Abids

Abids is a major commercial center in Hyderabad, India.[1] Abids is well known as it is the oldest and most famous business area in Hyderabad.[2] The state government building TSFC, and the President Plaza, Badeshah palace are located here. A variety of businesses are located here,[3] unlike most markets which are known for specializing in a certain trade. This area's importance has increased because of its close proximity to Nampally Railway Station.

Abids

Abid Road
Inner City
Abids circle with the Nehru statue, and the GPO in the background
Abids
Location in Telangana, India
Abids
Abids (India)
Coordinates: 17.366°N 78.476°E / 17.366; 78.476
Country India
StateTelangana
DistrictHyderabad District
MetroHyderabad Metropolitan Region
Named forAlbert Abid
Government
 • BodyGHMC
Languages
 • OfficialTelugu, Urdu
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
500 001
Vehicle registrationTS
Lok Sabha constituencyHyderabad
Vidhan Sabha constituencyKhairtabad
Planning agencyGHMC
Websitetelangana.gov.in

It is surrounded by Basheerbagh to the north, Nampally to the east via Chapel Road, Koti to the west, and Chaderghat to the south, via the Bank Street. It falls under Nampally constituency.

History
Abids Departmental store in 1897
Abids Circle circa 1934

The St. George's Grammar School (established in 1834), and adjoining St. George's Church (established in 1844) predate the area's naming.

This area had a shop known as Abid's belonging to an Armenian merchant known as Albert Abid, a valet of Nizam VI of Hyderabad state, hence the area came to be known as Abids. Albert Abid left for England, but as per another version the area got its name after a shop run by Abid Evans.

In 1939, the store was demolished and a cinema known as "Palace Talkies" was built in its place.[4] Later in the 1980s this theater was also demolished and a new structure built in its place. Now this space is occupied by Big Bazaar.[5]

In 1942, the headquarters of the State Bank of Hyderabad were established here. The Taj Mahal Hotel was built here in the 1950s.[6]

Commerce

Today the whole area is one of the main shopping centres in the city and the main street is known as Abids Road. The General Post Office or GPO headquarters is located in this area. The major businesses are hotels and shops for textiles, clothing, jewelry, footwear, and electronics. BSNL, the largest telecommunications provider in the city, has its headquarters located here. The GHMC office is also located here, situated adjacent to the GPO.

The famous Jagdish market, a bustling grey market for mobiles and electronics, is also located here.

The area is a major business hub and has many restaurants for travellers. Palace Heights, the Taj Mahal Hotel and Grand Hotel are the best restaurants in Abids.

Culture

Some famous temples are located here especially on the Nampally and Abids road, such as the Hanuman Temple and ISKCON which are considered to be heritage sites.

Jagdish Market, Chirag Ali Lane, Abids

Education

Through colonialism and missionary work, many English medium schools were established in the area.

List of Schools
Various shopping outlets in Abids

Transport

The Abids Road is an arterial road of the city, connecting parts of the old city to the new and also to Hyderabad's twin city, Secunderabad, via Tank Bund Road. Abids is well connected by TSRTC buses to Ghatkesar, Kothi, Nampally, Dilsukhnagar and other areas of the city.

The closest MMTS train station is located a kilometer away at the Nampally railway station. Other public modes of transport such as auto-rickshaws and taxis are found aplenty as they keep shuttling between this area and other areas of the city.

References
  1. Abids Police Station Archived 23 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Panjatan, Majaz (7 October 2012). "Abids, the heart of Hyderabadis". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  3. Sameen, Najah (16 May 2013). "Is Abids still the Hyderabadi bookworm's paradise?". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  4. "Names of city localities hark back to a forgotten era - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  5. "'Taakis' razed, turned into swanky commercial bldgs". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  6. Murthy, Neeraja (17 March 2017). "A taste of time". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  • "Abids, the Heart of Hyderabadis" - The Hindu 7 October 2012
  • "Proud heritage of Abids in a state of neglect" - Postnoon 23 July 2012
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