The Mughal Empire's direct rule over Telangana (1687 - 1724) was a relatively short but pivotal period that bridged the fall of the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda and the rise of the independent Asaf Jahi dynasty (the Nizams of Hyderabad). Following the brutal siege and conquest of the Golconda Fort in 1687 by Emperor Aurangzeb, the region was incorporated into the Mughal Deccan as the Suba (province) of Hyderabad. This era was marked by political instability, frequent Maratha incursions, local rebellions, and administrative challenges, which ultimately paved the way for the establishment of a de facto independent state under Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah I.
1655-56: Prince Aurangzeb, as Viceroy of the Deccan, attacks and humbles Golconda, imposing a harsh treaty and a matrimonial alliance.
1687: After a prolonged siege, Emperor Aurangzeb conquers Golconda Fort, imprisons Sultan Abul Hasan Tana Shah, and annexes the kingdom.
1687-1700: Initial governorships of Rahulla Khan and Zansifar Khan, who struggle with Maratha raids and Zamindar revolts.
~1700-1708: Rebellion of Sarvai Papanna, a powerful local chieftain, challenges Mughal authority.
1702: A massive Maratha army under Tarabai plunders Hyderabad.
1707: Death of Aurangzeb, leading to a war of succession.
1708-1709: Prince Kam Bakhsh declares himself independent Sultan in Hyderabad but is defeated and killed by his brother, Emperor Bahadur Shah I.
1713: Emperor Farrukhsiyar appoints Mubarez Khan as Governor of Hyderabad and Nizam-ul-Mulkas Viceroy of the Deccan.
1719: The Sayyid Brothers, kingmakers in Delhi, conspire to remove Nizam-ul-Mulk from the Deccan.
1720-1722: Nizam-ul-Mulk helps Emperor Muhammad Shah eliminate the Sayyid Brothers and is made Grand Vizier.
1724: Nizam-ul-Mulk returns to the Deccan. The Battle of Shakarkheda is fought where he defeats and kills the imperial governor, Mubarez Khan. This marks the de facto establishment of Hyderabad as an independent state under the Asaf Jahi dynasty.
Emperor: Aurangzeb (ruled from Delhi/Deccan camp)
Governors of Hyderabad Suba:
Rahulla Khan (1687 – c. 1688): Appointed temporarily after the conquest. Proved ineffective against Maratha raids.
Zansifar Khan (c. 1688 – 1700): An able military ruler who secured the forts and managed administration. He died in office.
Prince Muhammad Kam Bakhsh (1700 – 1707): Aurangzeb's youngest son, appointed as Subedar. His tenure saw severe Maratha attacks and the rebellion of Sarvai Papanna.
Governor of Hyderabad: Mubarez Khan (Appointed June 1713). He ruled effectively and was loyal to the Mughal court, not to Nizam-ul-Mulk.
Governor of Hyderabad: Mubarez Khan (Continued in his post until 1724).
1724 CE - The Final Conflict: In 1724, Nizam-ul-Mulk returned to the Deccan to claim his authority. The incumbent governor, Mubarez Khan, resisted. Their armies met at the Battle of Shakarkheda (1724), where Nizam-ul-Mulk emerged victorious and killed Mubarez Khan.
Suba (Province): Telangana was administered as the Suba of Hyderabad, with its capital at Golconda/Hyderabad.
Faujdars: Military governors were appointed to key forts (Kaulas, Elgandal, Warangal) for defense and revenue collection.
Deshmukhs & Zamindars: Local chieftains (like Venkatadri Naidu) were retained as revenue collectors and intermediaries, holding titles like Manne-sultan. Their frequent revolts were a major administrative challenge.
Havaldars: Officials in charge of Parganas (districts).
Decline: The prolonged Mughal-Maratha wars and constant raids led to insecurity on trade routes.
Drought and Famine: Severe droughts around 1701-1702 caused widespread death and economic hardship.
Taxation: Governors like Kam Bakhsh imposed heavy taxes, including the Jizya (tax on non-Muslims), which further burdened merchants and peasants.
Dakkani Muslims: This native Deccani Muslim community, who had served the Qutb Shahis, were initially integrated into the Mughal administrative framework as Faujdars.
Local Resistance: The rebellions of figures like Sarvai Papanna became part of the local folklore, symbolizing resistance to central authority.
European Traders: European companies (English, French, Dutch) had factories in the region, but their political influence was limited during this specific period.
