Review: Sultan Muḥammad Qulī Qutb Shah
By K. Sajun Lal
Summary
Dr. Syed Mohiuddin Qadri Zore’s monograph on Sultan Muḥammad Qulī Qutb Shah is summarised by the reviewer. The Sultan, renowned Urdu and Persian poet and founder of Hyderabad, ascended the throne at about fourteen and a half years of age as the fifth Qutb Shahi king. Drawing on unpublished sources and the Sultan’s own poetic compositions, the author paints a vivid picture of the social, intellectual and cultural life of late sixteenth‑century Golconda. The book notes that the Sultan composed 5,670 verses in Urdu and Persian; although his Telugu poetry is lost, his linguistic versatility endeared him to his subjects. Under his rule, Hyderabad reached its zenith, enjoying peace, prosperity and cultural efflorescence. The monograph contains ten chapters covering his succession, artistic tastes, cultural and social milieu, wars, administration, death and evaluation of his contributions to Urdu literature. The reviewer remarks that although the Sultan admitted his own faults and possessed a romantic temperament, he remains a prominent figure in Deccan history and deserves recognition for building Hyderabad and fostering Urdu poetry. The book is praised for its use of new sources, clear style and inclusion of photographs and an index.
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Conclusion
The review concludes that Zore’s biography offers a comprehensive and sympathetic portrait of Sultan Muḥammad Qulī Qutb Shah. By combining archival research with analysis of the Sultan’s poetry, the author recreates the cultural vibrancy of Golconda and highlights the king’s contribution to Urdu literature and urban development. The reviewer commends the work for bringing this important Deccan ruler to wider attention.