Dewan Deori - the Magnificent Palace complex of Mir Alam & Salar Jungs
The Forgotten Grandeur of Dewan Deori: Echoes from Hyderabad’s Glorious Past
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The Gateway to a Forgotten World
Tucked away in the old quarters of Hyderabad, opposite the Madina building in Patthargatti, stands a quaint solitary gateway.
It is the last remaining vestige of what was once a sprawling and opulent estate - known to the old timers of Hyderabad as the Dewan Deodi palace.
Today, only the gate stands - a reminder of a bygone era of Hyderabad rich historical past.
Constructed by Mir Alam.
The Dewan Deodi was constructed during the tenure of Dewan Mir Alam, the Prime Minister of Nizam III Sikander Jah, the Dewan Deori complex once stretched majestically from the banks of the Musi River all the way to the Mir Alam Mandi.
The Dewan Deori or the Ministers Mansion was the official residence of the Mir Alam, who rose up through the ranks and became the dewan - prime minister- under the 3rd Nizam, Sikander Jah. (see blog entry on Mir Alam for details)
A Once Majestic Estate
Also known later as the Salar Jung estate, it housed Mir Alam's descendants, the Salar Jungs who also served as prime ministers to later Nizams.
Dewan Deori was a vast estate that housed grand palaces, elegant guesthouses, lush gardens, and intricately designed pavilions—all offering sweeping views of the Musi river that still winds through the heart of Hyderabad.
Being the residence of the Dewan it served multiple functions; as the residence, office, hosting venue for many visiting parties & royal dignitaries.
On the estate, there were several buildings like the:
The Guest House (above)
Aaina Khana - the mirror or glass room
the Nizam Bagh
the Noor Mahal
Cheeni Khana - the ceramic room,
The Lakkad Kothi - the wooden baradari
None of these buildings survive today. Only the gateway opposite Madina building has survived. (Wikipedia)
Historical Value
The estate holds deep historical and cultural significance, especially as it once served as the residence of several prime minsters of the Nizam.
Entrance to the Original Salar Jung Musuem
In fact, the gate itself, later functioned as the entrance to the original Salar Jung Museum up till the 1960s, before it moved to its subsequent buildings.
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Decline & Demolition of the Dewan Deodi Estate
Death of Salarjung III in 1949
The decline of Dewan Deori began after the death of Salar Jung III, Mir Yousuf Ali Khan (popularly known as Salar Jung III) in 1949.
No Heirs
With no direct heirs to preserve the legacy, the estate was eventually divided among relatives.
Sold off in parcels
It was slowly sold off piece by piece and palaces crumbled and gardens vanished to be replaced in time, by commercial establishments and the bustling market we today.
Today, Hyderabad’s memory of the Dewan Deori has faded—leaving behind just the gateway as a faint whisper of its former grandeur.
Today, the lone gate stands not just as a relic of architecture, but as a poignant reminder of Hyderabad’s rich political and cultural tapestry—a gateway not only to a once-magnificent estate, but also to a chapter of history that is largely forgotten.
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