Legacy: The most significant legacy was the administrative and geographical foundation it provided for the Asaf Jahi dynasty. The structures, revenue systems, and territorial boundaries of the Mughal Suba of Hyderabad became the core of the future Nizamate.
End of an Era: It marked the definitive end of the prosperous and culturally distinct Qutb Shahi Sultanate.
Political Transition: This period served as a direct prelude to the founding of the princely state of Hyderabad, which would become a major power in South India for over two centuries.
Administrative Continuity and Change: The Mughals largely retained the existing administrative structure of the Qutb Shahis (like the Faujdari system and the use of local Deshmukhs), but integrated it into the broader Mughal Mansabdari system.
Rise of Local Resistance: The period saw significant rebellions highlighting the difficulty the Mughals faced in establishing firm control over the Telangana countryside.
Political Transition: This period served as a direct prelude to the founding of the princely state of Hyderabad, which would become a major power in South India for over two centuries.
Administrative Continuity and Change: The Mughals largely retained the existing administrative structure of the Qutb Shahis (like the Faujdari system and the use of local Deshmukhs), but integrated it into the broader Mughal Mansabdari system.
Rise of Local Resistance: The period saw significant rebellions highlighting the difficulty the Mughals faced in establishing firm control over the Telangana countryside.
Chronology of Key Events
1636: The Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda is forced to accept Mughal suzerainty under Emperor Shah Jahan.1655-56: Prince Aurangzeb, as Viceroy of the Deccan, attacks and humbles Golconda, imposing a harsh treaty and a matrimonial alliance.
1687: After a prolonged siege, Emperor Aurangzeb conquers Golconda Fort, imprisons Sultan Abul Hasan Tana Shah, and annexes the kingdom.
1687-1700: Initial governorships of Rahulla Khan and Zansifar Khan, who struggle with Maratha raids and Zamindar revolts.
~1700-1708: Rebellion of Sarvai Papanna, a powerful local chieftain, challenges Mughal authority.
1702: A massive Maratha army under Tarabai plunders Hyderabad.
1707: Death of Aurangzeb, leading to a war of succession.
1708-1709: Prince Kam Bakhsh declares himself independent Sultan in Hyderabad but is defeated and killed by his brother, Emperor Bahadur Shah I.
1713: Emperor Farrukhsiyar appoints Mubarez Khan as Governor of Hyderabad and Nizam-ul-Mulkas Viceroy of the Deccan.
1719: The Sayyid Brothers, kingmakers in Delhi, conspire to remove Nizam-ul-Mulk from the Deccan.
1720-1722: Nizam-ul-Mulk helps Emperor Muhammad Shah eliminate the Sayyid Brothers and is made Grand Vizier.
1724: Nizam-ul-Mulk returns to the Deccan. The Battle of Shakarkheda is fought where he defeats and kills the imperial governor, Mubarez Khan. This marks the de facto establishment of Hyderabad as an independent state under the Asaf Jahi dynasty.
1. Origins and Rise
The Mughal interest in Telangana was part of their broader imperial ambition to conquer the Deccan Sultanates (Ahmednagar, Bijapur, and Golconda). While the Qutb Shahis of Golconda were initially forced into vassalage in 1636, their perceived wealth, Shia faith, and occasional alliances with the Marathas made them a target for the orthodox Sunni Emperor Aurangzeb. The final conquest in 1687 was the culmination of this long-standing policy.2. Rulers
1. Aurangzeb (1658–1707)
The region was conquered and firmly controlled by the central authority.Emperor: Aurangzeb (ruled from Delhi/Deccan camp)
Governors of Hyderabad Suba:
Rahulla Khan (1687 – c. 1688): Appointed temporarily after the conquest. Proved ineffective against Maratha raids.
Zansifar Khan (c. 1688 – 1700): An able military ruler who secured the forts and managed administration. He died in office.
Prince Muhammad Kam Bakhsh (1700 – 1707): Aurangzeb's youngest son, appointed as Subedar. His tenure saw severe Maratha attacks and the rebellion of Sarvai Papanna.
2. Bahadur Shah I (Shah Alam I) (1707 CE - 1712 CE)
War of Succession and Fragmentation (1707–1709) After Aurangzeb's death, a war of succession fragmented the empire, directly impacting Telangana.
