Sultan Abul Hasan ; last ruler of Golconda

Sultan Abul Hasan  : last ruler of Golconda

          Sultan Abul Hasan  was the last ruler of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, before the Mughal seige of Golconda in 1687. After the rule of Sultan Ibrahim Qutub Shah, his son Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah ruled from 1580-1611,who built the Charminar and established the new city of Hyderabad. He wrote poetry in Persian,Telugu and Urdu.He was followed by Sultan Muhammad Qutub Shah, his son-in-law and nephew who ruled between 1611-25. 





Sultan Mohammad Qutub Shah,portrait,17th century.

By Golkonda Painters - http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=265605&partid=1&searchText=mughal&fromADBC=ad&toADBC=ad&numpages=10&images=on&orig=%2fresearch%2fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx&currentPage=87, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17783141

      Sultan   Mohammad Qutub Shah was the adopted son of Mohammad Quli and son of Mirza Muhammad Amin who died when Mohammad Quli was Sultan. He was married to Hayat Baksh Begum, daughter of Mohammad Quli. He had subdued Pratap Shah, the ruler of Bastar who acknowledged his supremacy. He was  a peace oriented king and tried to strengthen ties with Bijapur, and Ahmadnagar . During his reign Persian  language and culture flourished. Proto-urdu got a fillip. The Mecca Masjid was planned during his time. European factories already existed in the Golconda kingdom. The number of products being handled increased to include not just painted/printed cloth like qalamkari,cotton yarn, indigo etc. but also porcelain, silk, alum, brass etc. Mohammad Qutub Shah decided to take back the leases from the Dutch and established his own government's control on them. In fact that the European merchants competed among themselves to trade in the Coromandel coast and the Golconda kingdom.



Sultan Abdullah,painting,17th century.

By Unknown - [flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/thesandiegomuseumofartcollection/6125086876/in/photostream/], CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24570593

   Sultan Abdullah Qutub Shah was Sultan Muhammad's son. He was born in 1614 and the next and the seventh ruler of Golconda. After he ascended the throne he was congratulated by Ibrahim Adil Shah of Bijapur and Murtaza Nizam Shah of Ahmadnagar by their envoys. Shah Abul Hasan and Mir Jafar; Prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan of the Mughal dynasty) sent Ikhlas Khan. Abul Hasan knew many languages and was  fond of poetry and music. Sultan Abdullah Qutub Shah had to enter a treaty with the Mughal emperor in 1636. By this he became Mughal vassal partially. His coins were to be struck in the name of the Mughal emperor. However in 1655 Shahjahan ordered collection of arrears or pesh kash. The Mughal forces entered Hyderabad and Golconda in 1656. Hayat Baksh Begum spoke to Aurangzeb and asked for pardon for her son. Abdullah sent jewels,elephants,gold, horses etc. He captured Vellore in 1652. The Mughals forced him into accepting strict conditions and a matrimonial alliance by marrying his daughter,Padshah Bibi Sahiba to Aurangzeb's eldest son,Muhammad Sultan Mirza. During his reign European trade flourished in the kingdom.He ruled between 1626-72. 

    He was followed by Abul Hasan, who was the son-in-law of Abdullah Qutub Shah, being married to his eldest daughter. Sultan Abdullah had three daughters and had no male heir.  One was married to Aurangzeb's son, Mohammad Sultan. However Mohd Sultan sided Prince Shuja during accession to the Mughal throne and as arrested and died later in prison in 1677. So he could not be made Sultan. Syed Muzaffar, a nobleman and general went to Shah Raju's khankhah and took Abul Hasan to the palace and proclaimed him Sultan in April 1672. He was married to the Sultan's third daughter. Syed Muzaffar was made Mir Jumla. He was later replaced by his secretary, Madanna. Madanna got appointed his brother Akkanna who became minister-in-charge of the armed forces. When Abul Hasan took over as Sultan the kingdom extended from outer region of Gulbarga and Bidar in the west to Vishakhapatnam in the north east to San Thome south of Madaras(now Chennai). Along with Madanna he tried to fortify his territory on the east coast. He had visited Vijayawada to see the Kondapalli fort.    Sultan Abul Hasan, who used to sing well, was called Tana Shah, a nickname given to him by his teacher Sufi saint, Hazrat Shah Raju Qattal, who was eighth in lineage to Banda Nawaz Gesudaraaz of Gulbarga. He had predicted that Abul Hasan would rule for 14 years. Sultan Abul Hasan ruled from 1672-1686.

