About Paigah Tombs
The Paigah Tombs are a collection of magnificent mausoleums belonging to the Paigah nobility who served as courtiers for the Nizams of Hyderabad. Built between the late 18th and early 20th centuries, these tombs showcase exceptional craftsmanship with intricate marble inlay work, stucco decorations, and jali screens blending Mughal, Persian, Rajasthani, and Deccani architectural styles. Located approximately 4 km southeast of Charminar in the Santosh Nagar area.
Visitors guide
Visitors can explore a necropolis containing tombs of several generations of the influential Paigah family set within a 30-40 acre property surrounded by residential buildings. The site features ornate lime and mortar structures with unique geometric and floral designs, perforated marble jaali screens, and elaborate canopies. Each tomb displays distinctive craftsmanship with no repetitive patterns, including intricate stucco work and mosaic tile decorations. The complex includes a small mosque and is currently undergoing restoration work.
Key highlights
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Intricate marble inlay work and stucco decorations
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Unique blend of Mughal, Persian, Rajasthani, and Deccani architectural styles
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Exquisite perforated marble jaali screens with geometric and floral designs
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Tombs of the influential Paigah nobility who served the Nizams
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Distinctive non-repetitive designs on each tomb structure
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Ongoing restoration by Aga Khan Trust for Culture
History of Paigah Tombs
The Paigah Tombs serve as the final resting place for five generations of the Paigah nobility, who were fierce loyalists and highest-ranking nobles second only to the Nizams of Hyderabad. The first burial was Abdul Fateh Khan Tegh Jung in 1786, who founded the Paigah nobility and received the title Shams-ul-Umra. The complex was built and expanded between the late 18th and early 20th centuries by successive Paigah nobles including Amir-e-Kabir Nawab Sir Khursheed Jah Bahadur. The Paigah family held matrimonial alliances with the ruling Nizams and maintained their own courts, palaces, and private armies.
Culture & Context
The tombs represent exceptional Indo-Islamic architectural synthesis combining Mughal, Persian, Moorish, Greek, Rajasthani, and Deccani styles. The site showcases unique craftsmanship in lime and mortar construction with intricate stucco work, marble inlay, and jaali screens that are considered unparalleled in India. The Paigah family descended from Omar bin Al-Khattab, Islam's second caliph, and played crucial roles in Hyderabad State administration as statespeople, philanthropists, and generals.