Also known as the Seven Tombs of Hyderabad, the Qutb Shahi Tombs, these domed mausoleums dating from the 1540’s hold all except the last of the Qutub Shahi sultans.

The Qutb Shahi Tombs are located in the Ibrahim Bagh (garden precinct), and are located close to the famous Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad. In the center of each tomb is a sarcophagus – the actual burial vault is in the crypt below. The domes were originally overlaid with blue and green tiles, of which only a few pieces now remain.

The seven tombs are:

1. Sultan Quli Qutub ul Mulk 1518-1543
   The chamber is octagonal, with each side measuring approximately 10 meters, crowned by a circular dome.
2. Jamsheed Quli Qutub Shah 1543-1550
   Built in two stories, unlike the squat tombs of the other kings, and not out of shining black basalt.
3. Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah 1550-1580
4. Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah 1580-1620
   Built in 1602 A.D and considered the grandest of the tombs, the tomb is on a terrace of 65m square and 4m high.  Inscriptions in Persian and the Naskh scripts decorate the tomb, located in a vault below the terrace.
5. Muhammed Qutub Shah 1612-1626
   The facade of this tomb was once decorated with enameled tiles, now only traces are evident.
6. Abdullah Qutub Shah 1626-1672
7. Nizamuddin Ahmed 1672-1687

On site is also a mortuary bath opposite the tomb of Muhammad Quli. This was built to facilitate the washing of the bodies of the dead kings and others of the royal family before they were carried to their final resting place.

If you are in Hyderabad, stopping here as a start of a day trip is a great plan. You can then go to the Charminar and the the Chowmahalla Palace in the center of Hyderabad. My advice is to either hire a taxi or a car to take you around town. If you are hungry, grab biryani at any of the many Paradise Biryani restaurants around the city.

For more information:

• Hours: 9am-5pm (but are variable)
• Address: Fort Road, Toli Chowki Hyderabad, AP 500008, India
• Directions: Ask for Seven Tombs to any rickshaw or taxi driver, they will know how to get there
• Best time to visit: early in the morning (there is little shade) and
• Qutb Shahi Tombs on Wikipedia