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Amidst beautifully laid out gardens of
Ibrahim Bagh there are seven tombs, erected in memory of the departed
kings of Golconda
called as Qutub Shahi Tombs. They are magnificent monuments of
architectural excellence, located 1-km away from Golconda Fort. They stand
as solemn reminders of the grandeur and glory of Golconda and the great
kings who are buried here. Unique feature of this place is nowhere in the
world are there so many tombs in one place.
A
Blend Of Persian, Pathan & Hindu Forms
The tombs are graceful structures with intricately carved stonework. The
tombs display a distinctive style, a mixture of Persian, Pathan and Hindu
forms. The material used for constructing these tombs was grey granite
embellished with stucco ornamentation.
The tombs form a large cluster and stand on a raised platform. They are
domed structures built on square bases' surrounded by pointed arches. Each
tomb stands on a wide quadrangular terrace approached on all sides by
flights of steps. The galleries of the smaller tombs are single storied
while the larger ones are two storied.
The main body of the edifice is broad, rising 9 to 15m above the terrace
of each tomb is a sarcophagus, which overrules the actual burial vault in
a crypt below. The domes were originally overlaid with blue and green
tiles, of which only a few pieces remain now.
The Tomb Structure
Balustrades surround it with beautiful minarets at the corners. These are
the tombs of the six Qutub Shahi kings. Noteworthy among these is the tomb
of the fifth king of the Qutub Shahi dynasty and founder of Hyderabad -
Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah. Rising to a height of 42.5m with a large dome
and 28 open arches, his tomb is one of the largest and most imposing of
monuments.
The tombs were once furnished with carpets, chandeliers and velvet
canopies on silver poles. Qurans were kept on supports 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.
These tombs bear mute testimony to the past glory and grandeur of the
Qutub Shahi's. The tombs are open for the public on all days except on
Fridays from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Every year Department of Tourism conducts "Deccan
Festival" for five days by organising programmes of internationally
renowned artists.
Air: Hyderabad being the capital
city is well connected by air and has got its own airport.
Rail: Hyderabad has got its own railhead, which connects it to all
the major cities within the state as well as in the country.
Road: Hyderabad
is well connected by road with various cities in and outside the state.
Tourists can take city buses from any point of the city. Rickshaw's and
Taxi's are the other modes of transport to get to Qutub Shahi Tombs.
Accommodation is available in the hotels at Hyderabad.