What’s in a Name? The Forgotten Stories Behind Hyderabad’s Neighbourhoods

Hyderabad’s neighbourhoods aren’t just postal zones—they’re archives. From dowry gifts to military camps and colonial outposts, each name holds a deeper story. Here’s a curated list exploring when these areas emerged, why they’re called what they are, and one memorable thing to do there today.

Begumpet – The Land of the Begum’s Dowry

Named after Basheer Unnisa Begum, the daughter of the sixth Nizam, Begumpet was gifted to her as part of her marriage dowry. Once a serene royal estate, today it's a bustling commercial and residential hub. The name preserves a slice of Hyderabad’s princely era, where women of nobility held land.

Don’t Miss: Take a walk around Paigah Palace—a hauntingly beautiful blend of European and Mughal architecture nestled quietly behind high-rises.

Moazzam Jahi Market – The Prince’s Colonial Bazaar

Built in the 1930s, the market was named after Prince Moazzam Jah, the second son of the last Nizam. Its Indo-Saracenic architecture is a colonial blend of Indian and Islamic motifs, symbolic of princely attempts to modernise trade during British dominance.

Don’t Miss: Enjoy a fruit ice cream at Famous Ice Cream, a 70-plus-year-old institution inside the market with vintage charm.

Sultan Bazaar – From Army Camp to Shopping Paradise

Once called Residency Bazaar, this area housed the British troops stationed near the Koti Residency. Renamed after the Sultan of Hyderabad, the name marked a post-independence shift away from colonial nomenclature. Today, it’s famous for bridal wear and street fashion.

Don’t Miss: Hunt for bridal trousseau pieces or lehengas in tiny shops that have stood here for generations.

Ameerpet – From Feudal Fiefdom to Coaching Capital

Named after the Amir (nobleman) who once held the area under a jagir (feudal grant), Ameerpet transformed from agricultural land to a tech coaching and education hotspot in the late 20th century. It’s where feudal history meets India’s software boom.

Don’t Miss: Enrol in a short-term course—Ameerpet is a go-to for tech, design, and language learning.

Chikkadpally – Of Tiny Gardens and Forgotten Farms

‘Chikkad’ means mud or slush in Telugu, and the suffix ‘Pally’ refers to a hamlet or settlement. Once known for its slushy farmlands and small garden patches, the name today survives mainly in government ID cards and old-timer conversations.

Don’t Miss: Catch a show at Sudha Car Museum, a quirky spot close by known for its handmade themed cars.

Malkajgiri – The Fort of the Queen

‘Malika’ means queen, and ‘Giri’ means hill or fort. Legend has it that a queen once ruled from a small fortress here. Malkajgiri is now one of the city’s most populated suburbs, but the regal aura still clings to the name.

Don’t Miss: Hike up Malkajgiri Hill for panoramic views and ruins of an old temple-fortification.

Lakdikapul – The Bridge That Named Itself

Translating to ‘wooden bridge’, Lakdikapul was named after a small wooden bridge built over a stream. Though the bridge is long gone, the name stuck, marking how simple infrastructure shaped local memory.

Don’t Miss: Visit Public Gardens (Bagh-e-Aam), a lush green escape with museums and colonial remnants nearby.

Koti – The Mansion That Became a Women’s College

‘Koti’ means mansion, and the name refers to the Residency Mansion, once the British resident’s opulent abode. Post-independence, it became Osmania Women’s College, quietly flipping its colonial masculinity into a feminist landmark.

Don’t Miss: Visit Osmania Women’s College, once a British colonial residence, now reclaimed as a women’s educational institution.

Musheerabad – From Minister’s Domain to Medical Hub

Named after Musheer-ul-Mulk, a high-ranking noble and advisor in the Nizam’s court. Though the original estate is gone, the name lingers in hospital signs and bus routes—a nod to how political influence leaves geographical traces.

Don’t Miss: Walk around Gandhi Hospital and witness the area’s evolution from nobility to public healthcare nucleus.

Tolichowki – The Watchman’s Post

Derived from the Urdu words ‘Toli’ (troupe) and ‘Chowki’ (checkpoint), this area once hosted military outposts during the Mughal-Deccan wars. Today, it’s a blend of old Hyderabad culture and a growing immigrant population, particularly from Middle Eastern nations.

Don’t Miss: Eat authentic Arabian mandi and shawarma from Yemeni-run joints tucked into bylanes.

Dilsukhnagar – Where Love and Real Estate Meet

This poetic-sounding locality was developed by a realtor named Dilsukh Ram Agarwal in the mid-20th century. The name stuck, not just for its literal translation ("land of happiness") but for how quickly it turned into a middle-class residential dream.

Don’t Miss: Watch a Telugu movie in an old-school single screen like Venkatadri Theatre for a slice of filmi nostalgia.

Jubilee Hills – A Name from the Silver Jubilee of Royal Rule

Established during the silver jubilee celebrations of the Nizam’s reign in 1936, Jubilee Hills was meant to be an elite residential area, now home to celebrities, politicians, and tech tycoons. The name is aspirational—and still tied to aristocratic memory.

Don’t Miss: Explore Lotus Pond, a peaceful hidden gem amid luxury homes and film studios.