International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS)

Available online at: http://euroasiapub.org Vol. 8 Issue 5, May- 2018 ISSN(o): 2249-7382 | Impact Factor: 6.939 |

Quṭb shahi Dynasty in of State-a Historical Study

T.RAVINDAR. Research scholar. Department of History. Telangana: Hyderabad. Telangana:-500007

Abstract

Quṭb Shāhī dynasty, (1518–1687), Muslim rulers of the kingdom of Golconda in the southeastern Deccan of , one of the five successor states of the Bahmanī kingdom. The founder was Qulī Quṭb Shah, a Turkish governor of the Bahmanī eastern region, which largely coincided with the preceding Hindu state of . Quṭb Shah declared his independence in 1518 and moved his capital to Golconda. Toward the end of the century, Muḥammad Qulī Quṭb Shah built a new capital at Hyderabad, a few miles away. The kingdom was noted for its gold and diamonds. Its government was a Muslim military aristocracy; Persian influence was strong, and the belonged to the Shīʿīte sect of Islam. Relations of the dynasty with the Hindu Telugus were generally good. Golconda took part in the overthrow of Vijayanagar (1565) and thereafter was mainly concerned with expansion along the coastal Carnatic (Karnakata). In 1687 the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb annexed the kingdom. erritory of Golconda lay between the lower reaches of the Godavari and Krishna rivers and extended to the Bay of Bengal coast. In 1687 the ruling dynasty of Quṭb Shāhī was overthrown by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, and Golconda was annexed to the Mughal Empire (1526–1857). The fortress is 3 miles (5 km) in circumference, with concentric masonry block walls. Palaces, , and the Quṭb Shāhī tombs still remain intact and are a major tourist attraction. Historically, the Golconda region was renowned for its diamonds, derived from the conglomerate rocks of the nearby hills, including the world-famous Koh-i-noordiamond.

Keywords:Quṭb shahi Dynasty, Telangana, Hyderabad, Economy

International Journal of Research in Economics & Social Sciences 244 Email:- [email protected], http://www.euroasiapub.org (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS)

Available online at: http://euroasiapub.org Vol. 8 Issue 5, May- 2018 ISSN(o): 2249-7382 | Impact Factor: 6.939 |

Introduction

Erected in the memory of the departed kings of Golconda, they are magnificent monuments that have withstood the test of time and nature’s vagaries. They are located one kilometer north of ’s called Banjara Darwaza. They are imposing marvels of architectural excellence that stand as the reminders of the glory of Golconda kings who are buried at the same spot. Built by the Qutub Shahis, these tombs are considered to be among the oldest historical monuments of Hyderabad.These tombs are present in a large group on a raised platform. They resemble Persian, Pathan and Hindu architectural styles that makes use of grey granite, with stucco ornamentation and is a one-of-its-kind place in the world where the whole dynasty is buried at a single spot. They lie amidst beautifully landscaped gardens with intricately carved stonework.The Tombs form the most reliable evidence of the Qutub Shahi dynasty and their architectural traditions. These are exquisite structures where every arch, columns, dome minarets, and galleries were created with finessed and are surrounded by landscape gardens called Ibrahim Bagh. It houses seven tombs dedicated to the former kings of Golconda. The tombs are dome like structures built on a square base. This is again surrounded by pointed arches. Each tomb is of quadrangular shape and rises around 9 to 15 meters above the terrace. The smaller tombs constitute single stories while the larger tombs are seen as two storied. The domes actually constituted of blue and green tiles, whereas only few pieces exist now. The Qutub Shahi Tombs are surrounded by enchanting minarets and there is magnificent tomb with a height of 42.5 m covered by large dome. The tombs were furnished with chandeliers and soft canopies on silver poles. These are the splendid mausoleums of the Golconda Sultans. During the Qutub Shahi period, legend says that these tombs were of great significance that even criminals taking refuge there were given pardon. The tombs were neglected after their reign until Salar Jung III took up their restoration works during the early 19th century

