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 Kothi
Residency was built in the year 1808 by Major James
Achilles Kirkpatrick. Designed by P Russell of
royal engineers, the building took five years for construction.
Originally, the residency had only a brick wall around
it.
After the famous mutiny of 1857 and an attempted attack
on it, the building was heavily fortified. The new wall
was furnished with three bastions and four gates. The
residency is very British yet seems very appropriate
in its Indian setting. It is built along grand imperial
lines. The deep column portico leads to the main 'Durbar
Hall', which is decorated with elaborate chandeliers
and gilt mirrors. With in the compound to the South-West
is an enclosed graveyard. Several British officials
are buried here.
There is also an interesting love story associated with
the residency. Kirkpatrick who stayed in Hyderabad for
nine years as a resident created a stir in European
and Indian social circles by falling in love with a
Muslim girl, Khairunnisa Begum. It is said that
the girl was being forced into a marriage against her
wishes and therefore she took refuge in the Resident's
house. Kirkpatrick fell in love with her and they were
finally married. The resident built a palace for her
within the residency and named it 'Rang Mahal'
or 'palace of colour'.
Read
about the restoration of the building.
-MAR. Fareed
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