Review Of ReseaRch
Impact Factor : 5.7631(UIF) UGC Approved JoUrnAl no. 48514 ISSN: 2249-894X
Volume - 8 | Issue - 4 | January - 2019
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ARCHITECTURE OF QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY
Rajashekhar Gundappa
Assistant Professor (Senior Scale) Department of History, CES First Grade College Mannaekhelli,
Tq.: Chitguppa, District - Bidar, Karnataka.
ABSTRACT
Qutb Shahi architecture is the distinct style of
Indo-Islamic architecture developed during the reign of
the Qutb Shahi dynasty, also known as the Golconda
Sultanate.Qutb Shahi buildings are seen in the city of
Hyderabad and its surroundings. The Golconda Fort,
which predates the founding of the city is the earliest
example. The style reached its zenith during the reign of
Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, who founded the city of
Hyderabad and constructed the Charminar as its
centerpiece. The style is similar to that of the Bahmani Sultanate and other Deccan Sultanates, whose
monuments can be seen in Gulbarga, Bijapur, and Bidar. It is heavily influenced by Persian
architecture.Several buildings in the style were put by UNESCO on its "tentative list" to become a World
Heritage Site in 2014, with others in the region, under the name Monuments and Forts of the Deccan
Sultanate (despite there being a number of different sultanates)[1].
KEYWORDS : Features of Architecture, Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi tombs, Charminar.
INTRODUCTION
Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs and Charminar, located in Hyderabad, are the landmarks that
together symbolize the Qutb Shahi Dynasty (1518 CE. to 1687 CE.)The city of Hyderabad served as the capital
of the Qutb Shahis, the Asaf Jahi Nizams and is now the capital of the state of Telangana. Qutb Shahi Islamic
Sultanate was one of the five prominent dynasties that emerged in the Deccan following the downfall of the
Bahmani Dynasty in 1518 CE.Seven rulers of the Dynasty ruled for 170 years and successfully resisted the
Mughal attack till 1687 CE. It was the last kingdom to be absorbed in the expanding Mughal Empire. The
monuments of the Qutb Shahi period represent different building typologies. In this context the present
article attempts to fulfill the research gap. [2]
ARCHITECTURE OF QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY
Features of Architecture
The Qutb Shahi buildings consist of:
Expansive mosques and palaces built out of granite
Inscriptions including Persian poetry and verses from the Quran
Heavy stucco ornamental work and jali latticed screens
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ARCHITECTURE OF QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY VOLUME - 8 | ISSUE - 4 | JANUARY - 2019
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Golconda Fort Golconda Fort
(Urdu: “round hill”), (Telugu Gollakonda :
"shepherds' hill"), is a fortified citadel built by the Qutb
Shahi dynasty (c. 1512–1687), located
in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Because of the vicinity
of diamond mines, especially Kollur Mine, Golconda
flourished as a trade centre of large diamonds, known
as the Golconda Diamonds. The region has produced
some of the world's most famous diamonds, including
the colourless Koh-I-Noor (now owned by the United
Kingdom), the blue Hope (United States), the
pink Daria-i-Noor (Iran), the white Regent (France),
the Dresden Green (Germany), and the
colourless Orlov (Russia), Nizam and Jacob (India), as well as the now lost diamonds Florentine Yellow, Akbar
Shah and Mogul.[3] The complex was put by UNESCO on its "tentative list" to become a World Heritage Site in
2014, with others in the region, under the name Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate (despite
there being a number of different sultanates)
Qutb Shahi tombs
The Qutb Shahi tombs are the necropolis of the
Qutb Shahi rulers, set in a vast garden on the outskirts
of the Golconda Fort. The tombs share common
features: an onion dome atop a cube surrounded by an
arcade with rich ornamental details, with small minarets
featuring floral motifs.[4]The Qutub Shahi Tombs are
located in the Ibrahim Bagh (garden precinct), close to
the famous Golconda Fort in Hyderabad, India. They
contain the tombs and mosques built by the various
kings of the Qutub Shahi dynasty The galleries of the
smaller tombs are of a single storey while the larger
ones are two storied. In the centre of each tomb is a
sarcophagus which overlies the actual burial vault in a crypt below. The domes were originally overlaid with
blue and green tiles, of which only a few pieces now remain. The complex was put by UNESCO on its
"tentative list" to become a World Heritage Site in 2014, with others in the region, under the
name Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate (despite there being a number of different
sultanates)[5].
