Chowmahalla Palace, Royal palace in Hyderabad, India

Chowmahalla Palace is a palace complex in central Hyderabad consisting of four main buildings and several courtyards. The central courtyard features marble flooring, ornate columns and a fountain, while multiple chandeliers hang from the ceiling.

Construction began in 1750 under Nawab Salaf Jung I and ended in 1869 during the reign of the fifth Nizam. The complex served as the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and venue for royal ceremonies across two centuries.

The name comes from chār, meaning four, and mahal, meaning palace, referring to the four palaces of the southern courtyard. The complex now operates as a museum, opened to the public in January 2005 after restoration led by Princess Esra Birgen. The Khilwat Mubarak, the Durbar Hall, holds a marble platform where the Takht-e-Nishan, the royal seat, was placed.

The museum section displays collections of vintage automobiles, royal artifacts, furniture and clothing from the Nizam dynasty. Most rooms are accessible through stairs, so some areas might be difficult for visitors with limited mobility.

The clock tower at the western main gateway, called the Khilafat clock, has ticked since 1750. A family of horologists winds the mechanical movement by hand every week. The three-storey tower has balconies and Mughal-style jharokha windows beneath half domes.