ALL ELEGANCE: A visitor capturing the image of a portrait on his mobile at the photo exhibition `Mahallat', in Chowmahalla Palace in old city on Monday. — Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

HYDERABAD: The Chowmahalla palace -- seat of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty where the Nizams entertained official guests and royal visitors -- that was restored and opened to public last year, has a website now www.chowmahalla.com.

The website was launched by former Chief Secretary and Chairman of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation T.K.Dewan on Monday.

Mr. Dewan also declared open `Mahallat,' a photo exhibition of royal women of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty, at the Chowmahalla Palace.

The exhibition has a selection of rare photographs and portraits dating from late 19th century to more recent images and include Jahandar Unnisa Begum, sister of Nizam VI, of Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur with his wife Shah Taj Gauhar Begum Saheba.

Regal fare

Also on display are stunning portraits of women of Asaf Jah dynasty like princess of Berar, Durr-e-Shahvar and her beautiful cousin Niloufer Khanum Sultana in whose memory several institutions were set up in the Old City. The pictures of Esra Jah, who was instrumental in the restoration of Chowmahalla Palace and her daughter Shekyar too are on display.

The photographs apart from presenting the beauty of women of royal family, their lifestyle and dress sense, bring out the role played by them in social events, charity and landmark occasions like the launch of AIR. "They give us a peep into the lifestyle of the bygone era," said Dr. Aminuddin Khan, incharge of a few Nizams' palaces.

More museums

Creative Director of Chowmahalla Palace G. Kishan Rao said that with the restored palace becoming a popular venue for cultural programmes, corporate events and exclusive parties, the website was designed giving details about palace and to help those planning to host events there. More museums displaying the weaponry, lifestyle and the first Rolls Royce car purchased by Nizam would be opened soon at the palace.

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