Charminar
The Charminar is one of the most recognizable
examples of Qutb Shahi architecture.[6]It was built
by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 as a
centerpiece for the newly built capital city of
Hyderabad. The Charminar is a large building, square
in plan, having an arch in each of its faces and a lofty
decagonal minaret at each of its angles. To the south
of the Charminar is the Mecca Masjid, which is one of
the largest mosques of India.[7] To the north of the
Charminar is the Gulzar Houz fountain, which is
surrounded by four arches, called the Char Kaman.
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ARCHITECTURE OF QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY VOLUME - 8 | ISSUE - 4 | JANUARY - 2019
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The arches are simple and do not have many embellishments. There used to be other Qutb Shahi palaces, as
well as a rose garden in the vicinity, but they were probably destroyed during the Siege of Golconda [8].
Other monuments
Another early structure was the Purana Pul, built in 1578 across the Musi River.The Qutb Shahi rulers
built elaborate caravanserais, or resthouses, including the Shaikpet Sarai and Taramati Baradari. The former
had had 30 rooms, stables for horses and camels; a mosque and a tomb of an unknown Sufi saint. Other
mosques built during this time include the Khairtabad Mosque, Hayat Bakshi Mosque, Musheerabad
Masjid,and Kulsum Begum Mosque.[9] The Qutb Shahi rulers also made considerable additions to
the Gandikota Fort.Under the reigns of successive rulers of the dynasty, architecture and art flourished in
the kingdom[10]. The earliest extant school of painting in the Deccan sultanates is from Ahmednagar. Several
palaces, such as the Farah Bakhsh Bagh the Hasht Bihisht Bagh, Lakkad Mahal were built, as were tombs,
mosques and other buildings [11]. Many forts of the Deccan, such as the fort of Junnar (later
renamed Shivneri), Paranda, Ausa, Dharur, Lohagad, etc. were greatly improved under their reign.
Daulatabad, which was their secondary capital, was also heavily fortified and constructed in their reign.
Literature was heavily patronised in the kingdom, as seen through manuscripts such as the Tarif-i Husain
Shah Badshah-i Dakan[12]. Sanskrit scholarship was also given a boost under their rule, as demonstrated by
the works of Sabaji Pratapand Bhanudatta The city of Ahmadnagar, founded by the Nizam Shahs, was
described as being comparable to Cairo and Baghdad, within a few years of its construction. It was modelled
along the great cities of the Persianate world, given the Shi'i leanings of the dynasty [13].
CONCLUSION/FINDINGS
The heart of the city beats to the beat of the Charminar, a priceless gem of Hyderabad and a source
of national pride for India. It was a gift from the Qutb Shahi Dynasty to honour the splendor of the Sultanate.
The oldest mosque ever constructed in the “City of Nizams” is located inside this enormous example of Indo-
Islamic architecture called a Charminar, which translates to “four minarets” and gives the history of the
monument. The heritage nature of the two places must be preserved through collaboration between
residents and governmental organizations.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
There is wide scope for the Research Scholars and Teachers to conduct a Research on Architecture of
Qutub Shahi Dynasty. Present study is having good future towards Minor and Major research projects.
REFERENCES AND NOTES:
1. Dr. P. B. DesaiHistory of KarnatakaP-15
2. Dr. K. R. BasavarajaHistory and Culture of KarnatakaP-8
3. Dr. B. R. HiremathKarnataka ShasanagalalliVartakaruP-22
4. Dr. RahamatTarikereKarnataka Sufigalu P-31
5. Dr. RajaramHegde, M. VasuDakshinaKarnatakadaArasuManetanagaluP-26
6. Dr. R. R. DiwakarKarnataka Through The AgesP-68
7. Dr. Suryanath U. KamathA History of KarnatakaP-35
8. Dr. H. K. SherwaniThe Bahamanis of the DeccanP-51
9. Department of ArchaeologyVijayanagara AdhayayanaP-16
10. Dr. BaragurRamachandrappaKarnataka SangathiP-21
11. Dr. NilakantaSastri, A History of South IndiaP-39
12. Dr. Suryanath U. KamathA Concise History of KarnatakaP-98
13. Dr. RomilaThaparThe Penguin History of Early IndiaP-9
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Journal for all Subjects : www.lbp.world
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ARCHITECTURE OF QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY VOLUME - 8 | ISSUE - 4 | JANUARY - 2019
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Rajashekhar Gundappa
Assistant Professor (Senior Scale) Department of History, CES First Grade College
Mannaekhelli, Tq.: Chitguppa, District - Bidar, Karnataka.
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Journal for all Subjects : www.lbp.world
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