Qutub Shahi Tombs – The Unsung Jewels Of Hyderabad

Qutub Shahi Tombs- The Unsung Jewels Of Hyderabad, Telangana, India

It was the month of June and not the ideal month to head to Hyderabad leaving the relatively cool environs of Bangalore. But professional and personal commitments ensured that we paid a visit to Hyderabad in the midst of a searing summer. We were no strangers to Hyderabad have been there multiple times. We however always looked forward to getting back to the city of Nizams on some pretext or the other. The rich heritage of the city and its vibrant culture always appealed to our senses. It was also the time of Ramadan and we hoped to have an immersive experience of the festival in the heritage city of Hyderabad. We also had somehow missed visiting one of the jewels of Hyderabad, the Qutub Shahi Tombs and hoped to make amends during this trip. This monument which stands somnolently in the shadow of the Golconda Fort is a requiem in stone to the Qutub Shahi rulers who are credited with the building of the historic city of Hyderabad, brick by brick.

Our Air India flight booking ensured that we had an uneventful flight to Hyderabad and we were soon in the city of Nizams, looking forward to making time to lose ourselves in a piece of history, the Qutb Shahi Tombs in Hyderabad.

Experiencing The Somnolence of The Qutb Shahi Tombs

The mid-day sun beat relentlessly on our back as we made our way to keep a much-awaited tryst with the Qutub Shahi Tombs, one of the best places to see in Hyderabad. An inconspicuous looking gate bang in the middle of a densely populated residential area leads into the sprawling grounds of the Qutub Shahi Tombs.

We forget the sun and the oppressive heat as we enter the shady environs of the Qutub Shahi Tombs. It is a vast campus lined with large trees, a cool breeze blows across in spite of it being afternoon. Bougainvillea flowers lend a touch of color to the landscape. We seemed to have the place almost entirely to ourselves as we moved around the grounds. A strange hush seems to settle on the place and expectedly so, considering that it is the final resting place of the sultans of the Qutub Shahi dynasty.

Brief History of Qutb Shahi Tombs And The Qutb Shahi Dynasty

The Qutb Shahi Tombs is a complex of tombs as well as mosques built by different rulers of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. The tombs lie less than a kilometer from the northern wall of the Golconda Fort. The sprawling complex of the Qutub Shahi Tombs in Hyderabad includes 7 major tombs dedicated to the Sultans of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, tombs of other members of the royal family, mosques, and even a temple that is a testimony of the secular character of the Qutub Shahi rulers.

The later history of the city of Hyderabad is inextricably linked with the Qutub Shahi Dynasty. It was in the early 16th century when Sultan Quli who was a governor of the then Golkonda region revolted against the ruling Bahmani Sultanate and established what came to be known as the Qutub Shahi dynasty. The rest, of course, is history.

It was Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah who was the fifth Sultan of the dynasty who built the city of Hyderabad in the year in 1591. It is said that invited architects and craftsmen from around the world including Persia to build the city. Hyderabad was built on a grid plan and was one of the earliest planned cities of India. The iconic Charminar and the magnificent Mecca Masjid stand as glittering examples of his patronage to art and architecture. The Qutub Shahi Tombs architecture is another glowing example of the refined and artistic tastes of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty.

In terms of the sheer number of years, the Qutub Shahi dynasty ruled the then Golconda Sultanate for about 171 years. Definitely not a big number when viewed against the expansive canvas of history. However, within that short period, the dynasty has left its indelible watermark on the historical firmament of the region.

The Qutub Shahi rulers were great administrators and patron of art, architecture, and culture. They were also secular and slowly embraced Telugu language and culture as their own. They allowed Hinduism to flourish along with Islam. The various heritage architectural landmarks of Hyderabad are a silent paean to their discerning artistic proclivities. These include the Charminar, the Mecca Masjid, Golconda Fort, Char Kaman, Taramati Baradari and last but not the least their own last resting place, the Qutub Shahi Tombs. The architectural style that comes forth in pleasant proportions in these structures is a harmonious blend of Indian and Persian elements and dubbed as Indo-Islamic architecture.

The short but sweet rule of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty was brought to an end by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who conquered the Deccan region in the year 1687.

About Qutb Shahi Tombs Hyderabad

The place where emperors sleep eternally, the Quli Qutub Shahi Tombs is the last resting place of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. The tombs which are magnificent examples of Indo-Islamic architecture and consist of exquisitely carved stonework. During the glorious era, the tombs were grandly embellished with velvet canopies, carpets, and chandeliers, golden spires rose to the sky marking the tombs of the Sultans to distinguish them from the surrounding tombs of the other members of the royal family and entourage.

Sadly the tombs had been ravaged by the passage of time and had fallen derelict, however, in the 19th century Salar Jung III had these restored and the past glory was revived partially.