History

The dynasty's founder, Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk was a descendants of Qara Yusuf (from Qara Qoyunlu, a Turkish Muslim tribe). He migrated to Delhi with his uncle, Allah-Quli, some of his relatives and friends in the beginning of the 16th century, from Hamadan Province—(now in Iran then it was ruled by his ancestral Turkish tribe). Later he migrated south, to the Deccan and served the Bahmani sultan, Mohammad Shah. He conquered Golconda, after the disintegration of the Bahmani

International Journal of Research in Economics & Social Sciences 245 Email:- [email protected], http://www.euroasiapub.org (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS)

Available online at: http://euroasiapub.org Vol. 8 Issue 5, May- 2018 ISSN(o): 2249-7382 | Impact Factor: 6.939 |

Kingdom into the five . Soon after, he declared independence from the Bahmani Sultanate, took the title Qutub Shah, and established the of Golconda. He was later assassinated in 1543 by his son, Jamsheed, who assumed the sultanate. Jamsheed died in 1550 from cancer. Jamsheed's young son reigned for a year, at which time the nobility brought back and installed Ibrahim Quli as sultan. During the reign of , relations between and Muslims were strengthened, even to the point of Hindus resuming their religious festivals like Diwali and Holi. Some Hindus rose to prominence in the Qutb Shahi state, the most important example being the ministers Madanna and Akkanna. Golconda, and with the construction of the Char Minar, later Hyderabad, served as capitals of the sultanate, and both cities were embellished by the Qutb Shahi sultans. The dynasty ruled Golconda for 171 years, until the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb conquered the Deccan in 1687.

Economy And Culture During the early seventeenth century a strong cotton-weaving industry existed in the Deccan region. Large quantities of cotton cloth were produced for domestic and exports consumption. High quality plain and patterned cloth made of muslin and calico was produced. Plain cloth was available as white or brown colour, in bleached or dyed variety. Exports of this cloth was to Persia and European countries. Patterned cloth was made of prints which were made indigenously with indigo for blue, chay- root for red coloured prints and vegetable yellow. Patterned cloth exports were mainly to Java, Sumatra and other eastern countries. Initially, the Qutb Shahi rulers patronized Turkishculture, but eventually adopted the regional culture of the Deccan, symbolized by the and the newly developed Deccani idiom and became prominent. Although Telugu was not their mother tongue, the Golconda rulers spoke and wrote Telugu, and patronized Telugu so exclusively they were termed the "Telugu Sultans". In 1543, fearing for his life, Prince Ibrahim Quli fled to the Vijayanagar court, which lavishly patronized the Telugu language. Upon his enthronement as sultan in 1550, Ibrahim Quli was thoroughly acquainted with Telugu aesthetics. The Qutb Shahi rulers were great builders, whose structures included the Char Minar, as well as patrons of learning. Quli Qutb Mulk's court became a haven for Persian culture and literature. Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (1580–1612) wrote poems in Dakhini Urdu, Persian and Telugu and left a huge poetry collection. Subsequent poets and writers, however wrote in Urdu, while using vocabulary from Persian, Hindi and Telugu languages. By 1535, the Qutb Shahis were using Telugu for their revenue and judicial areas within the sultanate.

International Journal of Research in Economics & Social Sciences 246 Email:- [email protected], http://www.euroasiapub.org (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS)

Available online at: http://euroasiapub.org Vol. 8 Issue 5, May- 2018 ISSN(o): 2249-7382 | Impact Factor: 6.939 |

