Intentar ORO - Gratis

THE DECCAN COSMOPOLIS: WHEN THE SOUTH WROTE THE MUGHAL WORLD BACK

The Daily Guardian

|

September 18, 2025

Muslim kingdoms in the Deccan relied heavily on local Brabmins: Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur appointed Brahmins to run the revenue system, and in Golconda Telugu-speaking Niyogi Brahmins became ministers.

- TDG NETWORK

THE DECCAN COSMOPOLIS: WHEN THE SOUTH WROTE THE MUGHAL WORLD BACK

For much of Indian history, the Deccan plateau - the great landmass of peninsular India - was treated as a far-flung frontier, a footnote to the grand narratives of North India’s empires. But imagination skips at our peril.

In reality, the sultanates of Bijapur and Golconda (Hyderabad) were cultural powerhouses whose impact reverberated far beyond the South. Their courts were vibrant cosmopolitan hubs, drawing Persian nobles, Hindu Brahmins, Abyssinian slaves, and local Muslim elites into a shared space. In an era of Mughal dominance up north, these Deccan rulers were writing back, shaping pan-Indian art, architecture and literature on their own terms.

From the early 16th century until the late 1600s, Bijapur and Golconda stood as independent sultanates, carved out of the former Bahmani kingdom. Seven Qutb Shahi sultans reigned from Golconda (1518-1687) and Adil Shahis ruled from Bijapur (1489-1686), resisting Mughal conquests longer than any other regional power. Golconda’s kings built the fortified hill city and royal necropolis of Hyderabad, while Bijapur’s sovereigns left behind dazzling monuments like the Gol Gumbaz. These capitals were not backwaters but magnets for talent and trade. As one observer noted, the Deccan “was once a cultural and economic melting pot,” with Persian officials rubbing elbows with Maratha cavalry, Telugu warriors (nayakwaris), and even African Habshi generals like the legendary Malik Ambar. Chand Bibi, the warrior princess of Ahmednagar (a neighbour), and Malik Ambar himself are now finally celebrated in popular histories - testimony to how previously these remarkable figures had been sidelined.

SULTANATES OF GOLCONDA AND BIJAPUR

MÁS HISTORIAS DE The Daily Guardian

The Daily Guardian

The Daily Guardian

KERALA HC ORDERS PROBE INTO DISCREPANCIES IN SABARIMALA TEMPLE’S GOLD PLATING PROJECT

The Kerala High Court has ordered a detailed investigation into discrepancies surrounding the Sabarimala temple's gold plating project, after it was discovered that 4 kgs of gold were unaccounted for during re-plating works in 2019.

time to read

1 mins

September 19, 2025

The Daily Guardian

Forgotten regional dishes making a comeback

India's culinary landscape is vast, diverse, and deeply rooted in its regions, communities, and traditions. Yet, as globalization and modern lifestyles brought fast food chains and fusion menus into the limelight, many authentic regional dishes slipped into obscurity. Recipes once celebrated in small towns and villages often disappeared from everyday cooking. But in recent years, there has been a heartening trend—forgotten regional dishes are making a strong comeback, thanks to chefs, home cooks, and food enthusiasts who want to reconnect with India's culinary heritage.

time to read

2 mins

September 19, 2025

The Daily Guardian

TWO DELHI POLICEMEN SUSPENDED AFTER FATAL PCR VAN CRASH

Delhi Police suspend two officials after fatal PCR van accident in Mandir Marg.

time to read

2 mins

September 19, 2025

The Daily Guardian

The Daily Guardian

MYSURU DASARA INAUGURATION ROW REACHES SUPREME COURT; HEARING TOMORROW

The controversy over the inauguration of the Mysuru Dasara festival has reached the Supreme Court.

time to read

1 mins

September 19, 2025

The Daily Guardian

The Daily Guardian

Delhi court convicts six men in 2020 riots case

A Delhi court has convicted six men in connection with the February 2020 riots, holding that the prosecution successfully established their guilt “beyond reasonable doubt.”

time to read

1 min

September 19, 2025

The Daily Guardian

The Daily Guardian

DEMOCRACY UNDERMINED BY CENTRALISED ‘VOTE CHORI’, ALLEGES SIDDARAMAIAH

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's “revelation” that votes of party voters were being systematically deleted in a targeted manner, has exposed how Indian democracy is being subverted through systematic and centralised attempts at “Vote Chori” (vote theft).

time to read

2 mins

September 19, 2025

The Daily Guardian

The Daily Guardian

Rahul has accepted defeat in Bihar: Jagdambika Pal

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jagdambika Pal on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, stating that his repeated claims of “vote chori” (vote theft) indicate that the Congress party has already accepted defeat ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

time to read

1 mins

September 19, 2025

The Daily Guardian

The Daily Guardian

Diplomats from 70 countries plant saplings at Central Ridge in Delhi

Diplomats from 70 countries planted saplings at the Central Ridge here on ‘Thursdayas part of the Delhi government's 15-day ‘Sewa Pakhwada’ to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modis 75th birthday.A total of 75 diplomats, along with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, attended the event.

time to read

1 min

September 19, 2025

The Daily Guardian

PENAL US TARIFF LIKELY TO BE WITHDRAWN AFTER NOV 30, SAYS CEA NAGESWARAN

Saying that India’s export to touch $1 trillion, CEA signals likely withdrawal of penal US tariffs after November 30.

time to read

2 mins

September 19, 2025

The Daily Guardian

Young man in Jagtial ends life over online gaming addiction

A pall of gloom descended over Jagtial town after yet another young life was lost to the growing menace of online gaming addiction.

time to read

1 min

September 19, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size