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Hyderabad In the late 16th century Muhammad Quli shifted the Qutb Shahi capital from Golconda to Hyderabad, a newly planned city across the Musi River. Muhammad Quli's impassioned patronage of the arts ensured that the city became a centre for painting, poetry, and architecture. This tradition of artistic activity continued at the Hyderabad court through the decline of the Qutb Shahis into the early 18th century, under Mughal and Asaf Jahi patronage. Charminar, an ornamental gateway to the Qutb Shahi palace, was built by Muhammad Quli at the intersection of the two principal streets of his new capital. Its imposing arched portals are flanked by columns of arched recesses. A complex cornice and parapet contain arcaded stories and geometrical screens. At the corners are high polygonal minarets each with four arcaded balconies and flattish domes.

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Mecca Masjid	Nizami Pavilion	Badshahi Ashurkhana	Northwest wall	State Museum
Vishnu	Mahakali	Venkatesvara Temple	Khairati Begum	Akhund Mullah

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Photos and Text © Amit Guha

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