Contributions of Qutubshahis to Telugu Language and Literature

 Q) Comment on the contributions of Qutubshahis to telugu language and Literature? 2016, G-I.

 

 

Ans:- 

 

Qutubshahis were third rulers after Satavahanas and kakatiyas to rule entire Telugu-Speaking region. Their ruled Andhra with both Iron Fist and benevolent heart between 1512-1687. They gave immense importance telugu language. 

 

Ibrahim Qutub shah, the third king -  While taking exile in the court of the Aliya Raya of Vijayanagara Kingdom, he learned telugu language & Literature from ashtadiggajas like bhattumurthy. After taking reigns of Golconda, he started patronizing Telugu Poets and Scholars. 

 

Under his reign, Addanki Gangadahrudu, Kandukuri Rudra kavi, Ponneganti Telagayya and many other poets penned great telugu literatures. Addanki gangadharudu wrote tapati samvaranopakhyanam and dedicated this work to Ibrahim qutub shah. Kandukuri rudra kavi wrote Nirukusopakhyanam and Sugriva vijayam, which a yaksha ganam. Sugriva Vijayam is said to be the first telugu yakshaganam. [Yakshaganamu is a form of poetry in which an event or a series of events are narrated, intended to be chanted with action (on stage)]. Ponneganti Telagayya wrote Yayati Charitra, Which was a Acchha telugu Kavyam. 

Mohammad quli gave away Chintalapalem as a gift to Kandukuri Rudrakavi. Due to his patronage to telugu Literature, Kavis of that time called him “Malkhabirama”, which was a rare recognition to a Muslim Ruler of that time. 

 

His son Mohammad Quli qutub shah, who is son of a Telugu Queen, Bhagirathi and Husband of a telugu queen, Bhagmati, was eloquent in telugu language. Under his patronage, Sarangi Thammayya, An accountant of Golconda(karanam) wrote Vijayanthi Vilasam. Nebathi Krishnayyamatyudu wrote Rajaneti Ratnakaram. Another poet Raja Malla reddy wrote siva dharmottaram and padma puranam during the reigns of Muhammad quli qutub shah. 

 

His Successor Abdullah Hussein Qutub shah patronized Kshetrayya, who perfected Pada Kavitvam. He composed padas on Gopala swamy. Those padas became popular as Muvva Gopala Padas. 

 

 

Abul Hassan Tanishah last king of Golconda also patronized telugu culture. He gave away Kuchipudi village as a gift to kuchupudi dancers. During his reign, Bhakta Ramadasu, who was incarcerated by tanishah king, wrote Dasarathi Satakam. 

 

 

In this way, Qutubshahis developed telugu literature. Even though their mother tongue was not telugu, they patronized telugu and wrote and spoke to common people in telugu language.