     His reign was one of popularity. He was well liked by all. In his court were people from all ethnicities and religions. Most well known are the Hindu brothers Akkanna and Madanna from Hanamakonda. Akkanna was later made resident at Bijapur and governor of Karnataka. It was during his reign that Kancharla Gopanna also known as Bhakta Ramadasu was jailed for diverting funds to build a temple at Bhadrachalam. However it is believed that Lord Rama came to the Sultan in his dream along with gold coins with his image on them (Ramamudra). He released Gopanna and every year during Rama-Navami , he sent pearls to the temple.

 Madanna invited Shivaji to Hyderabad and a treaty was signed for help in case of a Mughal attack. Shivaji agreed to hand over parts of Karnatak which did not belong to his father. All this had angered Aurangzeb and he did not like the going-ons at Golconda. Aurangzeb also got hold of a communication in which Sultan Abul Hasan promised help to Sikandar Ali Shah of Bijapur against the Mughals.  Around 1683 , Sultan Abul Hasan became erratic in paying taxes to the Mughals who had set the norms during the rule of Abdullah Qutub Shah.He also did not want to continue as a vassal state under them.  In the meantime, Prince Azam was in the process of subduing Bijapur in 1685. Abul Hasan tried to help by sending a large army, which was blocked off by the Mughals. Aurangzeb also sent Prince Muazzam along with Qilich Khan and Ghaziuddin Khan Feroze Jung, his commanders to cross the Godavari and attack Golconda. The Golconda forces defended well in the battles at Milkhed but later the Mughals gained. They approached Hyderabad in October 1686. Abul Hasan moved to Golconda Fort and received an ultimatum to pay an annual peshkash of 2 lakh huns and remove the brothers Madanna and Akkanna from service. Abul Hasan was still wavering when Jamsheed, the royal steward ambushed the brothers and murdered them. The Mughal troops withdrew for a short while as Sultan Abul Hasan had sent 59 trays of jewels as peshkash.  However once the Mughals had finished their war with Bijapur they laid siege to Golconda Fort from January 1687. During the time, the fort's defence was under General Abdur Razzaq Lari also called Mustafa Khan. An Afghani soldier Abdullah Panni opened a khirki of the gate, the Fateh Darwaza to the Mughals on 21st September 1687. The Mughal soldiers entered the fort. Thus Abul Hasan who had defended the fort for eight months, surrendered in  October 1687, was imprisoned and taken to Daulatabad Fort, near Aurangabad. After twelve years he died and is buried at Khuldabad, near the Daulatabad fort. 

     After this the regions under the Golconda king came under the Mughals who appointed viceroys the Nizams, who later proclaimed independence.

Album leaf,portrait, Abul Hasan Qutub Shah,1680,Golconda.

By Golconda Style - http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=265592&partid=1&searchText=mughal&fromADBC=ad&toADBC=ad&numpages=10&images=on&orig=%2fresearch%2fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx&currentPage=76, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17782809




Mir Jumla.painting,17th century.

By Shiv Das (painted by) - http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O187805/painting-mir-jumla/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17712774

The marriage of Abul Hasan , Jalwa ceremony,1679.

By English: thesandiegomuseumofartcollection (Flickr) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

References :

• History of the Qutub Shahi dynasty/Sherwani,H.K,New Delhi : Munshiram Manoharlal,1974.
• M.A.Nayeem/The heritage of the Qutub Shahis of Golconda and Hyderabad,Hyderabad: Hyderabad Publishers,2006.
• wikipedia.org
• preservearticles.com

Posted by :

