Hyderabad, Feb. 28 -- Ramzan has shaped the rhythm of life in Hyderabad for centuries. In the city's areas, from the time before sunrise to the moment of iftar at sunset, traditions create a shared cultural and social experience.

Similarly, during the era of the Nizams, who ruled the princely state until its merger with India in 1948, the observance of Ramzan was not only deeply spiritual but also marked by unique auditory and communal rituals that helped the faithful keep time and come together.

The era of cannons, peace, and community

One of the most striking traditions in the Nizami era's Ramzan observance was the use of cannons to signal the time for iftar (the breaking of the fast) at sunset. These cannons were fired from prominen...