Sarais (rest-houses) are a quaint mixture of the desolate water holes and oases for the weary, long-distance travellers. This one at the Shaikpet village, near Golconda fort, was built for those travelling between Bombay in the west, and Machilipatnam in the east. Comforts at this and other sarais were better than those that are available at modern inns and rest- houses. As they were built in the 16th century, the Sarais are also found in Hayath Nagar village towards the east of Hyderabad.