Hyderabad, Aug. 12 -- In Hyderabad, history does not just live in its grand palaces, bazaars and centuries-old mosques but also lingers quietly in tucked-away shops filled with relics of another time. Walk into these spaces and you will be greeted by the gleam of brass lamps, the patina of carved teakwood furniture, the crackle of old gramophone records, and the soft rustle of vintage textiles. Each object carries a story, whether it is a perfume bottle, faded postcards or a writing desk that once travelled across continents.

For collectors, interior decorators, and curious wanderers, the city offers a thriving but often hidden network of antique shops. Some are small stalls in busy markets, others are curated boutiques where every item ...