The Asmangadh Palace (Now known as St.Joseph's School) Malakpet

The name meaning, Asman for Sky, and Garh for home, since the palace was located so high on a hillock. It is located on the road from Malakpet and Dilsukhnagar.The palace presently hosts a museum displaying archaeological relics. The palace presently is converted into a school (St Joseph's Public School, Asman Garh Palace branch)

It was designed personally and built by the erstwhile Prime Minister of Hyderabad stateSir Asman Jah in 1885 on a hillock for leisure. He belonged to the Paigah family. He fulfilled his dream of building a home close to the sky. His real name was Mohammed Mazharuddin Khan, he was the grandson of the second Nizam, Sikander Jah.

Built in 1885, the palace has some unparalleled architectural features, for which it finds its name in the list of heritage buildings meant for conservation. A staunch believer of making his creations look different, Sir Asman Jah, chose the Gothic style with pointed arches supported by small Corinthian pillars and stretched arrow-slit windows to build this cosy resort. Then he topped the building with castellated battlements. All these features contributed to the illusion of a fortified castle perched atop a hillock at the edge of what was once a large wooded area.

A flight of steps leads to a platform from where the staircase branches off on either side, giving it an interesting wrap - around appearance. Another peculiar feature, the gateway at the entrance, which is in the shape of the royal turban of the Seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, was added much later in 1925-26. In the years gone by, this gateway too could be seen from a distance.

The Paigah Nawab ensured that the once well-furnished villa was a perfect place to unwind for the nobles tired from hunting down animals , big and small that came their way. No wonder it was one of the favourite resorts of the Sixth Nizam, Mir Mahboob Ali Khan. He never missed staying here, as the castle was strategically located enroute to Saroornagar and its surrounding areas, his chosen place for hunting big game.