An opulent mansion that resembles the White House in Washington, USA,  the British Residency stands as a proof of Hyderabad's colonial aristocracy and luxury. Set amid a lush garden, on the banks of the Musi river, this ornate building impresses with its 40-ft-high massive Corinthian pillars and two gigantic lions sprawled at either end of a 21-step marble staircase.

Designed by Lieutenant Samuel Russell of the Madras Engineers and commissioned by James Achilles Kirkpatrick, the British Resident (East India Company representative) in Hyderabad, around 1805, it housed British officials posted in the area. With a strong neo-classical architecture style, it boasts chandeliers that, locals say, were procured from King William IVth’s palace. Inside, there are galleried halls, among which the Durbar Hall with astounding proportions is awe-inspiring. It also has painted ceilings, parquet floors of inlaid wood flanked by giant mirrors and oval ball rooms. In 1949, the Residency became the Osmania University College for Women, known as Koti Women's College.