Soma Ghosh

Ⓒauthor

Reign of Ibrahim : the fourth sultan of Golconda

Reign of Ibrahim : the fourth sultan of Golconda

     After the demise of Sultan Quli, the founder of the Qutub Shahi Kingdom,his son Jamsheed Quli ruled for 1543 to 1550.  When Jamsheed took over Ibrahim had resented. He had left for Vijayanagara during the turmoil following Sultan Quli's death.  Jamsheed Quli had made some administrative reforms during his tenure and Hindus took active role in the administration. During his illness Mustafa Khan was regent. After Sultan Jamsheed Quli  died of cancer  in 1550,his son Subhan Quli who was barely seven ruled was put on the throne by Mustafa Khan and Salabat Khan. However the queen calle Saif Khan or ain-ul-mulk from Ahmadnagar and become Peshwa and Vakil. He became like a ruler. This was resented and Daulat Khan, a brother was favoured by the Naikwaris. Many of them along with Jagadeva went to Bhongir to bring Daulat Khan to Golconda and make him Sultan. However Daulat Khan himself did not want to become king. A battle ensued at Bhongir between Jagadeva and Saif Khan. Saif Khan emrged victorious.However Jamsheed Quli's brother Ibrahim Qutub Shah came back from exile in Vijayanagara and usurped the throne from him and became the fourth Sultan of Golconda on 27th July 1550. When he set foot back on Golconda at the age of 21 he paid respects to his father's grave by lighting thousand golden lamps and distributing food to the poor.

      He ruled for thirty years, 1550-1580. The Golconda kingdom was at it's height during his reign. He was a great patron of literature. During his stay at Vijayanagara with Aliya Rama Raya he became highly appreciative of the Telugu language. He patronised many Telugu poets; Singanacharyudu,Gangadhara Kavi, and Kandukuru Rudrakavi. The poet Gangadhara Kavi was his court poet and dedicated a poem to him in 1560. In Telugu literature he is known and Malkibharam.  Sultan Ibrahim's court was frequented by scholars in the Vedas, Puranas.Many Persian scholars were also patronised who composed prose and poetry. There were many afaqis or foreigners in his state. It  was due to his literary patronage that the languages intermingled and the Deccani evolved, a proto-Urdu language. Mulla Khiyali, Firoz Mahmud were early-Deccani poets in his time.

   His reign saw the making of the Purana Pul, Hussain Sagar and fortification of the fort at Golconda. He developed  Ibrahimbagh.  The town of Ibrahimpatnam is named after him. During his time the population of Golconda grew which necessitated founding of another city across the river Musi, namely Hyderabad. The area Chichlam was the place around which the new city was envisioned. Sultan Ibrahim was not into many battles and did not look much beyond his kingdom.

Sultan Ibrahim's mosque ,Golconda Fort.

By h v shiv shankar (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Tile-work remains on Sultan Ibrahim's tomb, Ibrahimbagh,Hyderabad.

Source :flickr.com/photos/nagarjun/6781312293

Image by :Nagarjun Kandukuru

References :

• History of the Qutub Shahi dynasty/Sherwani,H.K,New Delhi : Munshiram Manoharlal,1974.
• M.A.Nayeem/The heritage of the Qutub Shahis of Golconda and Hyderabad,Hyderabad: Hyderabad Publishers,2006.
• wikipedia.org

Posted by :

Soma Ghosh

Ⓒauthor

Sultan Quli : the first ruler of Golconda

Sultan Quli : the first ruler of Golconda

        Sultan Quli was the first ruler in the Golconda line of kings. He was called Qutub-ul-mulk. He had come from Hamadan in Iran/Persia. He was known as Khawas Khan Hamadani. Though he arrived in Delhi with some relatives and friends, he came to the Deccan and started working for the Bahmani Sultan towards the end of the 15th century. He was adept at hunting and good at mathematics. He impressed the Bahmani Sultan with his talents.The Bahmani Sultan trusted him and allowed him to lead an expedition to rid the region of thieves. He also helped to fight off the Dakhni rebels and saved the life of the Sultan. He was made the tarafdar  of Telangana in 1496.

