Qutb Shahi architecture is the distinct style ofIndo-Islamic architecture developed during the reign of theQutb Shahi dynasty, also known as the Golconda Sultanate.
Qutb Shahi buildings are seen in the city ofHyderabad and its surroundings. TheGolconda Fort, which predates the founding of the city is the earliest example. The style reached its zenith during the reign ofMuhammad Quli Qutb Shah, who founded the city of Hyderabad and constructed theCharminar as its centerpiece.
The style is similar to that of theBahmani Sultanate and otherDeccan Sultanates, whose monuments can be seen inGulbarga,Bijapur, andBidar. It is heavily influenced by Persian architecture.
Several buildings in the style were put byUNESCO on its "tentative list" to become aWorld Heritage Site in 2014, with others in the region, under the nameMonuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate (despite there being a number of different sultanates).[1]
The Qutb Shahi buildings consist of:
The number of arches on the facade would be either five, symbolizing thePanjtan, or three, symbolizing God, Muhammad, and Ali.[3][4] The mosques would be set within caravanserais or shops nearby would be endowed to the mosque in order to ensure funding.
In some Hyderabad mosques, the entire facade has been decorated with low-relief work. The most used motifs are medallions above the arches, and a flower resting on the point of the arch.[5]
The importance of the dome decreased in Golconda mosques, and in later mosques it is altogether eliminated. Shallow domes, which would not be visible from the outside, would be used to support the roof. TheToli Masjid represents the final phase.[5][4]
Golconda mosques generally have two minarets, flanking the mosque facade. Two, smaller minarets are provided at the rear in some mosques. However, the rear minarets are uncommon.[4]
They constitute the dominant feature of the mosque, as domes are reduced in importance, especially in later mosques. Instead of an open balcony, as seen in Bahmani structures, the balconies are covered and projecting outward in the form of galleries. Consequently, the minarets are heavy-looking. The towers generally taper upwards, and each upper balcony is smaller than its lower counterparts.[5]
The use of black basalt to decorate the qibla wall is typically seen.[4]
There is some variety in the design of the Qutb Shahi tomb. The most common type is square, highly influenced by theBahmani andBarid Shahi tombs.[6]
TheGolconda Fort is the earliest example of the style.
TheQutb Shahi tombs are the necropolis of the Qutb Shahi rulers, set in a vast garden on the outskirts of the Golconda Fort.[7][8] The tombs share a common features: anonion dome atop a cube surrounded by an arcade with rich ornamental details, with small minarets featuring floral motifs.[9]
TheCharminar is one of the most recognizable examples of Qutb Shahi architecture.[10] It was built byMuhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 as a centerpiece for the newly built capital city of Hyderabad. The Charminar is a large building, square in plan, having an arch in each of its faces and a lofty decagonal minaret at each of its angles. To the south of the Charminar is theMecca Masjid, which is one of the largest mosques of India.[11]
To the north of the Charminar is theGulzar Houz fountain, which is surrounded by four arches called theChar Kaman.[12] The arches are simple and do not have many embellishments. There used to be other Qutb Shahi palaces, as well as a rose garden in the vicinity, but they were probably destroyed during theSiege of Golconda.
Another early structure was thePurana Pul, built in 1578[13] across the Musi River.[14] TheTomb of Abdul Qadir Amin Khan at Patancheru is also from this period.
The Qutb Shahi rulers built elaboratecaravanserais, or resthouses, including theShaikpet Sarai andTaramati Baradari. The former had had 30 rooms, stables for horses and camels, a mosque and a tomb of an unknownsufi saint.
Other mosques built during this time include theKhairtabad Mosque,[15]Hayat Bakshi Mosque,Musheerabad Masjid,[16] andKulsum Begum Mosque.
The Qutb Shahi rulers also made considerable additions to theGandikota Fort.
Later structures built by the Asaf Jahi rulers, such as theAfzal Gunj Masjid, were built in a revival Qutb Shahi style.[3]
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