Seven tombs of the Sultans look like seven pearls strung into an exquisite necklace surrounded by smaller gemstones. The first tomb is believed to have been built by Sultan Quli Qutb Mulk himself during his lifetime. The tomb is where he finally rested after being assassinated by his own son Jamshheed. He built the tomb in 1543. The tomb is built on an elevated platform in an octagonal shape. In the main chamber are three graves including that of Sultan Quli Qutb Mulk. His grave is identified by the inscription which refers to him as Bade Malik or Great Master. There are twenty-one nameless graves that dot the outer terrace of the chamber.

Not very far from the tomb of his father is the two storied tomb of Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah whose life is said to have been cut short by cancer. The tomb is without an inscription  Between the tombs of the father and the son stands the tomb of the grandson Subhan Quil Qutb Shah who graced the throne of the Golkonda Sultanate for a very short period.

The tomb of Sultan Muhammed Quli Qutb Shah’s is undoubtedly the grandest of them all as befitting the founder of Hyderabad and the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. This tomb was built in the year 1602.

As soon as you enter the complex you come across a tomb with a bulbous dome. This is the tomb of Fatima Sultan who was the sister of Muhammed Qutb Shah.

As you wander in the sprawling gardens you are overwhelmed by awe as well as wonder in the midst of many perpetually sleeping members of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. Tombs are everywhere, Sultans, their wives, relatives, and others. There are a few tombs in the complex that are of those who were not part of the royal family. The tombs of two favorite physicians or Hakims of Sultan Abdullah can be seen. Two other tombs belong that lie near the tomb of Sultan Abdullah is said to be the resting place of two of the Sultan’s favorite courtesans named Taramati and Premamati. tombs of the royal Hakims or doctors are found here too. Legend has it that Taramati and Premamati used to dance on ropes that used to be tied between their pavilion and the balcony of the Sultan Abdullah. The pavilion is known today as Taramati Baradari and is another of the legacy of the Qutub Shahi dynasty.

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How To Get To Qutb Shahi Tombs

• The Qutub Shahi Tombs are located in Hyderabad which is the capital of the southern Indian state of Telangana
• Hyderabad is well connected to all towns and cities of India by road, rail, and air
• Hyderabad has the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport which connects the city to major cities of the world like London, Dubai, Sharjah, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and others
• The Qutub Shahi Tombs are located at a distance of about 29 km from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
• The Qutub Shahi Tombs can be reached using public transport, autorickshaw, or Taxi

Map for Qutub Shahi Tombs

Qutb Shahi Tombs FAQ

Is there an entry fee for the Qutub Shahi Tombs?

There is a nominal fee of INR 10 for adults and INR 5 for children along with a camera fee of INR 20, there is a separate parking fee for cars.

What are the Qutub Shahi Tombs timings?

The Qutub Shahi Tombs are open from 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM and are closed to the public on Fridays.

How much time is required to visit the Qutub Shahi Tombs?

One should plan for about 3-4 hours to see the Qutub Shahi Tombs leisurely.

Is it possible to take Qutub Shahi Tombs photos?

Yes, photography is allowed at a nominal fee of Rs. 20 for still cameras.

What is the Qutub Shahi Tombs address?

Qutub Shahi Tombs Hyderabad address is Qutub Shahi Tombs, Hyderabad, Telangana 500008.

Who established Qutub Shahi dynasty of Golconda?

It was established by Sultan Quli Qutb Mulk.

What to Know Before You Go to Qutab Shahi Tombs in Hyderabad?

It is good to know a bit of the history of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty, the Emperors of Golconda, who ruled the Deccan before visiting the 7 Qutub Shahi Tombs Hyderabad as it will enable one to appreciate the monument better.

Is Qutub Shahi Tombs haunted?

Given the fact that the place is filled with graves, many myths are bound to float around, but we did not feel anything when we visited it.

What is the Qutub Shahi Tombs to Golconda Fort distance?

It is about 1.5 kilometers only.

Who built 7 tombs?

The tombs are the resting places of the different sultans of the Qutb Dynasty and in most cases were built by the respective Sultans themselves as was the prevalent custom.

Are there any other places near Qutb Shahi Tombs which are worth a visit?

Golconda Fort and Taramati Baradari are two places which are near the Qutub Shahi Tombs that one must visit.

We hope you find our Qutb Shahi Tombs blog useful and informative. As for us we really enjoyed losing ourselves in the lost chapters of the history of Hyderabad and returned with the seven tombs images haunting our minds.

Do let us know if you want any more information about this wonderful monument of Hyderabad, we shall be happy to hear from you.

You might want to read our other posts on Hyderabad:

Top Things that you must do in Hyderabad
Ramadan Food In Quintessential Hyderabad
Experiencing Ramadan Food Walk in Hyderabad, India
Novotel Hyderabad Airport Hotel – A Blend of Leisure, Luxury, and Business

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