Gulzar Houz: From a royal birth off a fountain to a nightmarish inferno
When first built, the four roads around the fountain were nearly 350 ft wide; now the area is so densely populated that even sand would struggle to fall through
The tragic fire accident that occurred in Hyderabad’s Old City in the early hours of Sunday (May 18), claiming the lives of 17 people in their sleep, has shocked the entire city.
The blaze broke out in a building located in the Gulzar Houz area of the Old City. According to police, a short circuit is suspected to have triggered the fire on the first and second floors, where around 30 people were asleep at the time.
Seventeen people—including men, women, and children—lost their lives, with some dying on the spot and others succumbing to injuries in hospital.
The building where this devastating incident took place is located in one of the most important parts of the Old City—Gulzar Houz. A bustling commercial area, Gulzar Houz is very close to Charminar, making it a key hub of business and daily activity.
Locals refer to the entire surrounding area as Gulzar Houz.
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Historical significance
Gulzar Houz is not only commercially significant but also holds immense historical value. While the iconic Charminar, with its four minarets, is widely known, many are unaware that the rulers of the time constructed another set of four arches—Char Kaman—nearly 400 years ago, in grand proportions.
At the heart of this historical area, between Charminar and the Mecca Masjid, a large fountain was built. The four roads that branch out from this fountain area were once called “Jilu Khana” or “Guards Square”.
The junction where these four roads meet, centred around the fountain, was known as “Char-su-ka-Houz.” Over time, this evolved into “Suk-Houz” and eventually came to be known as “Gulzar Houz.”
Mughal-era construction
The fountain was originally built by Mir Momin Astarabadi, who served as Prime Minister under the rule of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah.
When first constructed, the four roads around the fountain were each nearly 350 feet wide. Over the years, however, as the area gained popularity among traders and businesses, it became heavily crowded. The growing commercial demand led many to encroach on public spaces, squeezing more business into smaller plots.
With shops and residences packed tightly together, the once-spacious roads and open areas have now become narrow lanes. The fountain, originally meant to serve the thirst of the Nizam’s soldiers centuries ago, lost its purpose after the monarchy gave way to democracy. As soldiers disappeared and police replaced them, the fountain too fell into neglect.
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Urban chaos
With the shift in governance came a rapid rise in land value and a spike in unauthorized constructions. The area, once spacious and serene, is now so densely populated that even sand would struggle to fall through. The roads are now lined with shops, homes, and commercial buildings, all crammed tightly.
In such congested settings, commercial complexes are often built in very limited spaces. As a result, in the event of an emergency, those inside have little to no chance of escaping. The three-storey building that caught fire followed the same pattern. The ground floor housed jewellery shops, while the top two floors were used as residences.
Fire Services Director General Y Nagi Reddy said the interiors of the shops had recently been renovated with wood-based designs. He expressed doubts over initial reports claiming the fire was caused by an air conditioner compressor blast. He stated that the fire likely began due to a short circuit in one of the ground-floor shops, which then quickly spread through the wooden interiors and engulfed the upper floors.
No escape routes
“Given how narrow the building is—with just three-foot-wide stairs connecting the ground to the upper floors—there was virtually no way for the residents to escape once the fire broke out,” said Reddy. “With no fire safety measures or alternate escape routes in place, such buildings become death traps during emergencies.”
He also pointed out that several other buildings in the area are similarly built, raising serious safety concerns. It now remains to be seen what action the government will take in response to this tragic incident.
(This article was originally published in The Federal Telangana)