Administration

The Qutb Shahi Kingdom was like the other Deccan kingdoms, a highly centralized state. The sultan enjoyed absolute executive judicial and military powers. When expediency demanded, the post of regent was created to carry on the administration on behalf of the king. The Peshwa (Prime Minister) was the highest official of the sultanate. He was assisted by a number of ministers, including Mir Jumla (finance minister), Kotwal (police commissioner), and Khazanadar (treasurer). In the Qutb Shahi kingdom, all the muslims were paid allowances from the treasury. The Persian origin muslims had the highest respect and were paid the highest, then the other Indian muslims. The Persian origin muslims became rich by lending money on high interest (usury) of 4-5% per mensem much to the despair of Hindus. The Sultanate had 66 forts, and each fort was administered by Nayak. The Qutb Shahis hired many Hindu Nayaks belonging mainly to the Kamma, Velama, , and Raju communities. These groups mainly were the regional aristocracy, served as revenue officers and military commanders, but many of them fell into obscurity following the fall of the Qutb Shahis in 1687. Tax collection was through auction farms, the highest bidder used to get the Governorship. While the Governors enjoyed luxurious life style, they had to bear the brunt of severe punishments for default, consequently they were harsh on the people. People were in distress as the complaints of the poor never reached the sultans.

Tombs

Qutb Shahi lineage

International Journal of Research in Economics & Social Sciences 247 Email:- [email protected], http://www.euroasiapub.org (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS)

Available online at: http://euroasiapub.org Vol. 8 Issue 5, May- 2018 ISSN(o): 2249-7382 | Impact Factor: 6.939 |

This dynasty spanned 171 years in the history of . The eight kings of this royal line have left a firm impression of their strong personalities upon the land and its people. The Qutub Shahi rulers were great builders and patrons of learning. They not only patronized the Persian culture but also the regional culture of the Deccan, symbolized by the Telugu language and the newly developed Deccani idiom.

Qutub Shah 1 : SULTAN QULI QUTBUL MULK: The founder of the Qutub Shahi kingdom did much to strengthen and improve the capital Golconda. He beautified his fortress capital with mosques, palaces and gardens. On the foundations of the old mud fort Sultan Quli built a massive citadel. This city called Muhammad Nagar, soon grew rapidly and earned fame as one of the leading cities of the east,

International Journal of Research in Economics & Social Sciences 248 Email:- [email protected], http://www.euroasiapub.org (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS)

Available online at: http://euroasiapub.org Vol. 8 Issue 5, May- 2018 ISSN(o): 2249-7382 | Impact Factor: 6.939 |

well known for its trade in diamonds and precious stones. Sultan Quli's subjects thought highly of him and he governed kindly and well. But at the age of 99, the king died at the hands of his own son Jamsheed Quli.

Qutub Shah 2 : JAMSHEED QULI QUTUB SHAH: Jamsheed, the third son, took over the reins of government with blood stained hands. His seven years reign was marked by the people's resentment over his patricide. However, Jamsheed Quli was educated and loved poetry. He died in 1550 of on incurable disease.

Qutub Shah 3 : SUBHAN QULI QUTUB SHAH: was 7 year old, when he became Sultan of Golconda, after death of his father Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah in 1550 AD. Saif Khan also know as "Ainul Mulk" was sent from for the performance of duties of regent during the boy's development. Subhan died same year and his father's brother Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah ascended the throne.

Qutub Shah 4 : IBRAHIM QULI QUTUB SHAH: The youngest son of Sultan Quli Qutub Shah, Ibrahim, lived in exile as an honored quest of the Raja of Vijayanagar. It was during this sojourn that he learnt to love Telugu and speak it almost as his second mother tongue. When he ascended the throne, Ibrahim patronized and encouraged the learning and writing of Telugu as few Muslim or non- Muslim rulers had done before him. Poets from all over the Deccan converged at Ibrahim's court.

During his reign, Golconda was further strengthened. Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah invited his nobles to construct buildings within its walls, Mosques, Schools, Alms houses, and the Dam at , Budwel and Ibrahimpatnam were all to his credit. Besides, Ibrahim was noted for his able administration.

