have established schools, providing early education to the natives and uneducated people. Their sacrifices have seen the development of the region. The churches are decorated every December for the Christmas and New year season. Some of the famous churches in Secunderabad are -
- St.John the Baptist Church, Secunderabad
- St.Mary's Church, Secunderabad4
- Wesley Church, Clock Tower
- St.Thomas S.P.G. Church, Secunderabad
- All Saints Church, Trimulgherry
- Holy Trinity Church, Bollarum
- Centenary Baptist Church, Secunderabad
Sports and Recreation
- Gymkhana Grounds - These grounds are multi-purpose grounds and are very large. They are used for various occasions such as exhibitions, trade fairs, musical concerts etc. They are also a favorite for all kinds of sports especially inter-school/college and inter-city tournaments.
- Parade Grounds - These grounds are a favorite for Independence day and Republic day celebrations. March past, parades, flag hoisting, speeches by dignitaries are common activities that take place here. Adjacent to these grounds are the Gymkhana grounds and the Polo grounds.
- Golf Courses - The oldest and famous golf course is the Bollarum golf course located at Bollarum.This is the only 18 hole golf course in the city of Secunderabad. This is maintained by the Indian army and is not open to general public. You either have to be a defence personal or affiliated with the secunderbad club.
Railway golf course is a well known golf course of the city, located at Tarnaka. Spread over a vast and lush green area, this place is a golfer's paradise, and attracts various golfers from the country and the state. Another 18-hole golf course is being planned adjacent to the Golconda fort. It is claimed to be one of its kind golf course, as it blends traditionally with modernity.
Transport
The city is the Head-Quarters of South Central Railway Zone of the Indian Railways. It is served by one of the oldest and largest Railway Station in the twin cities popularly known as the Secunderabad Railway Station. It is well connected to other cities of the State as well as the country. Thousands of people from both the cities travel everyday from this station, because of its convenient location.
The Railway station has been renovated to provide convenient facilities to passengers like toll booths for cars, increased parking space, additional ticketing counters and giving it a better overall look as well. Private Taxis are also provided for commuters. MMTS local services are also available via this station. Secunderabad is also a major railway junction in the Wadi-Vijayawada railway route.
Secunderabad is also one of the major hub for the City Bus transport run by the AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) and is well connected to all the corners of both Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Major bus stations are the Jubilee Bus Station and Rathfile Bus station handling thousands of commuters everyday.
The city has good road connectivity to all places within it as well as with its neighbouring twin, Hyderabad. Tank Bund road is a historical and an important road which connects the two cities. It is situated on the banks of the lake Hussain sagar. Every day thousands of people criss-cross the twin cities, and as such there is no difference between the two cities. Both of them are treated equally as one big city!
The city is also well connected by air to other cities of the state as well as to other major cities of the country and abroad, through the Begumpet International Airport which is very close to the city centre. The airport being close to the city was convenient for citizens and tourists alike. Until March 2008 the airport was shifted to Shamshabad on the outskirts of Hyderabad and is now known as Hyderabad International Airport.
Educational Institutions
Secunderabad is known for its well educated society. Many educational institutions have been setup partly by the British and foreign missionaries, who use to reside here during the colonial rule. Their mannerisms, strict discipline are still found in the educational institutions here. Some of the popular institutions of the city are listed below -
- Seventh Day Adventist High School
- B.R.J.C Parsi High School
- Gitanjali Devshala
- Pallavi Model School
- Siva Sivani Public School
- St Peters High,Public and Grammer School
- Little Flower High School
- St. Mark's High school
- Sherwood Public School
- Sri Rama Krishna Vidhya nikethan(Deendayal Nagar)
- Tagore's Home New Era Institute
- Govt. Institute of Electronics (GIOE)
- Mehboob college
- St. Thomas (SPG) Boys High school
- St. Mary's high school, Junior college and Degree college
- St. John's Church High School
- St. Francis College
- Islamia High School
- Saint Ann's High School
- Saint Patrick's High School, Secunderabad
- Auxilium High School
- St. Andrews High School
- Hi-Tech Modern High School
- Kasturba Gandhi College for Women
- Valerian Grammar School
- Wesley Boys High School
- Kendriya Vidyalaya
- Johnson Grammar School
- Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Sainikpuri (formerly Bhavans Sri RamaKrishna Vidyalaya)
- Atomic Energy Central School
- Army School R.K.Puram
- Army School Bolaram
- The Secunderabad High School
- Gowtham Model School
- Kennedy vidya bhavan high school
- Keyes High School.
- Narayana Concept School
- Gujarathi high school ,rp road
- sri sai bala nikethan high school
- kalasiguda govt high school
- chatti girls high eschool
Neighbourhoods
- Alwal
- Bandimet
- Begumpet
- Bolarum
- Bolarum Bazar
- Bowenpally
- Chilkalguda
- Defence Colony
- Karkhana
- Kavadiguda
- Kompally
- Lakshmi Nagar Colony, Secunderabad
- Lalbazar
- Lallaguda
- Lothkunta
- Malkajgiri
- Mahatma Gandhi Road, Secunderabad
- Marredpally
- Neredmet
- Deen Dayal Nagar
- Padmarao Nagar
- Paradise
- Rani Gunj
- RKPuram
- Risala Bazar
- Safilguda
- Sainikpuri
- Sikh Village
- Sitaphalmandi
- Tarnaka
- Trimulgherry
- Kummarguda
- Kamala Nagar
- Ferozguda, Adj.to Old Airport Rd.
- Shivaji Nagar
- Pan bazar
- Old Bhoiguda
- Kalasiguda
- Warasiguda
- Chilikalguda
Twin cities
References
- ^ Hyderabad-Secunderabad India - History -hyderabad-secunderabad.com
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Secunderabad
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved on 2008-11-01.
- ^ St Mary's
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