A new book on Deccan Sultanates and the Iranian connection

More than 400 years after it was built, Charminar continues to draw sighs of ecstasy from tourists and local visitors. But few know or care to find out the strong Iranian influence on it. Grand in conception and perfect in workmanship, the chef-d’oeuvre of the Qutb Shahi amazes visitors no end.

The Iranian element in the monuments left behind by the Qutb Shahi rulers is predominant. Be it Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi domes or elevation of various structures the Persian traits are unmistakable. Hyderabad itself is modelled on the lines of Isfahan, the then Iranian capital. The layout plan of Golconda fort, construction of palaces, development of gardens, water works and concealed drainage system are all based on Iranian style. A great deal of scientific planning went into the construction of ‘Isfahani-i-Nou’ (new Isfahan) by Mir Momin Astrabadi to whom the job was entrusted by Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah.

One can find out all this and more from the new book written by well known historian, M A Nayeem. The book titled Safavid Iran and the Deccan Sultanates - Diplomatic and Cultural Relations offers an interesting glimpse into the profound Iranian influence on the art, architecture, life and culture of people of Deccan. The Iranian heritage, race and creed of the Qutb Shahi rulers and the nobility had a strong bearing not just on the daily life but court, administrative system, socio-economic conditions and the art and architecture that developed at Golconda and Hyderabad.

In fact this is the first such book which explores the Safavid Iran’s relations with the Deccan Sultanates of the Bhamnis, the Adil Shahis, the Qutb Shahis and the Nizam Shahis during the 16th and 17th century.

“The interesting part is that founders of the first three Deccan Sultanates were of Iranian origin and Shi'ihs. This is the vital link between the Safavid Iran and the Deccan Sultanates,” says Nayeem.

Having served as the Research Officer at the State Archives, he has a wealth of information about Deccan kingdoms. A prolific writer, he has authored more than 20 books, including six on the heritage series of Deccan and has acquired a reputation for embellishing his works with authentic details culled after meticulous research.

Nayeem lives up to his reputation in the latest book. He documents Iranian influences and impact on the Deccan Sultanates and its culture by 70 relevant illustrations which have survived for several hundred years. Nayeem takes pains to present Iran’s relations with five Deccan Sultanates beginning with Bahmani kingdom (1347-1538) and its offshoots Adil Shahi kingdom of Bijapur (1489-1686), Qutb Shahi kingdom of Golconda (1512-1687), Barid Shahi kingdom of Bidar (1538-1619) and Nizam Shahi kingdom of Ahmadnagar (1490-1536).

The book throws light upon political, diplomatic, commercial, socio-cultural and religious relations which, according to Nayeem, resulted in transformation of the Deccani-Muslim culture into Perso-Deccani civilisation.


Mohammad Haghbin Ghomi, Consul General, Islamic Republic of Iran at Hyderabad, released the book last weekend at Salar Jung Museum.

-J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu,

Dated 25 of October, 2017.

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The options in Chatta Bazar for calligraphic and decorative Urdu printing material are mind-boggling

Marriages are made in heaven. But the wedding cards are printed mostly in Chatta Bazar. No matrimonial ceremony in Hyderabad is complete without a visit to Patharghatti for the bridal trousseau and then to the nearby Chatta Bazar for selection of wedding invites. Though shops dealing in wedding cards are available elsewhere too, most families prefer to make a beeline to Chatta Bazar.

The reason is not far to seek. There are nearly 300 shops on this stretch of road leading to the City Civil Courts and all of them specialise in composing and printing of Urdu, Arabic and English wedding cards. Over the last half a century, the bazaar has remained the one-stop shop for wedding invites. From simple to elegant designer cards — you can shop for wedding invitations of your choice and budget.

For traditional Islamic shaadi cards, Chatta Bazar remains the preferred destination especially for calligraphic and decorative Urdu printing. The shops here also provide relevant Quranic verses and Urdu couplets befitting the occasion thus adding to the sanctity of the occasion. “Whenever a marriage takes place in our family, we come here to shop for the wedding cards,” says Yunus Khan echoing the views of many. In fact many people from the nearby Telangana districts and Karnataka areas forming part of the erstwhile Nizam domain come to this place for printing Urdu wedding cards.

One of the oldest markets of Hyderabad, Chatta Bazar is close to the famed Dewan Devdi, once the residence of Salar Jungs. They owned a vast area surrounding the palace extending from Nayapul to Patherghatti on one side and up to Purani Haveli on the other side. The two gateways - one towards Chatta Bazar and another towards Patharghatti - still exist. “There were some printing presses those days here and the area was known as ‘Chapta Bazar’ but over the years the name has got corrupted to Chatta Bazar,” says historian, M A Qaiyum.

Whatever be the name, now it is a busy place with wedding card shops lining both sides of the road. The Aijaz printing press and Shamsul Islam press are the oldest ones dating back to more than 70 years. This place has seen the evolution of the wedding invitation cards printing from the complex lithographic to screen printing and the latest multi-colour digital offset. Shops here also print bill books, posters, aqeeqa cards, visiting cards, child naming ceremony cards apart from many little known Urdu weeklies, fortnightlies and monthlies. Chatta Bazar is also the place where one can get forms of any government department.

Simple yet classy, the sheer variety of wedding cards available at Chatta Bazar is mind-boggling. “One can buy cards here for as less as Rs. 800 per 100 to Rs. 10,000,” says Syed Riyaz Mohammed of Nice Cards and Printers.

Plush and rundown shops coexist cheek-by-jowl here. A typical shop is one under the arch leading to the court. Khaleel Ahmed, 60, is seen immersed in giving deft calligraphic strokes to a wedding card unmindful of the flow of traffic.

If you are planning a lifetime of togetherness, just drop in at Chatta Bazar. The wedding card crafted here might set the right tone for the marriage.

The area was known as ‘Chapta Bazar’ but over the years the name has got corrupted to 'Chatta Bazar'

- J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu

Dated October 4,2017.

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