The Legend of Bhagmati — Fact or Fiction, by Mohammed Safiullah

Bhagmati’s place in Hyderabad’s history debated, deccanchronicle.com

Retired IAS officer Bawa interacts with heritage enthusiast Mohd. Safiullah who gave a presentation, Bhagmati — Fact or Fiction at the Salar Jung Museum on Saturday. — DC

Extract: ... He pointed out to the fact that there are no manuscripts, inscriptions and miniature artworks depicting Bhagmati. In fact, there isn’t even a marked grave. Therefore, she is more the product of fiction than fact. ... However, other historians did not agree. They said the evidences that Safiullah quotes are not accurate.

However P. Jogi Naidu, the retired deputy director of the department of archeology, said, “Bhagmati's tomb is located in Talab Katta, on the eastern side of Charminar. The then Chichdam village (now known as Shah Ali Banda) was an important area of the Qutb Shahi dynasty and it was Bhagmati’s birth place. Some people have removed all the inscription written on the tomb and do not allow visitors to view the grave. The Deccan School of Art from 1750 onwards represented her miniatures and painting and also depicted the events during that era.” continue reading

On the same shelf:

• Metro Rails’ mischief- Hyderabad named as Bhagya Nagar, Siasat 

  Hyderabad, November 09: Metro Rail project officials have very treacherously inscribe “Hyderabad Metro Rail- a new face of Bhagyanagar” on its website. It only shows the communal mentality of the officials of Metro Rail project. The so-called intellectuals are bent upon declaring Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar. They claim that Bhagmati was the beloved of Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, Founder of Hyderabad City but it is only a fiction which has no relevance with reality.

  The fact is that Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah named this city after Hazrath Ali, to express his devotion for Hazrath Ali who was also called Hyder-e-Karrar. Hyder Mahal was the wife of Quli Qutub Shah and the mother of Hayath Bakhshi Begum. In those days, there used to be many Baghats (Gardens) and therefore the city was called Bagh-e-nagar which after distortion becomes Bhagyanagar. Those who talk of the legendary love story of Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah and Bhagmathi should know that Purana Pal was constructed in 1578 and at that time, the age of Quli Qutub Shah was only 9 years. The story of Bhagmati is imaginary. Had she been the member of the Royal family, a coin could have been minted on her name or a tomb would have constructed but nothing has happened. It is for the citizens of Hyderabad to ask the Managing Director of Metro Rail Project, Mr. N.V.S. Reddy that how did he give place to this mischievous slogan on the official website of Metro Rail Project. continue reading

• Hyderabad, Musi river and a love story, DC