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Mughal Empire in Telangana

June 03, 2026 ·

Mughal Empire in Telangana

1687 CE – 1724 CE | The Suba of Hyderabad | From Golconda Conquest to the Rise of Asaf Jah

37 Years of Direct Rule | Pivotal Transition | Maratha Incursions | Foundation of Nizamate

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.

Key Historical Significance

End of an Era
It marked the definitive end of the prosperous and culturally distinct Qutb Shahi Sultanate.
Political Transition
Served as a direct prelude to the founding of the princely state of Hyderabad, a major power in South India for over two centuries.
Administrative Continuity and Change
Mughals largely retained the existing administrative structure (Faujdari system, local Deshmukhs) but integrated it into the Mansabdari system.
Rise of Local Resistance
Saw significant rebellions (e.g., Sarvai Papanna) highlighting Mughal difficulty in controlling the Telangana countryside.

Chronology of Key Events

  • 1636: Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda forced to accept Mughal suzerainty under Emperor Shah Jahan.
  • 1655-56: Prince Aurangzeb (Viceroy of Deccan) attacks Golconda, imposes harsh treaty and matrimonial alliance.
  • 1687: Aurangzeb conquers Golconda Fort after prolonged siege; imprisons Sultan Abul Hasan Tana Shah; annexes kingdom.
  • 1687-1700: Governorships of Rahulla Khan and Zansifar Khan – struggle with Maratha raids and Zamindar revolts.
  • c. 1700-1708: Rebellion of Sarvai Papanna, a powerful local chieftain, challenges Mughal authority.
  • 1702: Massive Maratha army under Tarabai plunders Hyderabad.
  • 1707: Death of Aurangzeb; war of succession begins.
  • 1708-1709: Prince Kam Bakhsh declares himself independent Sultan in Hyderabad; defeated and killed by Emperor Bahadur Shah I.
  • 1713: Emperor Farrukhsiyar appoints Mubarez Khan as Governor of Hyderabad and Nizam-ul-Mulk as Viceroy of the Deccan.
  • 1719: Sayyid Brothers (kingmakers in Delhi) conspire to remove Nizam-ul-Mulk from the Deccan.
  • 1720-1722: Nizam-ul-Mulk helps Emperor Muhammad Shah eliminate Sayyid Brothers; made Grand Vizier.
  • 1724: Nizam-ul-Mulk returns to Deccan. Battle of Shakarkheda – defeats and kills imperial governor Mubarez Khan, marking de facto establishment of independent Hyderabad under Asaf Jahi dynasty.
I. 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.
II. Rulers and Governors of the Mughal Suba of Hyderabad

1. Emperor Aurangzeb (1658–1707)

Aurangzeb (ruled from Delhi/Deccan camp)

The region was conquered and firmly controlled by his central authority.

Governors of Hyderabad Suba under Aurangzeb:

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. Emperor Bahadur Shah I (Shah Alam I) (1707–1712)

War of Succession and Fragmentation (1707–1709)

After Aurangzeb's death, a war of succession fragmented the empire. Claimant in Hyderabad: Sultan Muhammad Kam Bakhsh (1707 – 13 January 1709) – declared himself 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. Emperor Jahandar Shah (1712–1713)

Brief Reign

No significant impact on Telangana.

4. Emperor Farrukhsiyar (1713–1719)

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. Emperor Muhammad Shah (1719–1748)

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: Battle of Shakarkheda

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, marking the de facto establishment of Hyderabad as an independent state under the Asaf Jahi dynasty.

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 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).

Economy and Trade

The period was one of economic disruption.
Decline: 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.

Society

Instability: Society was marked by warfare, banditry, and power struggles between 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 local folklore, symbolizing resistance to central authority.

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.

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: English, French, and Dutch companies had factories in the region, but their political influence was limited during this specific period.

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.

Chronology, Dating and Inscriptions

The period uses the standard Mughal Hijri calendar, with key dates often verified by farmans (imperial orders), court chronicles like Ma'asir-i-Alamgiri, and European company records. Inscriptions from this era would be found on repaired fort walls and in mosques, typically in Persian.

Successor States / Vassals

The direct successor state was the Asaf Jahi Dynasty of Hyderabad, founded by Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah I after the Battle of Shakarkheda in 1724. While paying nominal allegiance to the Mughal Emperor in Delhi, the Nizams ruled Hyderabad as a virtually independent kingdom until its integration into India in 1948. The various Zamindars who had revolted against the Mughals, like those of Kaulas and Paloncha, eventually became tributaries to the new Asaf Jahi state.
Sources & Further Reading
  • Jadunath Sarkar, History of Aurangzeb
  • Jadunath Sarkar, Fall of the Mughal Empire
  • H. K. Sherwani, The Bahmanis of the Deccan (for context)
  • Ma'asir-i-Alamgiri – court chronicle of Aurangzeb’s reign
  • Annual Reports on Indian Epigraphy (ARIE) – Mughal farmans and inscriptions from Deccan

The Mughal interlude in Telangana was brief but transformative – it ended the Qutb Shahi legacy, introduced Mughal administrative frameworks, and inadvertently created the conditions for the Asaf Jahi dynasty to rise. The echoes of this period can still be traced in the forts, land records, and political memory of the Deccan.

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