Calm-Sojourner: Visit to Qutb Shahi Tombs, Hyderabad

Friday, September 20, 2013

Visit to Qutb Shahi Tombs, Hyderabad

Tomb of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, Hyderabad, the 5th Sultan of Hyderabad

The Sultans who came from Persia during the 16th Century A.D ruled over the Golconda Kingdom in modern Hyderabad and its nearby places in Andhra Pradesh, India. The Qutb Shahi state and their dynastic history details can be seen in Wikipedia- Qutb Shahi dynasty . They ruled Golconda for 171 years, from 1518 until the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb conquered the Deccan in 1687 then Nizam took over administration from them.These Islamic rulers built seven royal tombs in Hyderabad which is one of the must seeing tourist places in the state (Andhra Pradesh). The tombs were built at precinct of the famous Golconda fort and the complex is located at Ibrahim Bag in Hyderabad city.

Wikipedia tells about the details of the Qutb Shahi tombs, "The tombs form a large cluster and stand on a raised platform. The tombs are domed structures built on a square base surrounded by pointed arches, a distinctive style that blends Persian, Pashtun and Hindu forms. The tombs are structures with intricately carved stonework and are surrounded by landscaped gardens.

The tombs were once furnished with carpets, chandeliers and velvet canopies on silver poles. Copies of the Quran were kept on pedestals and readers recited verses from the holy book at regular intervals. Golden spires were fitted over the tombs of the sultans to distinguish their tombs from those of other members of the royal family."

Qutb Shahi tombs, Hyderabad

Besides the seven royal tombs, the cemetery complex also comprised unfinished tomb built by last Sultan of Qutb Shahi - Mirza Nizamuddin Ahmed, mosques, mortuary birth and also tombs of Sufi saints etc. For more details of the tombs complex please check the Wikipedia page Qutb Shahi Tombs and 10 Year Itch website, they provides with interesting notes, so i will not further discuss it all here.

Tomb of Jamsheed Quli Qutub Shah (1543 to 1550), the second Qutub Shahi ruler of Golconda

This note may be helpful for the next visitors: The Qutb Shahi Tomb complex is open in every weekdays except on Friday between 9:30 A.M - 6:30 P.M, entry fees: Adult:Rs.10/Children: Rs.5 for Indian Nationals, & Rs.100 for Foreign National, Camera fees: Still camera: Rs.20 & Video camera: Rs.100. Parking fees: 2-3 wheelers: Rs.10, 4 wheelers: Rs.20, Bus: Rs.50. Best time to visit according to my experience is evening around 4-6 p.m. There's also cafeterias inside and outside the tombs complex.

Qutb Shahi Toms Complex, Hyderabad

As you know we are not a tomb riders nor doing pilgrimage in the Qutb Shahi tombs but me and Mahmangaihi, a friend and junior in our University had keen interest to visit this place since very long back, then at last our mission was accomplished on 29th March 2012. Our visit to the royal cemetery enabled us to reply with "yes, we been there" whenever people talks about the Qutb Shahi tomb.