IMAGINE HYDERABAD...

Qutb Shahi Kings – Rulers of the Deccan
1518 – 1687
The Qutb Shahi Kings were rulers between 1518 and 1687. As the monuments of their time reveal, they were great builders, lovers of architecture and patrons of learning. The greatest and the most popular edifice of the time is the Charminar. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, inherited a rich legacy – a prosperous and large kingdom with the densely populated capital of Golconda.
Eight Qutb Shahi Rulers

I. Sultan Quli Qutbul Mulk
1518 – 1543
Founder and first ruler of Qutb Shahi Dynasty

II. Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah
1543 – 1550
Second ruler of Qutb Shahi Dynasty

III. Subhan Quli Qutb Shah
1550
Third king of Qutb Shahi Dynasty

IV. Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah
1550 – 1580
Fourth ruler of Qutb Shahi Dynasty

V. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah
1580 – 1612
Fifth ruler of Qutb Shahi Dynasty & Founder of Hyderabad City

VI. Muhammad Qutb Shah
1612 – 1626
Sixth ruler of Qutb Shahi Dynasty

VII. Abdullah Qutb Shahi
1626 – 1672
Seventh ruler of Qutb Shahi Dynasty

VIII. Abul Hasan Tana Shah
1672 – 1687
Eighth & last ruler of Qutb Shahi Dynasty

Hyderabad History during Mughal Attack

Mughal Attack
Fall of Qutub Shahi and the rise of Asaf Jahis

Abul Hasan Tana Shah was the last king of Golconda. It was during his reign that the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb after a siege of 8 months was able to storm into the fortress when the gates were opened by a traitor in 1687. Abul Hasan was taken prisoner first to Bidar and then to Daulatabad (Aurangabad) where he died in prison after 12 years of captivity.

On September 22, 1687, Golconda was conquered by Aurangzeb and became a part of the six Mughal provinces in the Deccan. Mahabat Khan who was initially the Commander of the Golconda army, switched sides and joined the Mughal camp. He was appointed the Governor of Golconda-Hyderabad state, by Aurangzeb.

Golconda Fort, Hyderabad

Though Aurangzeb tried to consolidate his authority over Hyderabad, the city began to lose its importance. The final nail was struck when the capital of the new province was shifted from Hyderabad to Aurangabad, which became the new headquarters of the Mughals in the Deccan.

In 1713, the Mughal Emperor, Farruksiyar, appointed a twenty six year old warrior Qamaruddin as the new Governor of Deccan. Qamruddin was the grandson of Chin Qilij Khan, Aurangzeb’s brave commander who lost his life during the siege of Golconda. The young Governor proved to be an able administrator and earned the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk or the Governor of the Kingdom.

In October 1724, Nizam-ul-Mulk declared himself Subedar or Governor of the six Deccan provinces – Aurangabad, Bidar, Bijapur, Berar, Adilabad and Hyderabad.

Between the fall of the Qutub Shahi dynasty and the rise of the Asaf Jahis dynasty, the city of Hyderabad steadily deteriorated. Aurangzeb’s only contribution to the city was the completion of the Mecca Masjid in 1693. In 1763, after a gap of nearly seventy six years Hyderabad regained its lost glory when Nizam Ali Khan, the second Asaf Jahi ruler moved the capital back from Aurangabad to Hyderabad.

Hyderabad History during Asaf Jahi Rule
Asaf Jahi Dynasty – Nizams
1724 – 1948
The family of the Asaf Jah (Nizams) of Hyderabad is one of the most illustrious that ever came to India.

The Asaf Jahi dynasty, familiar to all the by title of its representative-the-Nizam-owes its origin to Mir Qamaruddin Chin Qilij Khan, better known as Asaf Jah I.

Asafia Flag

Asaf Jahi dynasty ruled the state of Hyderabad for seven generations (A.D. 1724 – 1948) establishing it as the largest and foremost Muslim princely state in India. Hyderabad’s existence and development was intrinsically linked to the rule of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and their contributions were foundational to not only the States but the Deccan’s social, economic and cultural milieu.

Nizam’s crest
Seven Asaf Jah Rulers – Seven Nizams