Qutb Shahi Tombs - The Seven Tombs of the Qutb Shahi Rulers of Hyderabad, India

Where the founding rulers of Hyderabad rest in peace, remains a quiet and peaceful park of mausoleums in the bustling city. Because international tourists are few and far between in Hyderabad, many of its historical landmarks remain a secret treasure to the locals.

Hyderabad, India is probably best known internationally for being a high tech industrial international hub, not for its rich Muslim and Persian history. It’s the founding history that makes the Qutb Shahi Tombs, also known as Seven Tombs, so interesting. Located near Golkonda Fort, Seven Tombs is the resting place for the seven original Sultans of Hyderabad (also called called Deccan or Golkonda).

The first tomb was built in the 1500s by the first Sultan before his passing. The area now holds over 20 tombs, including those for the seven sultans as well as some for their wives and children.

The style of the tombs are unique to the region. Each of the tombs is located on a square platform, a domed ceiling, pointed arches, and intricate stone carvings. Also, most have a mosque located next to it on the square platform. Because of the history of the area, these buildings fuse together Persian, Hindu, Muslim, and Pashtun influences.

Unfortunately, while the area is preserved as a park, there is little money that goes into restoring and maintaining the grounds. The gardens, that originally covered most of the land are now dirt and dust, which only adds to the feeling of a forgotten treasure.

Note: When visiting Seven Tombs, many times if you appear to be a tourist, a local will offer to be a guide to you for a hefty price, often cutting out sections of history or the space to conserve time. If you’re going to as a photographer the last thing you want is someone trying to dictate how much time you spend at each place. Feel free to politely decline their services and instead read up on the expansive history of Hyderabad through a quality travel guide. This will allow you to explore at your own pace. If you would like to learn more about the tombs, there is a small museum located in the center of the grounds with helpful staff inside.

geschrieben von lislisdotnet am 2011-03-26 in #Orte #landmark #location #hyderabad-india-architecture-park-tombs-mausoleum-mosque