Mahboob Chowk Clock Tower
| Mahboob Chowk Clock Tower | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of Mahboob Chowk Clock Tower | |
| Location | Hyderabad, India |
History
Mahboob Chowk Clock Tower is a five-storied architectural clock tower which was built in 1892 by Asman Jah, Prime Minister of Hyderabad. Named after the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad – (Mir Mahboob Ali Khan), the Mahboob Chowk area is considered to be an important part architectural heritage of Hyderabad.[1][2]
The clock tower is erected in the midst of the small garden; it has four large clocks on its sides which enable the time to be seen from any direction. The clock tower is designed in the Turkish style. The tower is located west of the Charminar, not far from Laad Bazaar.[3][4][5][6]
Restoration
The Mahboob Chowk Clock Tower for decades stood in a state of neglect, with its clock faces nonfunctional and the surrounding garden overgrown. The structure had deteriorated due to weathering and lack of maintenance, prompting concern for its preservation.[7] In 2018, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) undertook a major restoration as part of the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project. The works included cleaning and strengthening the stone masonry, repairing and restarting the four clocks, re-plastering damaged portions, and redesigning the landscaped garden with new pathways, benches, and lighting. The project, estimated at around ₹1 crore, successfully brought the century-old tower back to working condition after years of disuse.[8]
Since its restoration, the Mahboob Chowk Clock Tower has regained its prominence as a heritage landmark in Hyderabad’s old city. The tower, with its distinctive Indo-European design and restored clock mechanism, now serves as both a historical monument and a public gathering point. Its illumination at night has added to the visual charm of the Charminar precinct, and it is increasingly featured in heritage walks and tourism circuits celebrating Hyderabad’s architectural legacy.
References
- ^ "Mahboob Chowk clock tower cries for attention". The Hans India. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "Tourists tend to avoid Mahboob Chowk Clock Tower". Deccan Chronicle. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "Mahboob Chowk Clock Tower lies in neglect". The Siasat Daily. 21 October 2014.
- ^ "Hyderabad's Heritage – Mesmerising Architectural Splendours". KnowAP. 2 July 2009. Archived from the original on 20 May 2015.
- ^ "After decades of neglect, Hyd's 126-year-old Mahboob Chowk clock starts ticking again". The News Minute. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "Time stands still at Mahboob Chowk, only apathy ticks – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "Time stands still at Mahboob Chowk, only apathy ticks". The Times of India. 5 January 2017. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
- ^ Farooqui, M. M. (1 October 2020). "Famed Mahboob Chowk clocks start ticking again". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 3 November 2025.