Hyderabad: The 125-year-old Kotwal House, once the Hyderabad Police Commissioner’s office, has been fully restored after years of neglect. This heritage structure was originally donated by the sixth Nizam, Nawab Mir Mahbub Ali Khan—Asaf Jah VI—who ruled the erstwhile Hyderabad State from 1869 to 1911.
Before independence, the Kotwal — the equivalent of today’s Police Commissioner — was one of the most powerful and respected figures in Hyderabad, enjoying the highest level of privileges. According to Deccan Terrain & Co., led by Mi Khan, which undertook the restoration, the police commissionerate system in Hyderabad was established in 1271 Hijri (1847 AD).
Over time, Kotwal House — also known as the Old Commissioner’s Office — transitioned into the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Zone), a role it continues to serve to this day.
According to Deccan Terrain, the old Hyderabad Police Commissioner’s Office showcases classic colonial-era architecture with strong European influences. At its core lies a central hall flanked by verandas on the north and south sides, while an elegant arched portico opens into a spacious courtyard.
The structure features Roman columns in the verandas, adding a touch of grandeur to its design. It includes a Madras terrace spanning approximately 4,500 square feet, constructed with stone and lime masonry. The building rests on heavy stone plinth beams that run along all structural divisions. Uniquely, the doorways and windows are formed using stone arches rather than traditional lintels, enhancing both strength and durability.
The building had remained unused for nearly five years and was declared uninhabitable due to age and lack of maintenance. In 2023, a formal restoration effort began when Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand signed an agreement with Mir Khan, Conservator-in-Chief of Deccan Terrain Heritage, to prepare a detailed project report and comprehensive conservation plan.