     After the Bahmani Sultanate disintegrated into five Deccan sultanates,he declared independence and took the title Qutub Shah, and founded the  Qutub Shahi dynasty of Golconda. The kingdom of Golconda happened from the jagir  of Golconda which belonged to Sultan Quli. In 1518 he amde it his capital and renamed it as Mohammadnagar which was some distance from the Golconda Hill.,building afort of granite. He however remained loyal to the Bhamani Sultan. Many people thronged the fort area and it turned into a fort-city.Sultan quli undertook several military campaigns in Telangana,Odisha and Vijayanagara. He annexed many surrounding areas from different rulers. He was a contemporary of Krishnadevaraya and his brother Achyuta Devaraya of Vijayanagara kingdom. He defeated Shitap Khan and captured the fort of Khammam. He captured the forts at Rajkonda,Devarkonda. He subdued Panagal and it became part of Golconda. Sultan quli subdued Elgandal,Malangur,Belomkonda etc. A battle between Golconda and Vijayanagara took place in which Golconda won and the opposing Vijayanagara retreated to Kondaveedu and ruler Achyuta Raya agrreed to pay an indemnity annually to Golconda. Later however Achyuta Raya joined with Ismail Adil Khan of Bijapur by sending gifts and they attacked Kovikonda, A long drawn battle followed and Golconda emerged vistorious. GOlconda subdued Kohir, a Baridi stronghold. Golconda had conflicts with both Bijapur and Bidar. Sultan Quli's rule extended up to coastal Andhra.He ruled for 50 years,24 as governor and 26 as ruler. In 1542/3, his younger son, Jamsheed assasinated him, another son  being blinded. Jamsheed Quli was the next to rule Golconda, while his other son Ibrahim fled to Vijayanagara. His tomb is  at Ibrahimbagh in Hyderabad. 



Portrait,Sultan Quli.

Attribution : https://az.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=367947

Tomb of Sultan Quli, Ibrahimbagh, Hyderabad.

By Bernard Gagnon - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34550873

References :

• H..K. Sherwani/History of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, New Delhi ; Munshilal Manoharlal,1974
• M.A.Nayeem/The heritage of the Qutb Shahis of Golconda and Hyderabad,Hyderabad: Hyderabad Publishers,2006
• wikipedia.org

Posted by :

Soma Ghosh

Ⓒauthor

Qutub Shahi architecture : the mystique of arches,domes and minarets,

Qutub Shahi architecture : the mystique of arches,domes and minarets

   The Qutub Shahi architecture had most elements of Islamic architecture. It represents a sub-style, Indo-Islamic architecture with a fusion of Arab, Persian and local styles of architecture.

  

  Mosques usually  have minarets which are towers with stairs and small windows from where the holy men or muezzin climbed and called out from the top for prayers. Many mosques were built during the reign of the Qutub Shahis, a mosque on the Charminar, a mosque,Jami Masjid by Amir-ul-Mulk, a nobleman, ahead of the Charminar but before the southern arch of the Charkaman, mosques inside the Golconda Fort and the splendid Mecca Masjid also near the Charminar. Also a mosque at Musheerabad area of the city, attributed to Sultan Abdullah's reign and Khairati Begum or Khairatunnisa Begum's mosque at Hyderabad. There is a mosque in the tomb complex; Hayat Bakshi Begum's mosque which is a great example of the architecture of the time.

     Some views depicted  below can illustrate the domes and the arches and its excellent usage in the monuments. Technically a dome can be defined as a rounded vault forming the roof of a building or structure, typically with a circular base. The Qutub Shahi tombs are domed structures. Technically, an arch is a curved structure that spans a space and may or may not support weight above it. The arch has been used in the Qutub Shahi architecture to maximum effect. Archways, arched recesses, arched facades, arched entrances, arched windows or jharokas, are all seen. In fact most  monuments have all three elements. 

     The gates or darwazas at the Golconda Fort are giant arches.  Sultan Ibrahim's mosque at the fort has a prayer hall  with three bays and slender minarets on both its sides crowned with a dome having  a petalled base.

Sultan Ibrahim's mosque,Golconda Fort.

Source : flickr.com/photos/maa7/15843902741 Pic By Masrur Ashraf



Minaret,Sultan Ibrahim's mosque,Golconda Fort.

By Bernard Gagnon (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons



Archways,Golconda Fort

By Jayadeep Rajan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons



Archways and niches,Golconda Fort.

