Bhagmati

Bhagmati is a legendary figure associated with the origin story of the Indian city of Hyderabad, in present-day Telangana. The tale appears in later folklore and literary retellings rather than in contemporary administrative records, and its historicity is debated among scholars.

According to popular legend, Bhagmati was a dancer or noblewoman who became the wife of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of Hyderabad. The story holds that the ruler built a new capital on the banks of the Musi River and named it Hyderabad in her honor, though versions of the tale differ on her origin and status. Some accounts say she converted to Islam and took a new name; others present her as a symbolic or romantic figure rather than a clearly documented person.

Most historians note that there is no secure contemporary evidence for Bhagmati's existence or for the claim that Hyderabad was named after her. The earliest references to Bhagmati appear in later literary or folkloric sources from the 18th to 19th centuries, well after the city's early history. Consequently, the Bhagmati narrative is treated as folklore rather than established history.

Nonetheless, the Bhagmati legend has influenced popular culture, including poems, songs, and films, and it remains a well-known component of the broader Hyderabad mythos. The city’s name, etymology, and the actual founding story are the subject of ongoing historical discussion.