Mahbub Chowk clocktower in Hyderabad

Clock towers were often erected in public areas in 19th century India. Why? Because in those days very few people had their own time-keeping devices. Clocks and watches were expensive. This photo depicts one of Hyderabad's good-looking towers; at Mahbub Chowk. This area used to be full of shops and traders; so of course a clock to tell the time was very useful.

The tower sits in the middle of a little garden; and is designed in a mix of Indian and European styles. It was constructed in 1892 by Asman Jah, the Prime Minister of Hyderabad. It was awarded the INTACH Heritage Award in 2008 because of its unique architecture: there are Qutb Shahi style brackets, Corinthian columns, stucco work, wrought-iron railings, etc; all harmoniously balanced.