By Ronakshah1990 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

          The grand minarets of the Charminar with bulbous domes at the top,its arched windows at various levels leaves one simply spellbound. It is a massive square structure with four arches opening to different streets and the four  high minarets built into the structure are having  double balconies. The domes have petal designs at the base.

Charminar,Hyderabad.

By Karthik Uppaladhadiam - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21725376

   The Qutub Shahi tombs are amidst gardens and lushness. Most of the tombs have a high plinth with a square chamber having an arcaded gallery on its sides. The domes which crown the structure are placed on a circle of lotus petals.

Tombs of Sultan Quli and Subhan Quli, Qutub Shahi tomb complex, Ibrahimbagh,Hyderabad.

By Alaka123 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia 
Commons



Jamsheed Quli's tomb,Ibrahimbagh,Hyderabad.

By Karthik Uppaladhadiam - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21587196





View at sunset, Qutub Shahi tomb complex, Ibrahimbagh, Hyderabad.

By Mohammed Mubashir (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons




Archways, Qutub Shahi tombs, Ibrahimbagh,Hyderabad.

By Vivek Rana - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21395023





Archways, Qutub Shahi tombs, Ibrahimbagh,Hyderabad.

By Tejaswini 0807 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51630624



Minaret,Qutub Shahi tomb, Hyderabad.

By Bernard Gagnon (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons



Qutub Shahi Tomb.

By Alaka123 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51470194


References :

1. The heritage of the Qutb Shahis of Golconda and Hyderabad/Nayeem,M.A,Hyderabad : Hyderabad Publishers,2006.
2. The art and architecture of the Deccan Sultanates/Zebrowski,Mark and Michell, George, London : Cambridge University Press,1999.
3. wikipedia.org

Posted by :


Soma Ghosh



Ⓒauthor

Qutub shahi architecture : splendour in stucco

 Qutub shahi architecture : splendour in stucco

  The word stucco means  a 'fine plaster used for coating wall surfaces or moulding into architectural decorations', technically. The human imagination and  creativity knows no limits and this  is evident in the beautiful depictions and artwork on the Qutub Shahi monuments. The Indo-Islamic motifs with foliate borders and mythical animal and bird motifs are stunning in composition. They are found at the Fort's darwazas, mosques, the Qutub Shahi tombs  and on the Charminar. Along with the arches,domes and minarets the overall effect mesmerises the viewer who is lucky enough to see them. The intricate carvings leaves one simply spellbound.

  Depicted below is the first view while entering the Fort. The Bala Hissar darwaza. One finds lions, peacocks and mythical animals. The arch borders above the lintel is also exquisitely decorated. An open lotus pattern can be seen below the mihrab shaped niche which is flanked by the ornately carved peacocks. The roundel next to the  heraldic lion above the arch reminds one of the Persian seamless motifs.  Stucco designs are seen in most Qutub Shahi monuments. They seem to be a highlight and add splendour and richness. Floral patterns and foliate band designs are seen. Symmetry is an important aspect of the overall architecture.

 


Stucco decoration,Bala Hissar Darwaza, Golconda Fort.

By Bhaskaranaidu - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21856204

Stucco decoration, flroal arabesque, heraldic lion at Bala Hissar Darwaza, Golconda Fort.

By Bernard Gagnon (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Sultan Ibrahim's mosque, Golconda Fort.

By h v shiv shankar - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28741292

    The stucco work on Sultan Ibrahim's mosque depicts an alam (standard) pattern over the  decorated doorway and  circular seamless Persian motifs above the arch, which has foliate and vegetal design.

Stucco motifs, Sultan Ibrahim's mosque, Golconda Fort.

By Ashis Jain - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21641116

Stucco work, Taramati mosque,Golconda Fort

By Karthik Uppaladhadiam - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21624821

Stucco decoration, Charminar, Hyderabad.

By shash17 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28026637

Stucco decoration, Charminar, Hyderabad.

By Varshabhargavi - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28357121

Stucco decoration, Charminar, Hyderabad.

By Navneel neeraj - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51368363



Inside Charminar,Hyderabad.


By Shijiltv (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons



Exterior,Qutub Shahi tomb, Hyderabad.

