The city of Hyderabad is an historic city noted for its many monuments, temples, churches, mosques, and bazaars. A multitude of influences has shaped the character of the city in the last 400 years.The city is changing its role and outlook as part of the booming service industry revolution, and is trying to preserve and popularize its history. |
Ancient history:
The area around Hyderabad was ruled by the Mauryan Empire in the third century B.C during the period of Ashoka.
Medieval history:
Various Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms ruled the area during the subsequent centuries. The area was ruled by the Kalyani branch of the Chalukya kings. When the Chalukya kingdom became weaker, Kakatiyas, who were feudal chieftains of Chalukya, declared independence and setup their kingdom around Warangal. The fall of Warangal to Muhammad bin Tughluq's forces from the Delhi Sultanate in 1321 AD brought anarchy to the region. For the next few decades, the Bahmani Sultanate of the Deccan fought the Musunuri Nayakas on the north and the Vijayanagara Rayas on the south for control of the region. By the middle of the 15th century, the region was under the firm control of the Bahmani Sultanate which controlled the Deccan north of the Krishna River from coast to coast. |
The Golconda Sultanate:
In 1463, Sultan Mohammad Shah Bahmani dispatched Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk to the Telangana region to quell disturbances. Sultan Quli quelled the disturbance and was rewarded as the administrator of the region. He established a base at Kakatiya hill fortress of Golconda which he strengthened and expanded considerably. By the end of the century, Quli ruled from Golconda as the Subedar of Telangana. Quli enjoyed virtual independence from Bidar, where the Bahmani sultanate was then based. In 1518, he declared independence from the Bahmani Sultanate and established the Golconda Sultanate under the title Sultan Quli Qutub Shah. This was the start of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty. The Bahmani Sultanate disintegrated into five different kingdoms, with the others based in Ahmednagar, Berar, Bidar and Bijapur.
The Founding of a New City:
Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah of Qutub Shahi dynasty, built the city of Hyderabad {formerly known as Bhagyanagar} on the Musi River,five miles (8 km) east of Golconda in 1589 and dedicated it to his beloved Hindu wife Bhagyamathi (popularly known as Bhagmathi) He also ordered the construction of the Char Minar, the iconic monument of the city, in 1591, reportedly in gratitude to the almighty for arresting a plague epidemic before it did irreversible damage to his new city. The Purana Pul ("old bridge") spanning the Musi was built a few years earlier, enabling quick travel between Golconda and Hyderabad.
Legend has it that the bridge was built by Mohammad Quli's father Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah so his son's life would not be endangered when he went to visit his future wife during the monsoon months.
The New City Flourishes:
The early history of Hyderabad is inextricably intertwined with the history of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. As Qutb Shahi power and fortune rose during the 16th and early 17th centuries, Hyderabad became a center of a vibrant diamond trade. All seven Qutb Shahi sultans were patrons of learning and were great builders. They contributed to the growth and development of Indo-Persian and Indo-Islamic literature and culture in Hyderabad. Some of the sultans were known as patrons of local Telugu culture as well. During the Qutb Shahi reign Golconda became one of the leading markets in the world for diamonds, pearls, steel, arms, and also printed fabric. In the 16th century the city grew to accommodate the surplus population of Golconda and eventually became the capital of the Qutb Shahi rulers. Hyderabad became known for its gardens (called baghs) and its comfortable climate. Visitors from other lands compared the city most to the beautiful city of Isfahan in Iran. |
