Hyderabad’s oldest attraction features the final resting places of every sultan who ever ruled over the medieval settlement of Golconda, which lies in ruins nearby.
Combine a visit to the popular Golconda Fort with a tour of the Qutub Shahi Tombs. See the tombs of all seven Qutub Shah sultans who governed the area during its 170-year span in the Middle Ages. The crowds here are smaller than at Golconda Fort but the site is well worth a visit. Nowhere else in the world are all the rulers of one clan buried in a single area. Tour the tombs to learn the history of Golconda and its rulers. Notice the luxurious architecture, which mixes several styles.
Book at the entrance to get a history lesson during a guided tour of the tombs for a small fee. As you walk along, see the granite arches and domed roof sloping above you. The architecture of the tombs blends Hindu, Persian and Pathan styles.
Each of the seven tombs varies in size and design. Find the tomb of Muhammad Ouli Outub Shah, Hyderabad’s founder. Rising 42.5 metres (140 feet) into the air and crowned with a sizeable dome, the tomb is one of the most impressive of the seven. Sarcophagi, or symbolic coffins, accompany each tomb.
Once you’ve studied the final resting places of every Golconda ruler, explore artefacts like vases and jewels located in the small museum on site. A mosque on the grounds features ornate minarets and grand arches.
Visit any day of the week from morning to late afternoon. The admission fee to enter the tombs is different for tourists and Indian nationals.
Located west of Hyderabad, the Outub Shahi Tombs lie in the Ibrahim Bagh region, near the Golconda Fort. To arrive by bus, get off at the Banjari Darwaza or Gulshan Colony stops, which are located close to the tombs. Alternatively, come by taxi from the city centre.
