Hyderabad is an ancient city situated along the banks of the river Musi.

It's developing rapidly, in terms of high-tech industries.

What's more, it's home to a wide range of tourist attractions.

Hyderabad - the capital of Telangana state - is among the fastest-growing cities in India. Otherwise called the Land of Nizams, this metropolitan city holds a rich historical significance, and is home to many different types of architectural structures. Also, it's ranked the fourth most populous city in the country, with a population of more than 6.9 million people.

Hyderabad stands apart from other cities, owing to its unique culture. It's worldwide renowned for lots of things, and the cuisine here is mouth-watering in the truest sense of the term. Now, without further ado, let's discuss some interesting facts about this city that you should know.

The City of Pearls

Hyderabad is referred to as the City of Pearls, as it's among the major producers of natural pearls in the world. Also, it's a significant contributor to India's diamond trade. Kohinoor (the famous 105 Karat diamond) is known to have been originated here.

The Biggest Monolithic Buddha Statue

The city is home to a breathtaking monolith Buddha statue, which is the world's largest single carved rock statue.

It's located at Lumbini Park in Hussain Sagar Island, with a height of 18 meters &a weight of around 450 tons. It's the brainchild of the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, NT Rama Rao.

The World's Largest Film City

Ramoji Film City - located in Hyderabad - is the largest Film City & Film Studio Complex in the world. The place is a must-visit for every cinephile, as it offers a deep insight into the inner world of the cinematic universe. Founded by the Telugu film producer Ramoji Rao in 1996, it has permanent sets of temples, palaces, churches, mosques, hospitals, courts, airports, railway stations, waterfalls, jungles, and more.

The Richest Indian of All-time

Hyderabad's last Nizam - Mir Osman Ali Khan - is recognized as the richest Indian ever in documented history. He ruled for 37 years and had a total wealth of around $ 236 billion. He had a personal collection of gold worth more than $100 million.

Khan had some major contributions to society. He established Osmania University and also donated money to Jamia Nizamia, Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University, etc.

The Special Hyderabadi Biryani

Hyderabad is labeled as the "Biryani Capital of India", and for good reason. It's a significant dish here, satiating the souls & appetite of people for years. It's believed that the Nizams served 26 varieties of biryani to their guests. Now, there are more than 100 varieties available out there.

This Biryani has elements of both Hyderabadi & Mughlai cuisines. It tastes delicious, owing to the use of different spices such as cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, saffron, and more.

So, do visit Hyderabad at least once in a lifetime.