Qutub Shah 5 : MUHAMMAD QULI QUTUB SHAH: It was in the long, peaceful and prosperous reign of the fifth king Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah that the Qutub Shahi dynasty reached its zenith. Muhammad Quli was crowned king when only 15 years of age. He is best remembered as the great planner and founder of the city of Hyderabad. According to popular legend, the king was enamored of a dancer called Bhagmati, belonging to a small village of Chichelam where the famous now stands. He found Bhagnagar to perpetuate his love for her, the name of the city was accordingly changed by the king to HYDERABAD. Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, like Ibrahim, patronized and encouraged the Telugu language as much as he did Arabic and Persian. He was himself an accomplished poet in Telugu and International Journal of Research in Economics & Social Sciences 249 Email:- [email protected], http://www.euroasiapub.org (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS)

Available online at: http://euroasiapub.org Vol. 8 Issue 5, May- 2018 ISSN(o): 2249-7382 | Impact Factor: 6.939 |

fostered local traditions and rituals. He was also the creator of the first Deccani poetry. Muhammad Quli was hardly 48 when he died in 1612 after a fairy long reign of 32 years. He was a humane and just king, besides being a great builder and man of letters. Hayath Bakshi Begum was his only daughter who was married to his nephew and successor, Sultan Muhammad Qutub Shah.

Qutub Shah 4 : SULTAN MUHAMMAD QUTUB SHAH: The nephew and son- in-law of Muhammad Quli, Sultan Muhammad ascended the throne as the sixth Qutub Shah. A well versed scholar, he had a deeply religious temperament and was a connoisseur of good books. The Qutub Shahi chronicles were completed during his reign. He further contributed to the architectural achievements of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. The foundation of the principal Mecca Masjid was laid during his reign in 1617. He also began the construction of the building of Sultan Nagar. These projects were however not completed in his lifetime.

Qutub Shah 7 : ABDULLAH QUTUB SHAH: Son of Sultan Muhammad, Abdullah ascended the throne at the age of 12, his mother administering the kingdom till he attained maturity. He lived a life of pleasure and ease. Though the Kingdom was extended during his rule, it came under Mughal pressure in 1636. Golconda was attacked in 1656 and as a result, heavy indemnity had to be paid. He died on 1st May, 1672.

Qutub Shah 8 : ABUL HASAN TANA SHAH: Abul Hasan, also known as Tana Shah, was Abdullah Qutub Shah's son-in-law. He proved an able ruler and a staunch defender in the face of the Mughal might. He is remembered as a benign and tolerant king who placed his people's prosperity and well-being above everything else.

Conclusion Tana Shah was the last king of Golconda. During his rule, the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb seized the fortress of Golconda for a period of 8 continuous months. In 1687, the Mughals finally stormed the fortress after the gates were opened by a traitor. Abul Hasan was taken prisoner. He was held captive first at and then at Daulatabad (Aurangabad) where he died in prison after 12 years of captivity. Jan Sapar Khan, one of the nobles of Aurangazeb, accompanied Abul Hasan up to Daulatabad. He was later made the governor of the Deccan under the kingdom of Aurangazeb.

International Journal of Research in Economics & Social Sciences 250 Email:- [email protected], http://www.euroasiapub.org (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS)

Available online at: http://euroasiapub.org Vol. 8 Issue 5, May- 2018 ISSN(o): 2249-7382 | Impact Factor: 6.939 |

