Qutub Shahi Tombs

Qutub Shahi tombs is the royal cemetery of the seven Qutub Shahi kings who ruled Golconda for nearly 170 years. It is located at Ibrahim Bagh near Golconda, Hyderabad. A mixture of Indian and Persian style of architecture, these tombs are said to be the oldest historical monuments in Hyderabad. 

The seven tombs are surrounded by a mosque, mortuary chamber and funerary structures. Built in gray granite, the tombs are domed structures with an elevated square base surrounded by pointed arches. Most of these tombs are rises to a height of 9-15mts above the terrace, with intricately carved stonework.

The complex has around 30 tombs while a few can be found outside the compound. The smaller tombs are single storied while the larger ones are double storied. These tombs were originally ornamented with blue and green tiles of which only a few pieces remain now. To distinguish the tombs of Kings from others, a golden spire was fixed over the tombs of the Kings. At the centre of each tomb is a sarcophagus crowning the burial vault and the crypt below. Almost all the tombs are surrounded by balustrades with beautiful minarets at the corners. It stands from nine to 15 meters on a wide quadrangular terrace, and is reached by a flight of steps 

These tombs are standing at the center of its own garden known as Ibrahim Bagh, containing ponds and planted pathways. A mute testimony to the past glory and grandeur of the Qutub Shahi kings, these tombs still retain their original glory. Including the main seven tombs, the Qutb Shahi Tomb complex houses tombs of other people who were not related to royalty, either the close relatives of the rulers or nobles who served them. Among the famous is, tomb of Hayath Bakshi Begum, the daughter of Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah, founder of Hyderabad city and the man who built Charminar.

The tombs are in two large quadrangular enclosures, the first of which houses the mausoleums of Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah, Ibrahim Quli, Jamsheed Quli, Sultan Quli and Kulsoom begum, daughter of Muhammed Qutub Shah. In another quadrangle are the tombs of Muhammed Qutub Shah, Hayath Bakshi Begum, Taramathi and Premamathi (the favourite courtesans of Abdullah Qutub Shah whose tomb is outside of the quadrangles).

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