A Brief History of Hyderabad

HYDERABAD - THE CITY

Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh is a bustling 400 year old metropolis
with an urban population of 4.2 million people approximately. The city is
cosmopolitan, and is richly endowed with a
variety of cultures. The city presents an attractive amalgam of old world charm
together with ebullience of growth and enterprise. Beautiful old edifices built in
the medieval, large glass and chrome temples of commerce.

The history of Hyderabad begins with the establishment of the Qutub Shahi
dynasty. Quli Qutub Shah seized the reins of power from the Bahamani Kingdom
in 1512 and established the fortress city of
Golconda. Inadequacy of water, and frequent epidemics of plague and cholera
persuaded Mohammed, the fifth Quli Qutub Shahi ruler to venture outward to
establish the new city with the Charminar at its center and with four great roads
fanning out in the four cardinal directions.

Hyderabad's fame, strategic location and Golconda's legendary wealth attracted

Aurangazeb who captured Golconda after a long siege in 1687. After this defeat
the importance of Hyderabad declined and the city fell into partial ruin.

As the Mughal Empire decayed and began to disintegrate, the victory, Asaf Jah-I
proclaimed himself the Nizam and established independent rule of the Deccan.
Hyderabad once again became a major capital city, ruled by successive Nizams of
the Asaf Jah dynasty until the state was merged into the Indian Union in 1948.

In 1798, a subsidiary alliance for military and political cooperation was signed
between the Nizam and the British East India company. Thereafter, an area north
of what is now the Hussain Sagar lake was
established as a cantonment. The area was named Secunderabad after the then
Nizam, Sikander Jah. Both Hyderabad and Secunderabad grew together and have
now merged. An imaginary line drawn across the Tank Bund is still used to
distinguish the two cities.

The City of Hyderabad is famous for its minarets and its pearl bazaar. Pearl from
all over the world are said to come to Hyderabad because the artisans here are
skilled in piercing and stringing pearls without damaging them. The city's gypsy
tribes called "Lambadas" and "Banjaras" are known throughout the country for
their colorful costumes - and Hyderabadi cuisine is much sought after.

Hyderabad is at an altitude of 536 meters with the mean summer temperature

going up to a maximum of 40 degrees Celsius and the minimum average
temperature being around 22 degrees. The maximum winter temperature is
around 22 with the minimum going down to around 12 degrees. Light woolens
are required during early mornings and late evenings.

Culture of Hyderabad
The infamous Hyderabadi pearl Culture. Who hasn't heard about the soft,
rounded, luminescent, tear drop pearl of Hyderabad. People form everywhere
flock here to possess a few of these pearls. But why Hyderabad? It neither is on
the sea coast nor near to it. Yet it has become almost synonymous with pearls. It
is because of the city's grand and very old history. Hyderabad was a princely
state and a very rich one too! The royal patronage saw to the burgeoning growth
of arts, crafts and cuisine. Their rich life-styles beckoned many a craftsman from
distant parts of the world, especially the Arabian Gulf where the rare original
pearls are found in abundance. Hence, Hyderabad became the one-stop-
destination for pearls. There is an entire street which only comprises of pearl
shops - Patther Gatti.

In the land of beautiful women, beautiful poetry, beautiful cuisine and beautiful
pearls, one more can be added to the beautiful string, i.e. Beautiful bangles.
Down the centuries, the lure of bangles still persists in the hearts of millions of
women who love to adorn their arms with a dazzling set of Hyderabadi bangles.
There are about 450 shops flanking either side of the world famous Charminar
with around 2500 craftsmen weaving their magic around your arms. These
bangles are so very purse and are of high quality too.

The Qutub Shahi Dynasty

A brief History of the Qutub Shahi dynasty

In 1463, disturbances broke out in the Telangana area of the Bahamani kingdom
of Deccan. Sultan Quli Qutbul Mulk, a Turk who was a high ranking military officer
under Muhammad Shah Bahamani, was sent to quell the trouble. He was
successful and was rewarded by being made the Subedar of Telangana in 1495,
with Golconda as his head- quarters. Subsequently, with the disintegration of the
Bahamani Kingdom in the early 16th century, Sultan Quli assumed virtual
independence. Thus he founded the Qutub Shahi dynasty that lasted from 1518
right up to 1687 when Aurangzeb's armies swept the Deccan.

