About the book In the nineteenth and the early twentieth centuries, the nobles of the princely state of Hyderabad lived in palatial residences known as deodis, some 1200 of which once existed in the Old City of Hyderabad. Almost all of these traditional homes have been demolished in recent years, leaving little trace of a now vanished lifestyle. The Deodis of Hyderabad takes you on an evocative journey into the past as the author describes some of the prominent deodis and the lives of the grand nobles who lived in them. She recreates and recaptures the ambiance that once pervaded in these stately homes and then contrasts what once was, with what is left of the deodis. About Author Rani Sarma studied in the Andhra and for over twenty years when she lived in Delhi. She founded the Historical Society of Hyderabad and passionately believes that heritage should be conserved in all its forms. She is a member of INTACH and is presently engaged in many heritage and environment related activities in Visakhapatnam, where she and her husband live presently.