Tarnaka is a major residential suburb in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located close to Osmania University.

Tarnaka literally translates as "wired checkpost". In local language (Urdu) Tar means wire/cable and naka means check post. Tarnaka used to have a vineyard during Nizams period. An area called Kimtee colony got it's name from the vineyards called 'Keemthi Gardens'. [1]. The former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Chenna Reddy was a resident of Tarnaka. St.Ann's school was a land mark few decades back and it was a white building at that point of time hence the area was also called "White House".


History

The area was predominately dominated by Tamilians( predominately Mudaliars) few decades back as the time passed by they moved out of this location and the Mudaliars [2]., who were camp followers of the British, made immense contributions for the growth of education and health care and explained the growth of the Secunderabad Club from a public room.[3] as stated by Narendra Luther who is authority in hyderabad history. This area was indeed a big vineyards and every nook and corner would be checkered with large trees. Till the IT boom hit our hyderabad this place was one of the most serene place to reside with large bungalows and villas. The huge mango, gulmohar,Ashoka and tamarind trees spread over the roads from one side to another would provide huge shadows and extremely pleasant feel in hot summer. This place was well planned and organized place which all old timers would swear by but at turn of new millennium with IT revolution hitting hard with large influx of population and settlers the area swelled with lot more apartments and commercial buildings giving a complete new look. The canopy of tree was so dense that people never need to bother about shade in summer. Even till date the area does have its trees and vegetation which may not be as dense as past but still has the glimpses of past glory.
Commercial area

The shopping area has big shopping malls like Big Bazaar and corner grocery stores alike. This place has shops which caters to all possible needs of people. There is also a cinema theater called Aradhana 70 mm, which is visited by students from the O.U. and also the residents in the area.
Transport

Tarnaka is well connected by APSRTC buses..

The closest MMTS Train station is at Sitaphalmandi.
Interesting Facts

The main road which runs from Tarnaka cross roads to lalapet is actually the border of hyderabad district and ranga reddy district. So when your actually crossing the road your even crossing over the districts. This at times becomes the bone of contention between police station if any accident happens on this particular road, both sides would try to push buck to other saying it won't come in their limits. Another interesting fact is few schools in this area are registered with hyderabad dist and some with RR district. Tarnaka is the secunderabad cantonment limit and used to have milestone stating the same at tarnaka cross roads which now a petrol pump dug it out and thrown, unfortunately it was another part of history lost.uppal borders tarnaka which is in rangareddy district and osmania university comes under this two districts
Schools

There are many good and popular schools like Sandeepam Vidyalaya high school, St.Ann's High School for Girls, St.Jude's High School, David Memorial High School and Sacred Heart high school. Some new junior colleges which came up has made this a busy center for learning. The area has OU campus.
Institutions

* Andhra Pradesh State Archives and Research Institute
* Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology
* National Geophysical Research Institute
* Indian Institute of Chemical Technology
* osmania university (the heart of telangana)