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India
印 度
Taj Falaknuma Palace
泰姬法拉克奴玛宫
Falaknuma Palace is also known as the "mirror of the sky" because at 2000 feet, it was built in the clouds and refects the ever-changing moods
of the sky. Set in 32 acres of land and spread over 19400 square meters, the Palace was commissioned by a Hyderabadi nobleman from the
Paigah family. Each was the ruler of their own court, built their own breathtaking palaces and each commanded their own private army. It
caught the eye of the nobleman’s brother-in-law, who was rumoured to be so smitten by the Palace that his prime minister, had no choice but to
succumb to time-honoured tradition and offer it as a gift or "nazar".
Built in 1894, it took ten years and four million rupees for its magnifcent, physical evolution in the shape of a scorpion. Bought over in 1895 and
used as the residence of Nizam VI until 1911, Falaknuma Palace later went on to be used as a royal guesthouse for dignitaries, including free
India's frst President Dr. Rajendra Prasad who availed of its famed, lavish hospitality in 1951. The echoes of visiting European monarchs, the
Duke of Windsor, heads of state and distinguished governors can still be heard in this newly refurbished inner sanctum of Hyderabad. Since
1995, The Taj Group of Hotels has sensitively restored the palace not only to accommodate the privileged in 60 glamorous rooms and suites, but
also to accommodate the extravagance of the ’then‘ with all the comfort of the "now".