Old-world charm Heritage Fish Market building in Begum Bazaar stands forgotten amid urban rush

Hyderabad: The City of Pearls is full of heritage buildings, most of them being well-preserved.

These artefacts of history are a point of pride for locals who proudly display them for enthusiastic visitors from all over the world.

One such gem is the Heritage Fish Market building in Begum Bazaar.

Fish Market

Not to be confused with the building shaped as a fish in Rajendranagar, which is the headquarters for the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), the fish market building in Begum Bazaar is old-world charm.

Asif Ali Khan, the Hyderabad architect, recently posted on social media about the building and brought to the notice of Hyderabad’s citizens an old, mostly forgotten heritage building with a Machhi Market in the heart of Begum Bazaar.

Explaining the architecture of the building, he wrote in the post, “This is more than 100 years old, abandoned ‘Machhi Market’ (fish market) at Begum Bazaar with a very well-built stone structure. It has a central entry with shop enclosures on either side of the aisle. The central passage bears a high vaulted parabolic skylight all throughout the central aisle. The internal shop fronts are supported by square monolith dressed granite stone pillars and the roof above is a ‘jack arch’ roof.

However, he also highlighted the physical deterioration of the building and the need for its restoration: “The mild steel girders supporting the roof have deteriorated and rusted extensively, with a part of the roof having already collapsed in some areas.

“The exterior walls are of dressed stone masonry and appear to be still strong. A peepul tree is touching the exterior wall abutting the road and is already exerting undue pressure on the walls. It will surely cause damage in the near future by dislodging the load-bearing walls, ultimately leading to collapse,” he added.

Asif Ali further explained that the building’s layout is somewhat similar to the old ‘Mahbub Chowk.’

The whole place is very dilapidated, with unhygienic surroundings and is in a state of high disrepair. It is a lovely heritage structure, lying unnoticed in the public eye. It should surely be restored, the architect appealed.

History of Begum Bazaar

Begum Bazaar, Hyderabad’s largest wholesale market, originated over 400 years ago under the Qutub Shahi rule.

Its name is derived from Humda Begum, the wife of Nizam Ali Khan, who gifted the land to merchants for trade. After that, it was established as a vibrant hub for household goods, spices and brassware, famous for its historic charm, busy lanes and daily massive trade, blending old-world feel with commerce.

Origins

The market began during the rule of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, making it one of Hyderabad’s oldest commercial centres.

Humda Begum, wife of Nizam Ali Khan (Asaf Jah II), later granted the land to merchants for commerce, leading to the market being named ‘Begum Bazaar’ (the Queen’s Market).

The Begum Bazaar is famous for the following reasons:

1. Wholesale hub

It is a massive wholesale and retail market for household items, spices, dry fruits, gold, silver, and even fish; it is the second-largest fish market in Hyderabad.

2. Old world charm

Known for its congested, narrow lanes that retain the vintage, bustling feel of old Hyderabad, similar to old Delhi.

3. Economic powerhouse

Daily transactions reach crores of rupees, attracting buyers and sellers from across districts and states.

4. Nizam’s legacy

The market embodies the heritage of the Nizams and Begums, a significant part of Hyderabad's cultural fabric.

5. Festive spirit

During festivals like Bonalu, the market comes alive with traditional goods, flowers and vibrant celebrations.

Hyderabad is known for its old architecture and beautiful restored Heritage buildings. One certainly hopes that the heritage building of the fish market will also soon be restored to its former glory.