By Karthik Uppaladhadiam - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21165075





Exterior,Qutub Shahi tomb, Hyderabad.

By Ramesh.mdd - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27985357





Decoration, Qutub Shahi tomb, Hyderabad.

By Vikas jangra2002 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21019745



Exterior,Qutub Shahi tomb, Hyderabad.

By Karthik Uppaladhadiam - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21165086


Exterior, Hayat Bakshi Begum Mosque,Ibrahimbagh,Hyderabad.


By Bhaskaranaidu - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21856645



Stucco decoration, Hayat Bakhshi Begum Mosque,Qutub Shahi Tomb complex, Hyderabad,

By Sthitaprajna - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21078746

References :

1. The heritage of the Qutb Shahis of Golconda and Hyderabad/Nayeem,M.A,Hyderabad : Hyderabad Publishers,2006.
2. Art and architecture of Qutub Shahi times/Meena Kumari, V./Delhi : B. R Publishing Corporation,2014.

Posted by :


Soma Ghosh



Ⓒauthor

Golconda paintings: the pichhvai tradition

Golconda paintings : the pichhvai tradition

    The kingdom of Golconda has produced many pichhvai paintings. Originally this art is popular among the Vallabhaite sect in Narthdwara, Rajasthan. Since merchants and traders of this sect came from Rajasthan and Gujarat to the kingdom of Golconda, they brought their art with them. A pichhvai is a decorative hanging in cloth behind the main deity , a form of Krishna; Srinathji, inside the temples.Lord Krishna is a much loved deity among the Hindus in India.He is also an important character in the epic Mahabharata.
  
   The Nathdwara pichhvais depicted Lord Krishna as Srinathji. However the ones produced at Golconda, the depiction is of the Deccan-Maratha style. Though the local artist copied the Rajasthani tradition the Deccan stamp is present.The gopis or cowherd maidens are also slightly different by being more slender and taller. The cows depicted have longer bodies to match the gopis. The gopis are seen in typical Deccan way of dress and jewellery, the foliage is lush,umbrella type with straight tree trunks. The tree is most likely the kadamba tree, associated with Lord Krishna. 

        The pichhvai depicted below is dyed cotton with polychrome and  gold work. It represntative of the Dana-lila in which the gopis have to give a dana or toll to Lord Krishna . It could range from an embrace to a pot of milk ! The gopis are however feigning resistance to Krishna and are look surprised in the scene.The scene is almost mystical with a dream like quality. Peacocks are depicted along with parrots and some other coloured birds. There also is shown the silent showering of fragrant flowers like the chameli and champa from the sky on Krishna and the gopis. On the right below is seen Krishna nad Radha along with the cows who seem to be looking up to them, very much a part of the scene. The cut portion is actually meant for the space where the deity would be placed for worship.

Pichhvai from Golconda, late 17th century, Honolulu Museum of Art,USA.


See page for author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons









References :

1. Art and architecture of Qutub Shahi times/Meena Kumari, V./Delhi : B. R Publishing Corporation,2014.
2. Golconda and Hyderabad/Safrani,Shehbaz.H,ed.Bombay : Marg Publications,1992.

Posted by :

Soma Ghosh

Ⓒauthor

Golconda Fort : inner views of the 'Qila'

 Golconda Fort : inner views of the 'Qila'

      The entrance to the huge fort of Golconda is through the Bala Hissar Darwaza. There are various structures inside the fort. A new world opens before the eyes of the viewer who has entered the fort complex; with its fortifications, eight gates, mosques,mahals or palaces, baths, wells, arches , offices, step-ways, granary, royal armoury, fountainheads and gardens. One can visualise a bustling medieval royal centre with kings, nobles, ordinary people, elephants,horses and soldiers. It is like a journey through time.The acoustic system of the fort is unique and was used for vital communication. The story of Golconda as a capital is that of the Qutub Shahi sultans or kings. Though originally a mud fort existed built by the Kakatiyas on the Golla Konda or cowherd's hill, the area finally came to the Bahamanis who appointed a Qutub Shahi viceroy who later came to rule the area, Sultan Quli. The area was modified by the additions of new structures which changed it in ways whose remnants are still visible.

