Surprise! Not Just One—The World Has 84 Hyderabads!

Most people only know about two Hyderabads: Hyderabad-Deccan in India and Hyderabad-Sindh in Pakistan. But did you know there are 82 more cities, towns, and villages named Hyderabad spread across countries like Iran, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Bangladesh?

Despite these many namesakes, the original Hyderabad in India remains the largest and most modern of them all. Over the past 500 years, Hyderabad and its predecessor, Golconda, have inspired people worldwide.

Even the US had at least two places named after Golconda. Replicas of Charminar, Hyderabad’s iconic monument, can be found in cities like Bukhara, Uzbekistan. There’s even a bank in Illinois, USA, named after Golconda, and streets named after Hyderabad in Mississauga, Canada, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

According to Dastagir Anwar, a heritage expert, Iran holds the record for the most places named Heydarabad, with 71 towns and villages. Azerbaijan follows with 10, and India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan each have one city named Hyderabad. Interestingly, Bangladesh uses the spelling Haidarabad, while other countries, particularly Iran and Azerbaijan, prefer Heydarabad.

Historically, the British spelled Hyderabad as Haidarabad, as seen in old books and archives. The spelling later changed in the early 20th century, but records from the 19th century, such as the works of Sir Richard Francis Burton and Jean de Thevenot, show it as Haidarabad or Aiderabad.

The province of Isfahan in Iran, believed to have inspired Hyderabad’s design, has nine places named Heydarabad. Anwar notes that the name Heydarabad (or variations like Heiderabad or Haidarabad) comes from the Farsi word for “City of the Lion,” a title referring to Hazrat Imam Ali.

There’s some debate on whether Hyderabad was modeled after Isfahan. While many believe that Mir Momin Astarabadi, a prime minister during the Qutub Shahi period, based Hyderabad’s layout on Isfahan, Anwar points out differences in construction materials and design, suggesting Hyderabad’s layout might have been entirely unique.

The mystery of its inspiration adds to the charm of this historic city.

Key Points

Two Famous Hyderabads: Most people know of Hyderabad-Deccan (India) and Hyderabad-Sindh (Pakistan), but there are 82 more places named Hyderabad around the world.
Countries with More Hyderabads: These places are found in countries like Iran, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Bangladesh.
Largest Hyderabad: Despite the many namesakes, Hyderabad-Deccan remains the largest and most modern of them all.
Influence of Golconda: Hyderabad and its predecessor, Golconda, have inspired people globally for 500 years.
Hyderabad-Influenced Locations:
- US has had places named after Golconda.
- Replicas of Charminar can be found in Bukhara, Uzbekistan.
- There are streets named after Hyderabad in Mississauga, Canada, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Heydarabad in Iran: Iran has the most places named Heydarabad with 71 locations, followed by Azerbaijan with 10.
Spelling Variations:
- In India and Pakistan, the spelling Hyderabad is used.
- Bangladesh uses Haidarabad.
- In Iran and Azerbaijan, the spelling is Heydarabad.
Historical Spelling: During British rule, Hyderabad was spelled Haidarabad. This changed in the early 20th century.
Name Meaning: In Persian, Hyderabad means “City of the Lion,” referring to Hazrat Imam Ali.
Isfahan Debate: Some believe Hyderabad’s layout was modeled after Isfahan, Iran, but this is debated due to differences in materials and design.