References 1. Keelan Overton (2020). Iran and the Deccan: Persianate Art, Culture, and Talent in Circulation, 1400–1700. Indiana University Press. p. 82. ISBN 9780253048943. Retrieved 1 July 2020. 2. Farooqui Salma Ahmed (2011). A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: From Twelfth to the Mid-Eighteenth Century. Pearson Education India. p. 177-179. ISBN 9788131732021. 3. C.E. Bosworth, The New Islamic Dynasties, (Columbia University Press, 1996), 328. 4. Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. p. 118. ISBN 978-9-38060-734-4. 5. Satish Chandra, Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals, Part II, (Har-Anand, 2009), 210. 6. Richard M. Eaton, A Social History of the Deccan, 1300-1761: Eight Indian Lives, Vol. 1, (Cambridge University Press, 2005), 142-143. 7. Nigam, Mohan Lal; Bhatnagar, Anupama (1997). Romance of Hyderabad Culture. Deva Publications. p. 50. 8. Minorsky, V. (1955). "The Qara-qoyunlu and the Qutb-shāhs (Turkmenica, 10)". Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Cambridge University Pres. 17 (1): 50–73. doi:10.1017/S0041977X00106342. JSTOR 609229. Retrieved 20 November 2020. 9. Khan, Masud Husain (1996). Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah. Sahitya Akademi. p. 2. ISBN 9788126002337. Retrieved 20 November 2020. 10. George Michell, Mark Zebrowski, Architecture and Art of the Deccan Sultanates, (Cambridge University Press, 1999), 17. 11. Masʻūd Ḥusain K̲ h̲ ān̲ , Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah, Volume 216, (Sahitya Akademi, 1996), 2. 12. Annemarie Schimmel, Classical Urdu Literature from the Beginning to Iqbāl, (Otto Harrassowitz, 1975), 143. 13. Satish Chandra, Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals, Part II, (Har-Anand, 2009), 331. 14. Moreland, W.H. (1931). Relation of Golconda in the Early Seventeenth Century. Halyukt Society. pp. 78, 89.

International Journal of Research in Economics & Social Sciences 251 Email:- [email protected], http://www.euroasiapub.org (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS)

Available online at: http://euroasiapub.org Vol. 8 Issue 5, May- 2018 ISSN(o): 2249-7382 | Impact Factor: 6.939 |

15. A Social and Historical Introduction to the Deccan, 1323-1687, Richard M. Eaton, Sultans of the South: Arts of India's Deccan Courts, 1323-1687, ed. Navina Najat Haidar, Marika Sardar, (Metropolitan Museum of Art 2011), 8. 16. "Opinion A Hyderabadi conundrum". 15 November 2018. 17. Akbar, Syed (5 January 2019). "Lazzat-Un-Nisa: Hyderabad's own Kamasutra back in focus - Times of India". . Retrieved 5 January 2019. 18. Salma Ahmed Farooqui, A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: From Twelfth to the Mid-Eighteenth Century, (Dorling Kindersley Pvt. Ltd, 2011), 181. 19. Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "The Qutb Shahi Monuments of Hyderabad Golconda Fort, , Charminar - UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018. 20. Narendra Luther (1991). Prince;Poet;Lover;Builder: Mohd. Quli Qutb Shah - The founder of Hyderabad. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN 9788123023151. Retrieved 13 January 2020. 21. Chapter III: Economics, Political, Economic, and Social Background of Deccan 17th-18th Century, p.57 https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/25652/10/10_chapter%203.pdfhtt ps://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/25652/10/10_chapter%203.pdf 22. , Pedarapu Chenna (1 January 2006). Readings In Society And Religion Of Medieval South India. Research India Press. p. 163. ISBN 9788189131043. 23. Proceedings of Seminar on Industries and Crafts in Andhra Desa, 17th and 18th Centuries, A.D. Department of History, Osmania University. 1996. p. 57. 24. : Practicing tradition today, Karen G. Ruffle, South Asian Religions: Tradition and Today, ed. Karen Pechilis, Selva J. Raj, (Routledge, 2013), 210. 25. Sarma, Mukkamala Radhakrishna; Committee, Osmania University Dept of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology Felicitation; History, Osmania University Dept of (2004). Glimpses of our past--historical researches: festschrift in honour of Prof. Mukkamala Radhakrishna Sarma, former emeritus fellow. Felicitation Committee, Dept. of Ancient Indian History, Culture, and Archaeology & Dept. of History, Osmania University. p. 326.

International Journal of Research in Economics & Social Sciences 252 Email:- [email protected], http://www.euroasiapub.org (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.)