Ratna G Chotrani/Hyderabad

Fatima Husna is fit, alert and blessed with a razor sharp mind that will make today’s millennials cringe. On her wooden side table near her office are various accolades, awards and certificates which she has picked up during her work.

"I can tell you many stories", she says, her eyes twinkling. As a tour leader with Deccan Archives and later with Taj Falaknuma Palace  as an i-n house historian, she curates heritage experiences and conducts walks for high profile guests.

When she was 19 year old Fatima Husna 's Father wanted her to pursue Science, while her interest lay in being a historian. Her mother encouraged her to pursue triple honours and a Master's degree in History which Fatima did with flying colours.

Her mother, who was her strength, passed away just before Fatima's 21st birthday .Her Father, who did not bow down to societal concerns encouraged her to pursue her passion. But as destiny willed she lost her father too during Covid.

That's  when her aunt took charge and asked Fatima to pursue something that would make her move on in life.

An interesting offer from Deccan Archives  which was followed by by an offer with the Taj Falaknuma Palace which she took up with skeptcism at the nature of work, the kind of people she would be surrounded by and the long hours of walks.

Her aunt was the only person who understood her love for history and encouraged her to pave her own way She convinced Fatima to pursue her dream but also convinced her other family members around.

People who wondered why she chose this queer profession, today ask how she did it. The most socially acceptable careers for scholarly Indian women, like. Fatima Husna, were  being a doctor, a teacher or her father's pick -- a scientist. In other words not a travel guide leader - a position long exclusively reserved for men.

But one demo tour and her soul came alive. She became the only female tour leader (guide)and a heritage walker. Fatima had discovered her new found passion – enlightening tourists about her beloved city.

Circa 2026, Fatima Husna politely offers you a seat the Taj Falaknuma Palace Hotel, which is flanked by palace  rooms, the iconic rose wood table featuring unique acoustics allowing conversations across its length  housed in an opulent 101 Dining hall, offering her guest some goodies before she starts of her heritage tour.

Since starting this life-changing gig a few years ago, Fatima has mastered running 3 to 12 hours of day tours of as many as 20 to 30 people at a time. Her unstoppable work ethics along with her innate talent, effortless charm  and relentless drive have earned her laurels from her guests.

Fatima has inspired her tribe to want to be day tour guides. Although there are setbacks at times due to long work hours, yet, Fatima remains dedicated to her chosen field.

"My true inspiration are the people I've met -around a few thousand so far!"

Fatima leads different types of tours, including the Taj Falaknuma, Qutab Shahi Tombs, Badshahi Ashoor Khana to Shalibanda, the Heritage walks or the Food Trails from Nampally to Charminar covering iconic spots explaining about the traditional dishes like nihari, paya, lukmi and the Hyderabadi chai offering insight into the local culinary.

This spring perhaps she would be curating walks at the famous Salar Jung Museum located on the southern bank of the Musi river With her talent to converse she has overseen the growth of Urban adventure.

“Being a tour leader is a continuous education. Meeting people from different countries and states, culture, religions and understanding their perceptions about our country gives one such insight” she says.

She is someone who believes in perfection and does not give anyone an opportunity  to point fingers at her. Dynamic, passionate and disciplined about her work she intersperses her stories with interesting anecdotes. With her sparkle in her eyes she recalls her own Paternal and Maternal Grandparents who served the Nizam’s Army and how her parents were childhood friends which later blossomed into love and marriage.

To her Tourists she narrates some interesting facts like the legend how Nizam used the Jacob diamond of 184 carat as a paper weight or Mehboob Pasha’s longest walk- in- wardrobes.

She easily switches from the Osmanian architecture to the magnificent view of the laad bazaar with ease or the famed bun maska from Nimrah , the malai lassi from Matwale and the famed Hyderabadi patthar ka ghosth.

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In the meantime Fatima Husna is in no rush to leave Hyderabad just yet. She will explore the world one day but for now, she's quiet happy having the world come to her.