Secunderabad

1. Did you know Secunderabad was previously known as Lashkar, meaning ‘army camp’? Established as a tented accommodation for the British Army, it was renamed Secunderabad in 1806, after the 3rd Nizam Sikandar Jah. Here's An etymology thread on some of the localities of #Secunderabad 2. Patny: Named after the Patny Car Showroom, set up in the late 1920s by M. R. Patny—an automobile engineer, businessman, and founder-director of SBH. The showroom became a prominent landmark, lending its name to the area. 3. Paradise: After a small café and canteen attached to a theater of the same name, started in 1953. While the theater and canteen were closed in 1987, the Café continued to operate in the location where the famous Paradise restaurant is located now. 4. Padmarao Nagar: After Diwan Bahadur Padma Rao Mudaliar. A prominent figure from the Mudaliar community, he was known for his contributions to urban development and public welfare. He supported initiatives to improve education. 5. . Bansilalpet: Named in honor of the local businessman, Seth Bansilal, who funded develop a model-village around the famous stepwell, which was restored to its pristine glory in recent years. 6. Marredpally: Developed as the "Married Officers’ Colony" by the Cantonment Board, it housed many Anglo-Indians. The name evolved to Marredpally for locals' ease. Once a hilly forest, the area gained prominence with the opening of Shenoy Nursing Home in the 1960s. 7. Sitaphalmandi: From sitaphal-mandi, the ‘custard apple market.’ There used to be a big market for custard apples in the area. Even now, one can find villagers and Banjaras coming in bullock carts and selling the fruit in this vicinity 8. James Street: After James Achilles Kirkpatrick, the East India Company representative and diplomat who served as the Resident at Hyderabad. It has been renamed Mahatma Gandhi Road. 9. Rani Gunj: From ‘Maharani Gunj,’ meaning ‘Queen’s Market’ after a grain market established in honor of Queen Victoria in 1888. She held the title Empress of India (Kaiser-e-Hind). Now this locality a major hub for automobile parts, and industrial tools & equipment. 10. Alwal: Derived from Alvars—the Tamil poet-saints who traveled singing hymns in praise of Lord Vishnu. In Tamil, Alvar means “immersed,” reflecting their deep devotion. The locality is home to a famous ancient temple dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara. 11. Lal Bazaar: Gets its name from the 'Red Jacket' that was part of the British soldiers’ uniform. This used to be a shopping market for British army. 12. Malkajgiri: Previously known as Mallikarjuna Giri, after a temple dedicated to Mallikarjuna Swamy. It became Malkajgiri in the course of time. 13. Gun Rock: From a hillock that once had a gun placed atop to ward off any advancing rebels in the past. A water storage tank was built here to supply drinking water to the cantonment area 14. Lalaguda: Literally ‘red neighborhood,’ the locality derives its name from many Anglo-Indians once inhabiting the area. It’s also known as Little England. 15. Tarnaka: Literally ‘barbed fence with a security post.’ During the Nizam era, this area had a mango orchard owned by a Nawab. To safeguard his fruit, he fenced off the farm with a barbed fence (“tar”) and had a security post (“naka”) to monitor the travelers and passersby. 16. Habsiguda: From Habshi-guda, village of Habshis. Habshis are people from Abyssinia, which is modern-day Ethiopia. Known for their loyalty and stamina, this locality once boasted a good number of African immigrants who served as personal guards of the Nizam. 17. S Rao Nagar: After Dr Ayyagari Sambasiva Rao, a scientist and founder of the ECIL. A man of immense intellect and legendary character, he studied in BHU and Stanford. Known for his simplicity, Dr Rao used to travel in city buses even after 80, never seeking a seat. 18. Moula Ali: Legend has it that Yaqut, a eunuch in the court of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah (the 4th sultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty), was ill. Yakut had a dream in which he sees Ali ibn Abi Talib (aka Ali, Hazrat Ali) seated atop a hill, resting his hand on a stone.Ali was the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. The next morning Yaqut’s illness was cured. When he visited the hill, to his surprise he found a stone with the palm marks of Ali on the hill. Yaqut is said to have exclaimed MOULA ALI, meaning “My Lord Ali.” Source: @NarrativeNest on X