An Architect's View of Deodis in Hyderabad (A Domestic Architectural Marvel)

Deodis are the traditional fortified mansions where the Jagirdars of Hyderabad lived. Jagirdars were the Nizam's officials who enjoyed the land gifted to them by the Nizam and lived off the land. Dozens of deodis with grand halls and serene courtyards held the secrets of distinct nobility. The nobles who lived in the deodis during Asaf Jahi rule made a major contribution to the cultural life of the city. 

The general impression which one gathers in architectural patterns of the larger deodis are the features of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The use of local material and structural technology were the primary means of sustainability. The basic structure of deodis which existed in rural Marathawada, Karnataka, and Telangana were enlarged and made more elaborate in Hyderabad. The deodis from acted as an important space for various social gatherings and judicial practices. Unfortunately, these deodis which once greeted the royals, aristocrats, and commoners were neglected and are presently in a dilapidated condition.