ONE Introduction THE DYNASTIES Sec. 1 The Qutb Shahs On the break up of the Bahmani Kingdom towards the close of the fifteenth century and the beginning of the sixteenth century there arose in the Deccan five different sultanates. Of these Golconda was one. It was founded by Sultan Quli a member of the Black Sheep (Qara Quyunlu) Tribe 2 During Bahmani rule a number of foreigners from Iran and other places used to migrate to the Decoan which was for them a land of opportunities. Some of the emigrants rose to high position and Sultan Quli by his abilities rose to be the governor (tarafdar) of Tilangana.^ Sultan Quli joined service under Mahmud Shah Bahmani when a conflict between such emigrants (Afaqis) and the native called Deccani people had become deep rooted and hence a decisive factor in power politics of the Deccan. z The Bahmani Sultanate was tottering under the pressure of that conflict. The nobles were maneuvering to break away from the Sultanate and assume autonomy within a jurisdiction under their control. Sultan Quli was no less ambitious and capable of such autonomy than any other noble in the Beccan, Nevertheless he was scrupulous and preferred slow and steady measures to revolution. With a view to maintain his status in the society of states he joined the/^afavi Movement.) That c alliance was essential for the survival of his Sultanate since the other Sultanates of the Deccan like Bijapur and Ahmadnagar 4 had fallen in with the same movement. SULTM QULI Sultan Quli Qu-^b Shah was a disciple of Shah Na'^yimu• ddin 5 Ni'^matullah of Yazd* As the Sufi households of Iran were assuming a Shi'ite character by the close of the fifteenth century Sultan Quli Qutb Shah too adhered to the Shi'ite 6 faith, which subsequently he upheld as a State Religion. Sultan Quli was a good administrator and a military expert. By 921/1515 he could have captured Yenuconda, Bellamconda, Nagarjunaconda and a few other forts from Vijayanagar. He next annexed Vijayawada. He had to resist the invasions of the Rayas of Vijayanagar and the Gajapatis and recapture Warangal, Kammammet, Devarconda and Nalgonda.' He first strengthened the fort of Golconda and Q then advanced to restore the territories lost by him. He defeated Achuta Raya and annexed Pangal, Ghanapura, Koil- conda and some other places to his Sultanate. The reign of Sultan Quli Qu^b Shah extended over 26 years making an eventful history, His Sultanate stretched over the following parts of Telugu speaking area, i) Kaulas, ELgandal, Melangur, Warangal, Ramgir, Khammammeti Rajahmundry, Sicacole, ii) Kaulas, Medak, Golconda, Koilconda, iii) Pangal, - - - 9 Devarconda, Nalgonda, Kondavidu and Udayagiri* Sultan Quli Qu^b Shah was assasinated on 2nd Jumada II 950/2nd September 1543 by Mir Mahmud HamadanI who presumably did that at the instance of Sultan Quli's son Yar Qull Jamshid* YAR QULI JAMSHID AHD SUBHAU QULI Sultan Quli was succeeded by his son Yar Quli Jamshid in Jumada II, 950/September 1543» His younger brother Ibrahim Quli fled to Vijayanagar, Jamshid neither cared for recognition nor/lie was/recognised by any of the ^ new Sultans of the Deccan except Nizam Shah, Jamshid died a natural death from Cancer on 3rd Muharram 957/22nd January, 1550 after ailing for over two years. His period especially in the context of international relationship is less eventful. There is no evidence of his coining into contact with Shah - 11 Tahmasp Safavi• He was immediately succeeded by his son Subhan Quli and in a few months Subhan's regime was overthrown by the 12 partisans of his uncle Ibrahim Qutb Shah* IBKAHIM QULI Ibrahim Qutb Shah was the youngest of Sultan Quli*s sons and was hardly fourteen years old at the time of hie father's death. Fearing his life at the hands of his brother Jamshid he fled to Vijayanagar where he was respectfully received. He remained as the guest of Rama Raj for over seven years. During the reign of Subhan Quli the court politics in Grolconda took a turn in favour of Ibrahim. Particularly the two nobles Mustafa Khan Ardastani and Jagdev Rao were the strong supporters of Ibrahim, who occupied the Qutb Shahi throne on 12th Rajab 957/27th July, 1550. Having lived for a considerable period at Vijayanagar Ibrahim Qutb Shah had a better understanding iii the Deccan '^'-/ affairs than his predecessors tad. He loved a policy of peace and non alignment but in about a decade he got involved in the politics of the Deccan Sultans whom he joined in the battle of Banihatti^^ which took place on 28th Jumada II 97^ 23rd January 1565 in which a league of four Sultans made a strong attempt to overthrow the Vijayanagar Bapire* Though Vijayanagar could not have been annihilated, she was much weakened* It was a period when Hindustan was again having a powerful Centre with AKbar and the Safavi movementMsee Sec. 2 below) was gaining influence in the Deccan» That led the Decean Sultans and so Golconda to reorientate their foreign policy* He had sent his representatives both to the Mughal as well as to the Safavi court. The capital developed into a cosmopolitan city during his reign and a considerable influx of Iranian elite is noticed. The cultural personality of Golconda starts taking its shape from his times* He died on 21st Rabi II 988/5th June, 1580 after ruling for thirty one years.