Tana Shah

Last night I was browsing through various family albums on my laptop. We had many picnics and trips together. Particularly at week ends, we used to go to nearby places such as Daulatabad Fort, Khultabad Ghat and Ellora Caves. Since last five years, the week end picnics because restricted because of the SSC/HSC studies of my daughters. Elder one passed her HSC in 2008 and the younger one passed last week. Elder one has since gone to Mumbai for her studies and the younger one is contemplating to move out of home for her studies. So now we, as parents, are free to resume our favorite week end pursuit.

While browsing the albums, I came across the picture of China Mahal at Daulatabad Fort. What is remaining today is the part of the palace built by Shahjahan. This part was later used by Aurangzeb as prison. The last ruler of Qutbshahi of Golla Konda (Golconda near Hyderabad) Abul Hasan Tana Shah was kept in captivity there for 14 years. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was also kept here in captivity for 2 years by Aurangzeb.

During my many sojourns to Hyderabad and of course to Golconda, someone told me that the real name is Golla Konda. In Telugu, Golla means sheep and Konda means hill. The hill where the sheep used to graze was called Golla Konda which later, by variation, became Golconda.

After looking at the pictures, I thought I should write something about the tragic but interesting story of Abul Hasan Tana Shah. His story is of sheer luck and co-incidence. Frankly speaking, he did nothing much to raise to the position he enjoyed for 14 long years as Sultan of Golconda. But at the same time, he fate made him pay heavy price of being the Sultan.

I should start from the point where all will get the reference. Hence I shall start from the well known figure; Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah.

Muhammed Quli Qutb Shah, Sultan of Golconda and founder of the present city of Hyderabad passed away in 1611 AD. He had only one daughter and no son. His daughter, Hayat Bakshi Begum, played very crucial role in the politics of Golconda. Her position was unique. She enjoyed the status vary rarely enjoyed by any lady in the history of any dynasty in the world. She was daughter on one Sultan, wife of his successor and mother of the next ruler! Her husband, Sultan Muhammad was the nephew of Muhammad Quli. Their son, Abdullah later because Sultan Abdullah of Golconda.

Sultan Abdullah had two daughters and no son. Of his two daughters, the marriage of the younger one was objected to by the elder son-in-law who belonged to Mecca. In the circumstances, one Abul Hasan who was remotely related to the royal family and who at that time was living as a disciple of the Sufi Saint, Shah Raju, outside the city of Hyderabad was brought up and married to the princess. Later, through an intrigue in the palace, Abul Hasan became the new Sultan of Golconda. It is not known as to why and how he was considered and selected to marry the princess. Unfortunately, he was destined to be the last Sultan of Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda.

The last sultan of Golconda came to the throne in a very unusual manner. According to the treaty with Mughals, Prince Sultan Mohammad was to succeed Sultan Abdullah on the latter's death. But as the fate would have it, the designated successor was imprisoned by Aurangzeb himself for his dereliction and so the question of his succeeding Abdullah did not arise.

The story of Abul Hasan Tana Shah reads like a tragic romance. There are umpteen versions about how he came to be the King, how he ruled for 14 years and how ultimately he was taken prisoner by Aurangzeb to die 14 years later in captivity at Daulatabad. He was popularly known as Tana Shah because of his delicacy of temperament and finesse and not due to his despotic and unpredictive behaviour with which the term is (mis) understood now.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, visited Golconda during the reign of Tana Shah. Maharaj helped Tana Shah in his campaign against his own brothers, the Mughals and Adilshahi of Bijapur. Original documentary evidences are available to show the great pomp and extravagance by which Tana Shah treated Maharaj and how Maharaj was happy with the visit.

The Mughals invaded Golconda and the siege lasted eight months! The brave and heroic defence of Golconda against the Mughal army under the direct command of Aurangzeb makes glorious finale to the story of the Qutb Shahi dynasty.

There is one amusing story too. One night the barking of a pariah dog woke up the garrison just in time to block the entry of the Mughals into the Golconda fort. The dog was honoured with a gold collar and given a place of honour by the side of Tana Shah's throne!

As usual, the Golconda fort was taken by Mughals not by brave fight or war but by deceit and bribery. Bribery seems to be very old phenomenon in India practiced by all outside invaders and rules effectively.

Tana Shah was taken to Mughal camp as a captive. The capture and transfer of Tana Shah to Dulatabad in 1687 ended the Qutb Shahi dynasty which lasted for 169 years! Golconda became part of the Deccan province of the Mughals with capital at Aurangabad.

Tana Shah died in captivity at Daulatabad Fort and was buried at near by Khultabad where is victor Aurangzeb also lies under the same earth! Death is indeed a great equalizer!