Qutub Shahi Dynasty

In 1463, riots broke out in the Telangana area of Bahamani kingdom of Deccan. Sultan Quli Qutbul Mulk, a Turk who was a senior officer under Muhammad Shah Bahamani, was sent to defeat the trouble. He was a success and was rewarded by being made Subedar of Telangana in 1495, with Golconda as his head-quarters. Later, with the dissolution of Bahamani Kingdom in the early 16th century took the Sultan Quli virtual independence. Thus he founded the Qutub Shahi dynasty, which lasted from 1518 up until 1687, when Aurangzeb's armies swept Deccan.

This dynasty lasted 171 years in the history of South India. The eight kings of this royal line has left a strong impression of their strong personalities on the country and its people. The Qutub Shahi rulers were great builders and patrons of learning. They have not only visited the Persian culture, but also the regional culture in 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 embellished his fortress capital of mosques, palaces and gardens. Based on the old mud fort Sultan Quli built a massive citadel. This city by the name Muhammad Nagar, soon grew rapidly and gained a reputation as one of the leading cities in the east, known for its trade in diamonds and jewels. Sultan Quli's subjects thought much of him, and he covered a friendly, well. But at age 99, died at the hands of the king's own son Jamsheed Quli.

Qutub Shah 2: JAMSHEED QULI QUTUB SHAH: Jamsheed, the third son, took the reins of government with blood stained hands. His seven year reign was marked by popular anger over his patricide. However, Jamsheed Quli trained and loved poetry. He died in 1550 of the incurable disease.

Qutub Shah 3: Subhan QULI QUTUB SHAH: was 7 years old when he became the sultan of Golconda, after the death of his father Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah in 1550 AD. Saif Khan, also known as "Ainul Mulk" was sent from Ahmednagar to the performance of his duties as regent during the boy's development. Subhan died the 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 learned to love Telugu and talk almost like his second mother tongue. When he ascended the throne, Ibrahim patronized and encouraged learning and writing Telugu so few Muslim or non-Muslim rulers had done before him. Poets from across the Deccan converged on Ibrahim's court.

During his reign, Golconda was further strengthened. Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah invited his nobles to build buildings within the walls, mosques, schools, alms houses, and dam of the Hussain Sagar, Budwel and Ibrahimpatnam were all in his honor. Besides, Ibrahim was known for his able administration.

Qutub Shah 5: Muhammad QULI QUTUB SHAH: It was during the long, peaceful and prosperous reign of the fifth king Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah, the Qutub Shahi dynasty reached its peak. Muhammad Quli was crowned king, then only 15 years. He is best remembered as the great planner and founder of the city of Hyderabad. According to popular myth, was king in love with a dancer called Bhagmati belonging to a small village Chichelam where the famous Charminar now stands. He found Bhagnagar to perpetuate his love for her that the name of the town was changed by the king to Hyderabad. Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, and patronized Ibrahim, and urged the Telugu language as much as he did Arabic and Persian. He was himself an accomplished poet in Telugu and promoted local traditions and rituals. He was also the creator of the first Deccani poetry.

Muhammad Quli was almost 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 6: SULTAN MUHAMMAD SHAH QUTUB: nephew and son-in-law of Muhammad Quli, Sultan Muhammad ascended the throne as the sixth Qutub Shah. A well versed scholar, he was 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 results of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. The basis of the main mosque Mecca Masjid, was placed under his reign in the 1617th He also began construction of the building of Sultan Nagar. These projects were not completed in his lifetime.

Qutub Shah 7: QUTUB ABDULLAH SHAH: Son of Sultan Muhammad, Abdullah ascended the throne at the age of 12, his mother managed the kingdom until he reached maturity. He lived a life of joy and lightness. Although the Kingdom was extended during his reign, it came under Mughal pressure in the 1636th Golconda was attacked in 1656, and consequently had heavy compensation to be paid. He died on 1 maj 1672nd

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 proponent of the view of the Mughal maybe. He is remembered as a benign and tolerant king, who placed his people prosperity and welfare above everything else.

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