Golconda Fort map.

By Qasim Al Khuzaie, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54066461

        The fortified hill on which the Bala Hissar stands,  a baradari is 130 m above the ground level. The defensive wall of the outer area protects the whole city which is about 2.5 km long. This enclosed a Naya Qila or New Fort built by Abdullah Qutub Shah in 1624 which projects to the north-east. This wall has a height of 10m with eight strong gates, four of which are still open. Fateh Darwaza is the gate through which Aurangzeb's forces entered,the Mecca Drawaza was built in 1590, the Banjara Darwaza leads to the tombs and the Moti Darwaza. Most bastions are semi-circular except one which has nine lobes,projecting out of the  Naya Qila. To the west of the Fateh Darwaza, is the Bala Hissar Darwaza , the entrance to the second line of fortification walls that surround the hillock. On entering , on the right is the Nagina Bagh, where the royal ladies would stroll in the past. These two gates are connected by a road on either side of which are many structures in different states of preservation.They include remains of palaces,baths,bazaars,mosques etc. Merchants,officials,teachers,ordinary people lived here. A triumphal arch is present before the Bala Hissar Darwaza. To the north east is the Jami mosque built by Sultan Quli Qutub-ul-mulk in 1518. In front of the Bala Hissar Darwaza towards the east are two  arched structures called Habshi Kamans on top of which were rooms where were posted the Abyssinian guards of the Sultans.

 
Fortifications, Golconda Fort.

By Rashmi.parab - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21747589




Fortifications, Golconda Fort.

By Gowthama Poludasu (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

 


Entrance to the Fort, Bala Hissar Darwaza.

By Anupamg - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?
curid=21148479


Naqqar Khana,Golconda Fort.

By Pravina - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21179621

    Halfway up the hill are seen double walls which form the third line of defence. On the left side one comes across palaces,harem apartments,mosques, arsenal or Silahkhana, ambarkhana or granary and open space and parks on the right. The Silahkhana has three storeys and is a granite structure. Some muskets are still present. These could also be those left behind by Aurangzeb's army and the building is actually  the administrative building of the Qutub Shahis. The Ambarkhana was the royal granary at the Golconda Fort. A Persian inscription here mentions that it was built by Khairat Khan, a minister of  Abdullah Qutub Shah,in 1642.

Ambarkhana or granary, Golconda Fort.

By Bernard Gagnon - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34159864



Steps at the Fort.

By Vineeth Eguri - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28029939




Silakhana or royal armoury/Administrative building, Golconda Fort.

By Karthik Uppaladhadiam - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21591947

   Ahead of the Silahkhana or administrative building to the left  are seen ruins of palaces of which some rise to 5-6 floors. Huge halls were present with fountains and tanks,including the upper floors. In their heyday they must have had curtains, carpets, with lamps and chandeliers abounding with servants amongst the noblemen who lived in them. Below the royal palaces by the eastern wall is a plain space called the Maidan or the Jilu Khana-e-Ali. At the centre is a mosque now in ruin; originally everyday the Sultan would be at a jharoka or window behind the mosque and the armies would march past and not just salute the ruler but also pay homage to God.

   The Diwan Mahal is a palace where Mir Jumla used to reside where later Akkanna and Madanna lived.
  

Remains of palaces,Golconda Fort.

By Smkeshkamat - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28388709


  

 Palace complex, Golconda Fort.

By Sanyam Bahga - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18589857


 Some way below the Bala Hissar is a mosque built by Sultan Ibrahim Qutub Shah. To its left is the now barren Hall of Justice or Dad Mahal. Narrow staircases lead to a flat roof with a carved stone throne, called Tanashah ki gaddi where the sultans used to sit to enjoy the evening breeze, look over the area and listen to music from the royal courtesans' singing some distance away ,so it is believed. Given the superb acoustic system that was present at the time, one can just believe the same !

Sultan Ibrahim's mosque,Golconda Fort.

By Linda N. [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons



Decorative motifs in stucco,Sultan Ibrahim's mosque,Golconda Fort.

By Ashis Jain - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21641116

  

 Archways, Golconda Fort.