^ MUHAMMAD QULI Muhammad Quli was the third son of Ibrahim Qutb Shah €ind about fourteen years old at the time of his accession. He was not trained in statecraft and wasjaqre interested in art and cultural activities. The administration was actually looked after by Mir Muhammad Mumin Astarabadi who was appointed peshwa of the Sultanate and Muhammad Amin Shahrastani the Mir Jumla. 6 There is a series of minor skirmishes on the frontiers and revolts by certain chieftains within the Sultanate. Most of whidi were subjugated by the efficient mi lit arimanship^ of Mir Jumla, Though Vijayanagar ceased to be a menace, Golconda had to experience the Mughal oppression on the ^ Deccan in 1005/1600 when the allied forces of the Deccan Sultanates including Golconda failed to save Ahmadnagar at the battle field of Sonpat, In the Deccan Golconda and Bijapur were now the autonomous Sultanates which had to J 'I seek their survival either by resisting the expanding sway! of Hindustan or by submitting their allegiance to her. In such circumstances Mir Muhammad Miimln played an important role for creating a harmony within various sections and levels of society on the one hand and in balancing foreign policy on the other. The reign of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah has been taken as the zenith of the dynastic rule. It was during this period both the native as well as the Iranian type of culture flourished in Hyderabad - a city which was founded by himself. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah died on 17th Zilqada 1020/ 11th January 1612 at the age of forty seven and a reign of 15 thirty seven years. "^ MUHAMMAD Sultan Muhaoimad Quli Qutb Shah had only one daughter Hayat BaksTii Begum and no son» He was succeeded by his nephew and son-in-law prince Muhammad who ruled as Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah. Sultan Muhammad had received his training in statecraft by Mir Mhammad Miimin who w^ continued as peshwa till his death on 2nd Jumada I 1034/ 31st January, 1625» The reign of Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah was a period of peace and prosperity. He suffered little from the Mu^al menace and managed with them by paying peshkasH. Prince Shah Jahan was helped by him when he revolted against Jahangir. He encouraged the influx of Iranian intellectuals at a very large scale. He was a good scholar and patronised Shi'ah scholarship in Golconda. He died on 13th Jumada I 1035/31st January, 1626 after ruling 16 for fourteen years. *ABDULIAH "Abdullah Qutb Shah ascended the throne on 14th Jumada I 1035/1st February 1626 at the age of about twelve years# His mother Hayat Bakjshi Begum had her hand in con­ trolling the state of affairs as queen dowager. Many administrative changes were effected during the first two years of his reign. On 9th Ramazan 1038/22nd April, 1629 Shaikh Muijammad Ibn Khatun was appointed as the Peshwa of 17 — the Sultanate. The Mughal presfsure was increasing on 8 GrOlconda and Bijapur during the reign of Shah Jahan, the new peshwa had therefore to play a very significant role in negotiating peace with the Muglials, In Zilhijjah 1045/May, 1636 Ibdullah Qutb Shah had toCsubaiit his allegiancfe to the Mughals through a Deed r of Submission (Inqiyad Namah) which rendered Golconda weak and opened to Mughal interference. The same year Mir Miihaminad Sa'id Ardastani was appointed as Sar Daftar of the important Sarkars of Masulipatam Nizampatam and Mustafa- 18 nagar* Mu^t^arainad Sa'id soon rose to the position of 19 — 20 Havaladar of Masulipatam and then as Sarkhayl in the year 1052/1642. He was ultimately appointed as Mir Jumla, Consequent on the death of Shaikh Ibn fhatun in 1058/1648 he was the strongest man in the Sultanate* Mir Muhammad Sa'id an able administrator, anExpert militariman and a wizard of internal and external trade as he was, made a remarkable contribution in expanding and strengthening the Sultanate. He conquered the provinces (Atraf) of Eastern Karnatak up to Jingl and annexed them to Golconda. He exploited gem fields^at^a very large scale and promoted overseas trade. Though the Sultanate was strong with him but the Sultan was intimidated with the presence of such a strong person.