This dynasty spanned 171 years in the history of South India. The eight kings of
this royal line have left a firm impression of their strong personalities upon the
land and its people.
The Qutub Shahi rulers were great builders and patrons of learning. They not only
patronized the Persian culture but also the regional culture of the Deccan,
symbolized by the Telugu language and the newly developed Deccani idiom.

Qutub Shah 1 : SULTAN QULI QUTBUL MULK (1518 - 1543)

The founder of the Qutub Shahi kingdom did much to strengthen and improve the
capital Golconda. He beautified his fortress capital with mosques, palaces and
gardens. On the foundations of the old mud fort Sultan Quli built a massive
citadel. This city called Muhammad Nagar, soon grew rapidly and earned fame as
one of the leading cities of the east, well known for its trade in diamonds and
precious stones.
Sultan Quli's subjects thought highly of him and he governed kindly and well. But
at the age of 99, the king died at the hands of his own son Jamsheed Quli.

Qutub Shah 2 : JAMSHEED QULI QUTUB SHAH (1543 - 1550)

Jamsheed, the third son, took over the reins of government with blood stained
hands. His seven years reign was marked by the people's resentment over his
patricide. However, Jamsheed Quli was educated and loved poetry. He died in
1550 of on incurable disease.

Qutub Shah 3 : IBRAHIM QULI QUTUB SHAH (1550 -- 1580)

The youngest son of Sultan Quli Qutub Shah, Ibrahim, lived in exile as an honored
quest of the Raja of Vijayanagar. It was during this sojourn that he learnt to love
Telugu and speak it almost as his second mother tongue. When he ascended the
throne, Ibrahim patronized and encouraged the learning and writing of Telugu as
few Muslim or non-Muslim rulers had done before him. Poets from all over the
Deccan converged at Ibrahim's court.
During his reign, Golconda was further strengthened. Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah
invited his nobles to construct buildings within its walls, Mosques, Schools, Alms
houses, and the Dam at Hussain Sagar, Budwel and Ibrahimpatnam were all to his
credit. Besides, Ibrahim was noted for his able administration.

Qutub Shah 4 : MUHAMMAD QULI QUTUB SHAH (1580 -- 1612)

It was in the long, peaceful and prosperous reign of the fifth king Muhammad Quli
Qutub Shah that the Qutub Shahi dynasty reached its zenith.
Muhammad Quli was crowned king when only 15 years of age. He is best
remembered as the great planner and founder of the city of Hyderabad. According
to popular legend, the king was enamored of a dancer called Bhagmati, belonging
to a small village of Chichelam where the famous Charminar now stands. He found
Bhagnagar to perpetuate his love for her, the name of the city was accordingly
changed by the king to HYDERABAD.
Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, like Ibrahim, patronized and encouraged the Telugu
language as much as he did Arabic and Persian. He was himself an accomplished
poet in Telugu and fostered local traditions and rituals. He was also the creator of
the first Deccani poetry.
Muhammad Quli was hardly 48 when he died in 1612 after a fairy long reign of 32
years. He was a humane and just king, besides being a great builder and man of
letters. Hayath Bakshi Begum was his only daughter who was married to his
nephew and successor, Sultan Muhammad Qutub Shah.

Qutub Shah 6 : SULTAN MUHAMMAD QUTUB SHAH (1612 -- 1626)

The nephew and son-in-law of Muhammad Quli, Sultan Muhammad ascended the
throne as the sixth Qutub Shah. A well versed scholar, he had a deeply religious
temperament and was a connoisseur of good books. The Qutub Shahi chronicles
were completed during his reign. He further contributed to the architectural
achievements of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. The foundation of the principal mosque
Mecca Masjid was laid during his reign in 1617. He also began the construction of
the building of Sultan Nagar. These projects were however not completed in his
lifetime.

Qutub Shah 6 : ABDULLAH QUTUB SHAH (1626-1672)

Son of Sultan Muhammad, Abdullah ascended the throne at the age of 12, his
mother administering the kingdom till he attained maturity. He lived a life of
pleasure and ease. Though the Kingdom was extended during his rule, it came
under Mughal pressure in 1636. Golconda was attacked in 1656 and as a result,
heavy indemnity had to be paid. He died on 1st May, 1672.

