Hyderabadi

Hyderabadi is an adjective referring to Hyderabad, a major city in southern India, and to the former princely state of Hyderabad. It describes people from the city or region, as well as things associated with its culture, cuisine, language, and heritage. The city of Hyderabad is the capital of Telangana and was founded in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah; tradition holds that it was named after Hyder Mahal, the chief minister’s wife. The region’s rulers—the Qutb Shahi dynasty and later the Asaf Jahi (Nizam) rulers—helped shape a syncretic culture that blends Persianate, South Asian, and Deccan influences.

The term Hyderabadi can denote residents of the city and, in broader usage, of the Telangana region. The local language tradition centers on Hyderabadi Urdu, also called Deccani, a variant of Urdu with Telugu and Marathi input; many residents are bilingual in Telugu or other regional languages, contributing to a distinctive linguistic blend.

Hyderabadi cuisine is renowned for its biryani, especially the dum-style Hyderabadi Biryani, which can be kacchi (raw marinated meat cooked with rice) or pakki (cooked meat layered with rice). Signature dishes also include haleem, bagara baingan, mirchi ka salan, khubani ka meetha, and double ka meetha, reflecting a heritage shaped by both Muslim and Hindu culinary traditions.

Classic landmarks such as Charminar and Golconda Fort, along with a long-standing tradition of pearls and bustling markets, are notable aspects of Hyderabadi culture. In modern times, Hyderabad has become a major IT and pharmaceutical hub, shaping a cosmopolitan identity that continues to influence the definition of what is Hyderabadi.