The United States and Israel carried out attacks on Iran, resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. While some Iranians have expressed joy at the news, others are mourning. In retaliation, Iran has launched strikes targeting American military installations, escalating tensions across West Asia. Amid the ongoing crisis, residents of Hyderabad are recalling the city’s centuries-old historical and cultural ties with Iran.
Hyderabad’s architectural landscape reflects strong Persian influence, primarily due to its chief planner, Mir Momin Astirabadi, who hailed from Iran (then Persia). Serving under Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591, Mir Momin designed the city with gardens, fortifications, and monuments in the Persian style. Iconic landmarks such as the Charminar, Golconda Fort, and the Qutb Shahi tombs exemplify this influence, which remains visible in nearly all historic structures across the city.
Cultural and linguistic ties also endure. Festivals like Moharram act as bridges between Iranian and Hyderabadi traditions, while Persian vocabulary—including words like *darwaz*, *kharch*, *mehfil*, and *dawat*—has merged with Urdu and Telugu to enrich the local dialect. Culinary habits such as biryani, haleem, and Iranian-style tea also trace their origins to Iran. Many of the city’s iconic Irani cafes and biryani establishments were founded by Iranian migrants over a century ago, and trade continues with exports of medicines to Iran and imports of carpets and dry fruits to Hyderabad.
The Iranian presence is also reflected in the city’s geography. Irani Galli in the old city remains a prominent Persian settlement area, and Banjara Hills’ Road Number 7 was named Khamenei Road in honor of Iran’s first Supreme Leader. Hyderabad houses the Iranian consulate and preserves over a hundred Persian historical documents in its archives. During his 2018 visit to India, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani toured the Salar Jung Museum, Qutb Shahi tombs, and Mecca Masjid, highlighting the city’s Persian architectural heritage. Recently, Iranians residing in Hyderabad’s old city organized a rally in protest of the US-Israel attacks, underscoring the enduring historical and cultural ties between the two regions.