Claimant in Hyderabad: Sultan Muhammad Kam Bakhsh (1707 – 13 January 1709):
Following his father's death, Kam Bakhsh declared himself the independent Sultan of Golconda in 1708, re-establishing the old kingdom's territories.
He was defeated and killed in battle near Hyderabad by the army of his brother, the new Emperor Bahadur Shah I.
Claimant in Hyderabad: Sultan Muhammad Kam Bakhsh (1707 – 13 January 1709):
Following his father's death, Kam Bakhsh declared himself the independent Sultan of Golconda in 1708, re-establishing the old kingdom's territories.
He was defeated and killed in battle near Hyderabad by the army of his brother, the new Emperor Bahadur Shah I.
3. Jahandar Shah (1712 CE - 1713 CE)
A brief reign with no significant impact on Telangana.The Later Mughals and the Rise of the Nizam (1709–1724)
Control from Delhi became weaker, and powerful regional governors began to assert their autonomy.
Governor: Authority was re-established, but no prominent governor is mentioned for this short period other than the pacification of rebels like Papanna.
Governor: Authority was re-established, but no prominent governor is mentioned for this short period other than the pacification of rebels like Papanna.
4. Farrukhsiyar (1713 CE - 1719 CE)
Viceroy of the Deccan: Nizam-ul-Mulk (Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan Siddiqi) (Appointed 1713, removed by court politics in 1715).Governor of Hyderabad: Mubarez Khan (Appointed June 1713). He ruled effectively and was loyal to the Mughal court, not to Nizam-ul-Mulk.
5. Muhammad Shah (1719 CE - 1748 CE)
Viceroy of the Deccan & Grand Vizier: Nizam-ul-Mulk (Re-appointed 1720, Grand Vizier 1722–1724).Governor of Hyderabad: Mubarez Khan (Continued in his post until 1724).
1724 CE - The Final Conflict: In 1724, Nizam-ul-Mulk returned to the Deccan to claim his authority. The incumbent governor, Mubarez Khan, resisted. Their armies met at the Battle of Shakarkheda (1724), where Nizam-ul-Mulk emerged victorious and killed Mubarez Khan.
3. Administration
The administration was a blend of Mughal and local systems.Suba (Province): Telangana was administered as the Suba of Hyderabad, with its capital at Golconda/Hyderabad.
Faujdars: Military governors were appointed to key forts (Kaulas, Elgandal, Warangal) for defense and revenue collection.
Deshmukhs & Zamindars: Local chieftains (like Venkatadri Naidu) were retained as revenue collectors and intermediaries, holding titles like Manne-sultan. Their frequent revolts were a major administrative challenge.
Havaldars: Officials in charge of Parganas (districts).
4. Economy and Trade
The period was one of economic disruption.Decline: The prolonged Mughal-Maratha wars and constant raids led to insecurity on trade routes.
Drought and Famine: Severe droughts around 1701-1702 caused widespread death and economic hardship.
Taxation: Governors like Kam Bakhsh imposed heavy taxes, including the Jizya (tax on non-Muslims), which further burdened merchants and peasants.
5. Society
Instability: Society was marked by warfare, banditry, and the power struggles between the Mughals, Marathas, and local Zamindars.Dakkani Muslims: This native Deccani Muslim community, who had served the Qutb Shahis, were initially integrated into the Mughal administrative framework as Faujdars.
Local Resistance: The rebellions of figures like Sarvai Papanna became part of the local folklore, symbolizing resistance to central authority.
6. Art and Culture
This was a period of transition rather than great cultural flourishing under Mughal patronage. The primary architectural contributions were military—repairs and fortifications of forts like Golconda, Kaulas, and Warangal. The vibrant Indo-Persian culture of the Qutb Shahi era persisted but lacked the same level of royal patronage until the rise of the Asaf Jahis.7. Foreign Relations
Marathas: The primary external threat. They frequently raided the outskirts of Hyderabad to extract Chauth (tribute), as seen in the 1702 attack led by Tarabai.European Traders: European companies (English, French, Dutch) had factories in the region, but their political influence was limited during this specific period.
8. Achievements and Legacy
Achievements: The Mughals successfully, if briefly, unified the Deccan under one empire. Able governors like Zansifar Khan and Mubarez Khan provided periods of stability and secured the forts.Legacy: The most significant legacy was the administrative and geographical foundation it provided for the Asaf Jahi dynasty. The structures, revenue systems, and territorial boundaries of the Mughal Suba of Hyderabad became the core of the future Nizamate.
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