Hyderabad House, one of New Delhi’s most iconic heritage mansions, was originally built for Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad, once the richest man in the world. Designed by legendary architect Sir Edwin Lutyens in the 1920s, the sprawling palace cost £200,000 at the time, equivalent to nearly ₹170 crore today. Spread across 8.2 acres near India Gate, the structure is known for its distinctive butterfly-shaped layout, grand central dome, long corridors, marble flooring, intricate wooden ceilings, and sweeping courtyards that reflect a blend of Indo-European architectural grandeur.
After Independence, the government took ownership of the estate, eventually designating it as India’s principal state guest house in 1974. Since then, Hyderabad House has hosted countless presidential visits, high-level diplomatic conversations, treaty signings, and state banquets. Its regal Durbar Hall, banquet rooms, and meticulously preserved reception halls continue to serve as the backdrop for major global engagements.
In 2025, during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India, Hyderabad House once again became the centre of international focus. The historic venue was chosen for key bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin, reaffirming its status as India’s most prestigious diplomatic setting. With its royal origins, architectural splendour, and decades of hosting global leaders, Hyderabad House remains a symbol of India’s heritage, power, and international diplomacy.