Qutub Shah 7 : ABUL HASAN TANA SHAH (1672 -- 1699)

Abul Hasan, also known as Tana Shah, was Abdullah Qutub Shah's son-in-law. He
proved an able ruler and a staunch defender in the face of the Mughal might. He is
remembered as a benign and tolerant king who placed his people's prosperity and
well-being above everything else.
Tana Shah was the last king of Golconda. During his rule, the Mughal Emperor
Aurangazeb seized the fortress of Golconda for a period of 8 continuous months.
In 1687, the Mughals finally stormed the fortress after the gates were opened by a
traitor. Abul Hasan was taken prisoner. He was held captive first at Bidar and then
at Daulatabad (Aurangabad) where he died in prison after 12 years of captivity.
Jan Sapar Khan, one of the nobles of Aurangazeb, accompanied Abul Hasan up to
Daulatabad. He was later made the governor of the Deccan under the kingdom of
Aurangazeb.

The Nizam Dynasty

A Brief History of the Asif Jahi ( Nizams ) Dynasty
After the illustrious era of the Qutub Shahis, the city of Hyderabad came under the
rule of the mighty Mughal Aurangazeb. Mir Qamaruddin, the son of an able officer
of Aurangazeb was a favorite of the emperor. He served as a minister under the
Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah and was conferred with the title of Asif Jah.
Consequently he rose to the post of the Viceroy of Deccan while still very young.
In due course, he wielded such undisputed power that the enraged Aurangazeb
ordered his assassination. The task was entrusted to Mobariz Khan, the local
governor of Hyderabad. But this was not to happen. The attempt backfired and
Mobariz Khan was killed in A.D. 1724.

Mir Qamaruddin assumed the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk and conducted himself as a

independent prince. This led to the establishment of the Asif Jahi dynasty, named
after the title of it's founder.

The Asif Jahi dynasty spanned seven generations from A.D. 1724 to 1948, a
period much longer than the preceding Qutub Shahis. The state covered an
extensive 95,337 sq. miles - An area larger than Mysore or Gwalior and the size of
Nepal and Kashmir put together! With the diversity of languages and peoples,
sheer size and culture Hyderabad gained a nationwide importance under this
dynasty. Historians however, are quick to mention that the Nizams could not
parallel the contributions made to the state by the Qutb Shahis.

Nizam 1 : MIR QAMARUDDIN (1671-1748)

Born on 11th August 1691, Mir Qamaruddin was a courageous warrior and
extremely loyal to the Mughal emperor. Aurangazeb gave him the name
Qamaruddin. At the age of six he came to the court with his father and work
awarded the title of "Munsab". The emperor took a special liking to the boy and
predicted his future greatness. At the age of 20 he received the title "Chin Qalich
Khan" from emperor Aurangazeb and was soon given the governorship of the
Bijapur.

Nadir Shah's invasion of Delhi took place in 1738. It was Mir Qamaruddin who
intervened and negotiated a successful truce. Impressed with the Nizam-ul-Mulk's
ability, the Shah offered the empire of India to him. Mir Qzmzruddin refused,
owing allegiance to the Emperor. Such was his loyalty.

Asif Jah passed away in 1948, at the ripe old age of 77. He is remembered as a
resolute and able administrator, yet devoted to his family and friends. He laid the
firm foundations of the Asif Jahi dynasty in the Deccan.

Nizam 2 : NIZAM ALI KHAN (1734-1803)

The fourth son of the Nizam-ul-Mulk, Nizam Ali Khan was born on 24th February,
1734. He assumed the Subedari of the Deccan at the age of 28 years and ruled
the Deccan for almost 42 years - The longest period among the Nizams. His reign
was one of the most important chapters in the history of the Asaf Juhi dynasty.
Among his efforts to consolidate the Nizam empire was the shift of the Deccan
capital from Aurangabad to Hyderabad. He ruled the Deccan at a most critical
period. He protected the Deccan from the attack of the Marathas and Tippu Sultan
of Mysore by signing a mutual protection treaty with the British.

After a reign that played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Nizam dynasty,
Nizam Ali Khan died in 1803 at the age of 69. He was buried at the Mecca Masjid
alongside the tomb of his mother Umda Begum.

