Secunderabad

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The Clock Tower, representing the past colonial rule, now a famous landmark of the city
The Clock Tower, representing the past colonial rule, now a famous landmark of the city
Area
• Elevation
• 543 m (1,781 ft)
District(s) Hyderabad
Population 204,182 (2001)

Coordinates: 17°27′N 78°30′E / 17.45, 78.5

Secunderabad pronunciation (help·info) (Telugu:సికింద్రాబాద్ )is twinned with the city of Hyderabad, the latter being the state capital of Andhra Pradesh, India. The two cities are popularly called 'Twin cities'. Though they are called twins, the cities present different fusion of cultures. The city of Secunderabad being under the direct rule of the British until 1948, and the city of Hyderabad, the capital of a princely state.[1]

Contents

[edit] About the City

Secunderabad was founded in the 18th century as a British cantonment, and to this date has a large Army presence. Named after Sikandar Jah, the third Nizam of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, Secunderabad had its own municipality and city government, until recently when it was merged with Hyderabad, the district. Secunderabad has celebrated recently in the year 2007 two hundred years of completion since its inception.In common parlance however, Secunderabad is seldom used these days outside the twin cities. Instead Hyderabad is used normally. The population of Secunderabad Cantonment is 204,182 (2001 census}.

Lake Hussain Sagar, which separates the city of Secunderabad from Hyderabad
Lake Hussain Sagar, which separates the city of Secunderabad from Hyderabad

The Cantonment area is further from the Hyderabad portion. Adjoining Hyderabad is the mostly civilian portion of Secunderabad which is commercially active and centrally located. Begumpet International Airport is close to Secunderabad and serves both the cities. The 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 a man made lake called Hussain Sagar lake which was built during the reign of the Qutb Shahis in the 16th century. This 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..

[edit] Geography

Secunderabad is located at 17.45° N 78.5° E[2]. It has an average elevation of 543 metres (1781 feet). Its climate is very similar to the metropolis of Hyderabad.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census[3], 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. The city also has a good population of Christians, with famous churches and cathedrals found across the city. Many Christian educational institutions are located in the city providing primary, secondary, college and higher education.

[edit] Commercial Areas

  • Rashtrapathi Road - This is a major commercial road in heart of the city, better known as R.P road. Various businesses, hotels, malls are located here. A variety of sports shops are also located here.
    Parklane, a famous shopping center of the city
    Parklane, a famous shopping center 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 all Big names like Kalaniketan,R.S. Bros , CMR are lined up.
  • Paradise Circle - This is a major junction connecting suburbs of Secunderabad. Also this junction

has the famous Paradise restaurant which is all famous for Hyderabad 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.

[edit] Churches

Wesley's Church
Wesley's Church

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.

St. Mary's Church, decorated on christmas eve
St. Mary's Church, decorated on christmas eve

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, Secunderabad[4]
  • Wesley Church, Clock Tower
  • St.Thomas S.P.G. Church, Secunderabad
  • All Saints Church, Trimulgerry
  • Holy Trinity Church, Bollarum
  • Centenary Baptist Church, Secunderabad

[edit] 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
Parade Grounds
  • 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.

[edit] Transport

Secunderabad Railway Station, another famous landmark of the city
Secunderabad Railway Station, another famous landmark of the city
Tank Bund road, an important road which connects the cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad
Tank Bund road, an important road which connects the cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad

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

[edit] 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 -

  • Gitanjali Devshala
  • 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

[edit] Neighbourhoods

[edit] Twin cities

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hyderabad-Secunderabad India - History -hyderabad-secunderabad.com
  2. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Secunderabad
  3. ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  4. ^ St Mary's

3. Secunderabad Info[1], History of Secunderabad[2]

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