Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah

He ascended to the throne in 1580 at the age of 15 and ruled for 31 years.

Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah was the third son of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah Wali of the Sultanate of Golconda. Muhammad succeeded his father in the year 1580 at the age of 15. His rule lasted for 31 years. He faced minor rebellions on the eastern and western fronts of the sultanate during the initial years of his rule. He led the troops himself and defeated Ali Khan Loor and Yashwant Raj. In 1592 further disturbance was created by Shah Saheb for ascending the throne. During this time he sent Aitbar Khan with a large troop and he defeated Shah Saheb. Amidst the chaos Muhammad Quli was still able to patronage art and establish the city of Hyderabad. His reign is considered the high point of the Sultanate of Golconda.

From the time of his father Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah, there was a high influx of populace into the city of Golconda, which led to over-crowding and unhygienic conditions. This created the need for an extension or new city. The construction of Hyderabad was initiated in 1591, on the southern bank of the River Musi. Before construction he prayed by reciting the following couplet for the welfare of the city: "Make my city full of people, like you keep the river full of fish." There is a degree of folklore associated with selection of the land for the new city of Hyderabad. It is said that once the sultan was coming back from a hunt and he crossed the bridge across River Musi and arrived at the flat land which pleased him. However, Muhammad Quli must have been aware of the presence of this land and the story is a romanticised version. The city was planned in a gridiron manner with the Charminar in the centre and other important palaces and administrative buildings along the surrounding axes. Other important buildings which were constructed in the following years such as Dar-ul-Shifa, Mecca Masjid, Badshahi Ashurkhana and several palaces which have since been demolished. Muhammad Quli also planned several gardens throughout the city.