Barkas, Hyderabad

Barkas is a neighborhood in Hyderabad, India, located in the old city area. The name "Barkas" is believed to be derived from the English word "barracks". Before Indian independence, Barkas served as the military Barracks of the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Barkas
Neighbourhood
Barkas
Location in Telangana, India
Barkas
Barkas (India)
Coordinates: 17°18′47″N 78°28′58″E
Country India
StateTelangana
DistrictHyderabad
MetroHyderabad
Founded byNizam of Hyderabad
Named forbarracks
Government
 • BodyGHMC
Languages
 • OfficialTelugu, Urdu
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
500 005
Vehicle registrationTS
Lok Sabha constituencyHyderabad
Vidhan Sabha constituencyChandrayangutta
Planning agencyGHMC
Websitetelangana.gov.in

Barkas is now inhabited mainly by the Chaush community, who are direct descendants of the Hadhrami, Larzi, Al Hassani and Hussaini tribes is also one of the tribes who migrated from Yemen to Barkas Hyderabad, They were Arab military men and bodyguards from the Hadhramaut region of South Arabia (now part of the Republic of Yemen).

History

Before Indian independence, Barkas served as the military Barracks of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Nizams were surrounded by hostile rulers in the Deccan and chose to employ Arabs instead of the local military for safe guarding of the women of the nizam family. These Arabs formed the bulk of the Nizams' personal army and were more reliable as they could not defect to the rival states unlike locals and were trustworthy.

Many mentions state that the last Nizam loved their trait of Loyalty and trusted them more than anyone else. The Arab population increased during this period, settling in mainly in barracks on the outskirts of the walled, gated city.

Culture

The area is noted for its unique culture, which shows Arab influences,[1] which is integral to the Culture of Hyderabad.[2]

The local cuisine includes a sweet version of Harees (meat cooked with crushed wheat and spices) that is only available in Barkas. In the recent past Mandi, a Yemeni rice dish made with either chicken or mutton has grown into prominence which saw opening of multiple restaurants in Barkas and nearby areas.[3]

These restaurants also serve a variety of Arabic cuisine such as Kabsa, Majboos, Maqluba, Quzi, Saleeg and snacks such as Shawarma, Falafel and Mutabbaq.

Organisations

Barkas is home to Jaundice Medicine Barkas, a non-profit organization providing free jaundice medication. The organisation is led by a team from Al Qureshi tribe.

Sabi Ul Khair is a non-profit organization established in Barkas catering to the social development of the area. And it offers various schemes for the social development of the locals, like providing funds for marriage of girls belonging to poor households, funeral services etc.

Barkas also has a non-profitable organization called Bait-ul-Maal. The sole intention of this organization is to help the needy people and looking for the betterment of communities.

Main attractions

Barkas houses a lot of mosques especially the 'Jama'a Masjid'.

'Barkas Maidan' a multi-use playground, which is helped the growth of great sportsmen especially in the field of football like Habeeb Khan, Salam Aidroosi, Majid Khan etc. who have won laurels for Barkas in National and International level.

'Mandi Road' which is the main road of Barkas going to the Shamshabad Airport from Chandrayangutta crossroads. It is lined with many restaurants serving a variety of Arab cuisine. This road is named after the most popular Arab dish - the Mandi.[4][5]

'Barkas bazaar' also called 'Dubai bazaar' which is a market having all imported items from Arab states of the Persian Gulf. It also has many restaurants serving the Sweet and Salty harees as well as cafes serving the Suleimani tea and Yemeni Qahwah. Many locals and visitors can be found relaxing and chatting here. Some cafes also keep Sheesha for their customers.

'Barkas Kamela' or meat market has fresh poultry, mutton and beef which is supplied on daily basis even on large scale. The Al Quraishi tribe manage this market.

References
  1. "The haleem debate: Why some Indian Muslims are renaming the Ramzan delicacy 'daleem'".
  2. "Little Arabia - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  3. Aneez, Prabalika M. Borahzeenab (18 July 2014). "So, what's khaas about Barkas?". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  4. "Mandi: the Yemeni Delicacy from Barkas".
  5. Aneez, Prabalika M. Borahzeenab (18 July 2014). "So, what's khaas about Barkas?". The Hindu.
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