BHAGMATI OF HYDERABAD IS FICTION AND NOT FACT: EXPERTS.

For generations, Hyderabadis and others the world over were regaled by the romantic folklore and legend of Bhagmati, said to be the beloved of Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutub Shahi dynasty and founder of Hyderabad. Bhagmati is back in focus as Hyderabad city celebrates its 425th birthday on 09th October, 2016. But did she really exist? The Deccan Heritage Trust which has researched the story finds Bhagmati to be a piece of fiction, much like the celluloid story of Saleem-Anarkali or Jodha- Akbar. "She simply doesn't exist. There is no stone inscription, no grave, no coins, no mention in Quli Qutub Shah's poems Kulliyat. There is no evidence to prove her existence. It's just hearsay. There is conclusive evidence that Bhagmati is fictionand not fact", said Dr. Mohd. Saifullah, Honorary Managing Trustee of the Deccan Heritage Trust.
He added, "We are coming out with a book, Hyderabad Forever, on how the story was born. Bhagmati is merely a figment of imagination. I wish the Bhagmati-Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah romance existed". As proof, Dr. Saifullah points to the graves of Taramati and Premamati, courtesans, and others. But there is no grave for Bhagmati. Prof. Haroon Khan Sherwani, author of ''The Foundation of Haidarabad" says Bhagmati did not exist. The lore of the Bhagmati-Quli romance was propagated by Dr. Mohiuddin Quadri Zore in the 1940s and 1950s. The chronicler of Qutub Shahi history, Ferishta, mentions Bhagmati, and says Bhagyanagar was named after her; that the Sultan was fascinated by her charms and ordered that whenever she came to the Court, she should be attended by 1,000 horsemen.
Quli Qutub Shah was born in 1566 and died in 1612. According to history, he took up construction of Hyderabad city since the fortress Golconda was over-crowded. The Charminar was the first structure built in Hyderabad in 1591-92, followed by Badshahi Ashoorkhana to house the alam or replicas of the banner carried by Imam Hussain at Karbala which is the mourning place of Shia kings in 1593-94 and the Darusshifa, including a hospital, in 1595. 
Sherwani, M.A. Nayeem and other historians assert Quli Qutub Shah laid the foundation stone of the new city and named it Haiderabad (City of Haider). The Sultan refers to it one of the poem as Shahre Hyderabad. Mughal historians and Europeans called the city Bagnagar and Baghnagar (City of Gardens).
The Reality and Myth: For generations Hyderabadis have heard the story of Baghmati.
The Facts: 

  • Bhagmati, the beloved of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah V is just fiction like Salim-Anarkali and Jodha-Akbar.
  • Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah married Khundmir Bibi. the daughter of Peshwa Mir Shah Mir. She gave birth to Hayath Baksh Begum.
  • There is not tomb, palace, garden, literature, inscription, coins or mention of Bhagmati even once in Quli Qutb Shah's poetry collection of his harem.
  • The graves of Taramati and Premamati, courtesans of Quli Qutub Shahi era, exist. So do the graves of others, but not of Bhagmati.
  • Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah V laid the foundation for Haiderabad or the City of Haider in 1591 after the fourth Caliph of Islam, Hazrath Ali. It is also called Baghnagar or Bagnagar (City of Gardens) due to its gardens.
  • Quli Qutb was just 11 years old, too young to have an affair.
  • Construction of Puranapul was started in 1576 and completed in 1578.
Fiction:

  • Bhagmati, resident of Chichlam beyond Charminar, romanced Quli Qutb Shah.
  • She married Quli Qutb Shah and reportedly got the title Hyder Mahal. Bhagmati died in 1611.
  • Hyderabad was called Bhagyanagar after Baghmati.
  • Ibrahim Qutb Shah, father of Quli Shah, built Puranapul so that his son Mohd. Quli could meet Bhagmati by crossing the river during floods.
  • Quli Qutb Shah used to frequently meet Bhagmati.
(Based on an article written by C.R. Gowri Shanker published in Deccan Chronicle dated 11th September, 2016).
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