By Joydeep - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19274044

        The Taramati Mosque is located outside of the palace area. It was used by the Sultans and nobles at the Golconda Fort.

Taramati mosque, Golconda Fort.

By Bernard Gagnon (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

   The fort has many other important structures. An Ashurkhana close to the Fateh darwaza of the fort was built by officer called Mallad of Sultan Abdullah Qutub Shah's army. The ashurkhana is called Sartooq-e-Hussaini.

    A mosque built by a poet Mullah Khiali is situated in the Naya Qila and is called Masjid-e-Mullah Khiali. Other mosques include the Masjid-i-Safa or Jami Masjid built by Sultan Quli. In 1668 a Hira mosque  was built near the Moti Darwaza after the establishment of a second diamond market during the reign of Sultan Abdullah Qutub Shah. A Bahmani mosque in the fort area was built by  Sultan Mohammad Shah Bahmani I during a halt at Golconda.

   


A ceiling at the Fort.

By Barkha dhamechai (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

      Just below the Bala Hissar is the Ramadas bandikhana where Kanchanna Gopanna or  Bhakta Ramadas  was imprisoned at the fort by the last king,Sultan Abul Hasan Tana Shah, for diverting money for a temple. He chiselled the figures of deities Rama, Sita and Lakshmana and worshipped them there. It is believed that due to his prayers, the deities appeared to Tana Shah in a dream and he was released.

                                                                        

Carvings of the deities Hanuman, Rama, and Lakshmana  made by  Bhakta Ramadas when imprisoned.

By LASZLO ILYES from Cleveland, Ohio, USA (Indian Idol  Uploaded by Ekabhishek) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

           Some distance from the acropolis is  the Mahankali temple,partially carved from rock,renovated by brahmins during the rule of the last Sultan, Tana Shah under the prime ministership of Madanna.  

Temple, Golconda Fort.

By Rudolph.A.furtado - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5825174

         The structure below has been designated as the Rani Mahal, originally made up of four floors according to some sources. 

Rani Mahal,Golconda Fort.

By Karthik Uppaladhadiam - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21604502



Rani Mahal,Golconda.

By Bernard Gagnon (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons



Arches and niches, Golconda Fort.

By Karthik Uppaladhadiam - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21614897



Zenana mosque,Golconda Fort.

By Bernard Gagnon - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34247133

          The water supply system kept the tanks full and the fountains active in all floors and levels. Durgam Tank, 5 Km form the Fort was the source of the water. By the side of the steep path made up of irregulars steps which lead to the Bala Hissar, is a water raising arrangement with a series of tanks at different levels. Some sources say that groups of oxens at different levels would pull huge leather buckets by rope and pulley to put into higher cisterns. On the way to the Banjara Darwaza towards the tombs in the north side is a stone and mortar tank built by Sultan Ibrahim Qutub Shah in 1560, the Katora Hauz whose water was filled through underground pipes; sometimes with rose water which added fragrance; specially for the Sultan.

     A mortuary bath structured on the lines of Persian/Turkish design is present where the royals were bathed before burials. Other structures in the Fort complex include the Dal badal chabutara, camel stables, a mint, Shamsheer kotha which was an armoury, a langar house and a dhobi ghat.

Well,Golconda fort.

By Bhaskaranaidu (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons




Remains of water supply system, Golconda Fort.

By Bhaskaranaidu - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21863841




Fountainhead,inside Golconda Fort.

By Karthik Uppaladhadiam (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons



Mortuary bath,Golconda Fort.

Pic : Isha Vatsa


  




The acropolis, Bala Hissar,Golconda Fort.


By Santoshvatrapu (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons




References :

1. The heritage of the Qutb Shahis of Golconda and Hyderabad/Nayeem,M.A,Hyderabad : Hyderabad Publishers,2006.
2.  Marg, Vol XXXVII No:3, Bombay : Marg Publications.
3. Hyderabad : a city in history/Khan, Raza Ali, Hyderabad : Zenith Services,1990.
4. Art and architecture of Qutub Shahi times/Meena Kumari, V./Delhi : B. R Publishing Corporation,2014.

Posted by :


Soma Ghosh


Ⓒauthor