Nizam 3 : MIR AKBAR ALI KHAN (1768-1829)

This Akbar Ali Khan Sikander Jah was born on 11th Nov 1768 .After the death of
the Nizam Ali Khan he became the Subedar Jah was ratified by the emperor Shah
Alam Khan and he also conferred all his father's titles on Sikander Jah.

Nizam 4 : MIR FARKUNDA ALI KHAN (1794-1857)

Mir Farkhanda Ali Khan Nusir-ud-Daulu was born in Bidar on 25 th April 1794. He
was the eldest son of Sikander Jan and after his father's death he succeeded him
on 23 rd may 1829.During the reign of his father a number of British officers were
employed on several civil services. Hence on ascending the throne is 1829 one of
the first ads of this highness was to request the Governor general ,Lord William
Bentick to the European officers.

Nizam 5 : MIR TAHNIATH ALI KHAN (1827-1869)

Mir Tahniath Ali Khan Afzal-ud-daula was born on 11th October 1827 .He was teh
eldest son of Nawab Nasir-ud-daula .He ascended the throne on 18th may 1857
and Indian mutiny was stated on 17th July 1857 Rohilas attacked the residency
but Sir Salar Jung put down he attack with a firm hand. Similarly trouble was
stated in Sholapur but the maharaja of Sholapur was unable to control transferred
to the Nizam by the English yielding retained of Rs. 21 lakh per annum but Derar
was retained in trust by the British for the purpose specified in the treaty of 1853.

Nizam 6 : MIR MAHBOOB ALI KHAN (1866-1911)

Mir Mahaboob Ali Khan was born on 17th August 186. He was the only son of
Nawab Afzal-ud-Daula .When his father died he was two years and seven months
old. He was installed as the Munsab by Sir Salar Jung the Great, Nawab
Rasheeduddin Khan, Shar-ul-Ummul and the Resident, there functioned as the
Reyab. Shar-ul-Ummul passed away on 12th Decemer,1881 and Salar Jung
become the sole regent. He was remembered administrator and regent till his
death.

Nizam 7 : MIR OSMAN ALI KHAN (1886-1967)

Mir Osman Ali Khan was born in Hyderabad on 5th April, 1886 at Purani Haveli.
Since he was the heir-apparent, great attention was paid to his education, and
eminent scholars were engaged to teach him English, Urdu, Persian. On 14th April,
1906 he was married to Dulhan Pasha Begum, daughter of Nawab Jahangir Jung,
at Eden Bagh at the age 21.
Nizam of Hyderabad and
Tiger of Mysore
During the rule of Aurangzeb’s great grandson Muhammad Shah (1719-1748), the
governor of Deccan was one Nizam-ul-Mulk. In 1723 he decided to carve himself a
kingdom. Another Mughal functionary, Mubariz Khan had created a near independent
state in Hyderabad, which was attacked by the Nizam in 1724. After forsaking his
capital in Aurangabad, the Nizam moved to Hyderabad and founded the strongest
independent Muslim state of the South. After British power rose in and around
Madras, Hyderabad played an important role, especially in the struggle between the
British and the French of Pondicherry. Nizam–ul-Mulk was ruling most of what today
is the state of Andhra Pradesh whereas in the south the Nawab of Arcot was
controlling parts of Tamil Nadu. Nawab-ul-Mulk died in 1748 and a succession battle
ensued and spilled over to Arcot. The Anglo-French war intensified and puppet
nawabs were placed in both Arcot and Hyderabad and played like pawns in a chess
game by both the British and the French. Robert Clive a clerk and junior merchant of
the East India Company fought the French and restored Muhammad Ali as Nawab of
Arcot while the French controlled Hyderabad and seated Muzaffar Jang as the
Nawab there. Later, when the French suffered defeat by the British, the Nizam of
Hyderabad switched his allegiance to the British and promised them more land in the
coastal Andhra Pradesh.

The Marathas had control of Tanjavur but with the help of Hyderabad both French
under de Bussy and British under the command of their hero Robert Clive started
their incursions deep into Maratha lands in the west. Eventually the French would
lose to the British, who utilized to their advantage, the ‘farman’ (imperial directives, a
sort of protection) they had obtained, using trickery, from the Mughal ruler,
Farrukshayar, Aurangzeb’s grandson in 1716. Robert Clive sailed to Bengal when
Siraj-ud-daula evicted the British from Calcutta and in what is known as ‘two hundred
day war’ defeated the Nawab of Bengal (battle of Plassey) and installed a puppet
nawab, just like in Arcot. Later the British, using the ‘farman’ as an excuse forced the
Mughal emperor Shah Alam II to recognize Bengal as part of British territory. Later
the Nizam of Hyderabad aided the British in their battles against the menacing Tipu
of Mysore and consequently remained in their favor. Nizams of Hyderabad continued
to rule their kingdom with British protection and would survive for another 150 years,
until the independence of India in 1947.

