History does interest all, as it tells fascinating stories from the past. Well, right in the heart of the city, in Koti, is the recently renovated British Residency. An erstwhile political powerhouse of the British residents in Hyderabad, the 200-year-old building has been restored to its past glory at the cost of Rs 17 crore and a timeline of 10 years.

The building is now open to the public, and it goes without saying, it’s abuzz with activity. The European style structure stands on the premises of Koti Women’s College, which was once Osmania University College for Women, which will now be called the Telangana Women’s University.

Apart from the Durbar Hall, the British Residency has seven rooms on the ground floor and nine on the first floor. It was abandoned once the British left India in 1947. In 2002, the building gained attention when the World Monuments Watch declared it among the 100 most endangered sites in the world.

Incidentally, after it is open to the public, photoshoots and shootings will be allowed in the building. Though it was earlier decided that the shootings would be allowed only outside the building, they can now be done with a fee. While a simple photoshoot costs Rs 100, shootings can cost Rs 1.5 lakh per day outside and Rs 3 lakh inside.

However, shootings will be permitted on holidays so as to not disturb the college students. The beautiful ceilings made of papier-mache with their multi-colored flowers and vegetable patterns and gilded beadings in the Darbar Hall are a special highlight of the Residency. The chandeliers in the 60-feet high Darbar Hall and fans are still in working condition, while the woodwork in the building is of Burma teak wood.

One can watch a 15-minute movie on how the Residency was established or check out the newly opened information and interpretation center. The entry for foreign nationals is Rs 200, while it’s 100 for locals and Rs 50 for students.