Quli

Quli is a historical name most commonly associated with the Qutb Shahi dynasty, the Muslim rulers who governed the Golconda Sultanate in the Deccan region of South Asia from the early 16th century until the late 17th century. The dynasty arose when Sultan Quli Qutb Shah established a new political power centered at Golconda Fort, blending Persianate court culture with Deccani traditions. The rulers used the title Quli Qutb Shah, from which the dynasty’s name is derived, and they are known for extensive architectural patronage in the region.

A prominent figure bearing the name is Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (c. 1565–1612), the fifth sultan who reigned from 1591 to 1612. He founded the city of Hyderabad in 1591 and oversaw the construction of the Charminar and other early urban and architectural works that shaped the new capital. The city is traditionally said to have been named Hyderabad after his beloved wife Bhagmati, though later lore and scholarly discussion present alternative explanations, including connections to Hyder Mahal after her conversion to Islam.

The Golconda Qutb Shahi dynasty endured until 1687, when the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb captured Golconda, leading to the incorporation of the sultanate into the Mughal Empire. The legacy of Quli and the Qutb Shahi rulers is reflected in regional architecture, city planning, and cultural patronage that left a distinctive Deccani artistic legacy in Hyderabad and surrounding areas.

The name Quli itself derives from Persian and Arabic roots meaning “servant” or “slave,” a common element in titles and personal names in the region’s historical milieu.