For a typical Hyderabadi, the title ‘Beyond Biryani’ immediately sparks curiosity. What more could there be to discover about this beloved dish that has become a culinary icon and a staple in the city’s vibrant food culture?
As I delved deeper into Dinesh C Sharma’s book, the true narrative revealed itself in the fine print—The Making of a Globalised City.
Through a clever play on the iconic biryani, renowned science journalist and author Dinesh Sharma, a Hyderabadi by birth, entices readers into a captivating exploration of how the city, once synonymous with the Charminar, pearls, and biryani, has evolved into a thriving global metropolis over the last century.
Growing up in Petlaburj in the old city, and receiving his education from prestigious institutions like Vivek Vardhini, Nizam College, and Osmania University, Dinesh Sharma brings a unique advantage to his storytelling as a journalist. His deep connection to Hyderabad’s rich past and its modern transformation gives him a nuanced understanding of the city’s 433-year history.
It’s no surprise that his 300-plus-page book, classified as non-fiction, stands out as a well-researched, well-structured, and accessible account of Hyderabad. Beyond Biryani fills a gap in literature about the lives of great cities, tracing their evolution and various dimensions. The book presents a modern Hyderabad that almost seamlessly coexists with its rich heritage, shaped by the Qutub Shahi and Asaf Jahi dynasties.
Divided into three broad sections, Sharma’s narrative begins by exploring the role of the Princely State, particularly under the Nizams—Mir Osman Ali Khan and Mahboob Ali Khan (the sixth and final ruler)—who were instrumental in promoting science, education, health, and astronomy. They established pioneering institutions like the Industrial Laboratory, the Nizamia Observatory, Osmania University, hospitals, and medical colleges, laying the groundwork for the city’s post-independence growth.
The book sheds light on how the “Hyderabad technique” for safely administering chloroform was developed, with Dr. Edward Lawrie forming the Hyderabad Chloroform Commission in the 1880s to investigate and establish the efficacy of this anesthesia, securing Hyderabad’s place in medical history. Dinesh Sharma recounts how Nizam Mahbub Ali Khan sanctioned 1,000 pounds sterling from his personal funds to support Dr. Lawrie in addressing criticisms and conducting animal experiments, leading to the Second Hyderabad Chloroform Commission in 1889, which ultimately confirmed the positive and safe effects of chloroform on humans.
Another captivating medical narrative presented in the book is “Hyderabadi Mosquitoes and a Nobel Discovery.” This section details the groundbreaking work of British doctor Sir Ronald Ross, who discovered the malaria parasite in Hyderabad, earning him the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology in 1902.
The portion covering the years 1908 to 1948 is filled with intriguing stories that illustrate the Nizams’ significant role in guiding Hyderabad toward modernity. These narratives provide readers with a rich understanding of the city’s evolution and its contributions to the fields of science and medicine.
The post-independence period, particularly up to 1991, marks a critical consolidation phase in Hyderabad’s transformation into a hub for pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, life sciences, agriculture, electronics, and computers. During this time, the city emerged as the “bulk drug capital” of India, with the Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL) recognized as the ‘mother’ industry. In addition, a variety of public sector undertakings, including ECIL, BHEL, HAL, HCL, NMDC, and NRSA, were established, laying the groundwork for a robust manufacturing base, technological expertise, and a skilled workforce. The creation of clusters of defense labs, CSIR labs, and institutions focused on space further contributed to the city’s growth, alongside a surge of universities that brought with them exciting narratives.
The political leadership of the era played a crucial role in this transformation, and Dinesh Sharma has skillfully unraveled these stories, making them both engaging and informative. As an award-winning science journalist, he emphasizes the interplay of science, technology, IT, pharmaceuticals, and emerging technologies in charting the city’s growth trajectory, all while remaining rooted in its rich culture and laid-back working style, often characterized by a “Chalta hai” attitude.
His meticulous research and extensive interviews with numerous leaders in these sectors, combined with the significant time he dedicated to uncovering historical data from state and national archives, provide readers with a wealth of factual information about the development of institutions and the people who drove this progress.
The backstory of how Hyderabad’s entire IT sector emerged—from the early days of ECIL to the establishment of CMC, STPI, and the pivotal role of N. Chandrababu Naidu along with his dedicated team of bureaucrats and technocrats—is thoroughly explored in the book. Dinesh Sharma highlights how these leaders cultivated the right environment by providing incentives and making swift decisions that attracted national and global giants to invest in or set up facilities in the city, filled with intriguing insights.
Similarly, the narratives surrounding the growth of the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life sciences sectors are compelling. The establishment of ICICI Knowledge Park, the biotech park, and Genome Valley catalyzed rapid advancements, supported by institutions like the CCMB, CDFD, and various universities. The transformation of Hyderabad into a prime destination for global multinational corporations such as Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, IKEA, and Deloitte makes for an exhilarating read.
While the book offers a wealth of information for serious students of history, science, technology, and urban development, Dinesh also succinctly summarizes the key takeaways for the general reader. He notes that every time one searches a word on Google, launches a Microsoft product on their device, clicks on Amazon to make a purchase, posts a picture on Facebook, books a flight online, navigates city traffic with a map, takes a shared taxi, conducts a financial transaction, takes medication, vaccinates their child, watches a movie on their favorite OTT platform, or orders biryani through a food app, they are likely utilizing technology developed partly or entirely in Hyderabad. This connection to daily life illustrates the city’s integral role in the global technological landscape.