The French in the face of defeat in Madras courted a Haidar Ali who was rising in
power in Mysore. They had already lost the support of the Nizam of Hyderabad who
had switched sides and was now a pawn of the British. Haidar Ali was in the service
of the Wodeyars of Mysore, a little known kingdom of not much consequence in
southern Karnataka. The Wodeyars were left over chieftan-nayaks from the
Vijayanagara Empire and at various times had been overpowered by the Bijapur
sultans as well as the Marathas. However, they remained inconspicuous and of little
stature and escaped notice for a long time. The Wodeyars had lost their kingdom to
two brothers in whose service a devout Muslim with ties to erstwhile Bijapur sultans
through his ancestors, rose to prominence as an able soldier and leader. Haidar Ali
learned by observing the power struggle between the French and the English and
was fascinated with the European tactics of warfare. After protecting Mysore from
invading Marathas in 1758, Haidar Ali deposed the brothers and became the
undisputed ruler of Mysore in 1761.
Meanwhile Nizam Ali had deposed the nizam of Hyderabad who was his brother. Ali,
in his quest to be seen with favoritism by his British overlords, proposed to attack
Mysore. Haidar Ali was flexing his muscles and had gained considerable grounds in
Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The first Mysore war was fought in 1767, when the British-
Hyderabad alliance suffered a crushing defeat. Haidar Ali’s reputation soared. The
treaty and peace terms in favor of Haidar Ali were shamelessly reneged by the British
and soon a second Mysore war ensued from 1780 to 1784. With his son Tipu as an
able warrior, Haidar was winning the war when he died in 1783. He had captured
Arcot from right under the nose of the British company. When troops from Bengal
joined the fight, Tipu had to sue for peace and the Peace of Mangalore was drawn
(which eventually proved to be meaningless).

Tipu was unhappy with the French support he had received. He

then sent a delegation to Versailles as well to the Ottoman
sultan in Constantinople. The delegation received a warm
welcome in France but little military help. Tipu’s territories had
included the Malabar Coast from where he was able to launch
successful trade with Arabia and his kingdom became
prosperous. He was also interested in agriculture and sought
experimental seeds and new crops from all over Asia and
France. Srirangapatnam was a converted to an admirable
botanical garden and he introduced silkworm cultivation to
Mysore (for which the region is well known even today). Tipu’s
rule became the envy of the neighboring states and this did not bode well for him in
the long run. Educated, possessed with a curious mind and with the ability to rule his
subjects well he gained the nickname ‘Tiger of Mysore’. This is not to say Tipu was
not ruthless. He showed no mercy when it came to people he considered enemies of
the state. The torture that Tipu inflicted on his enemies are legendary.

The Marathas aside, the British were very nervous about Tipu’s success and never
ceased their complicity against him. A third Mysore war was fought from 1790 to
1792 with the pretext that Tipu had attacked Travancore. Lord Cornwallis pursued
Tipu with vigor into Bangalore and Srirangapatnam with the help of Marathas and the
Nizam of Hyderabad. Tipu was outnumbered and had to pay indemnity to release his
two young sons, ages eight and ten, who had been taken into British custody as
assurances.

Tipu was in no position to renew his hostilities with the British as his power had been
truncated by them. But the new governor Wellesley, sensing a weakened tiger
attacked in 1799 with massive force from which there was no escape for Tipu. The
pretext for the unprovoked attack was that it was thought that Tipu had made
overtures to Napoleon to help him ward off the British. The siege of Srirangapatnam
lasted for three months and Tipu’s body was found among the dead, cut with
bayonets and shot twice. His prized and famous jeweled sword-belt had been stolen.
This single victory paved the way for the British supremacy of India.

Mysore was tamed as well as its tiger. A child of the Wodeyar dynasty was installed
as the ruler and was treated as a subordinate. The British now had control over
coastal Karnataka and free access to the sea trade routes.