What were the importance of Tilangana during the period of Qutb-ul-Mulk?

Taking advantage of Qutb-ul-Mulk’s occupations, Achyuta Raya had occupied Kondavidu and some other places in Ulangana with the help of the nayaks of Belamkonda and Kondapalli. Qutb-ul-Mulk made a bold attack, captured Belamkonda and advanced as far as Ellore and Rajahmundri.

The chief of Kondapalli was defeated and fort occupied. Prataprudra had to sign a peace treaty by which Godavari was to be boundary line between the two states. Kondavidu, too, was captured but had to retreat when Achyuta Raya marched in person. A final battle was fought at Godavari in which Qutb-ul-Mulk came out victorious. Achyuta agreed to pay an annual tribute.

At the fag end of his life, Qutb-ul-Mulk had to proceed in person to suppress the rebellion of one of his chiefs, Raja Harichand of Nalgonda. Raja Harichand was Idlled and his territory was annexed. Qutb-ul-Mulk was soon confronted with Ali Barid who, in league with Ibrahim, Bijapur ruler, ravaged the Golkonda territory.

Qutb-ul-Mulk asked Ali to hand over Kaulas and Medak to him which he had occupied illegally. On the intervention of the shia leader, Shah Tahir, the matter was settled amicably and Ali restorec Medak to Qutb-ul-Mulk.

Sultan-Quli, the veteran of many distinguished battles, had outlived all his colleagues, the founders of the other dynasties of Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Berar and Bidar. He had reached the ripe age of ninety-eight. His son Jamshid who expected to succeed him could no longer wait and had his father murdered on September 2, 1543.

Estimate

Sultan-Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk, the founder of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, was a man of rare abilities. He was a brave and courageous soldier and a statesman of high order. He was a great strategist which enabled him to win many battles against powerful adversaries.

He successfully adopted the strategy of keeping in reserve about 2,000 soldiers whom he would throw in the battle at the flag end and thus rout his enemies. He was a kind-hearted and tolerant person.

He would pardon his enemies and permitted them to march out safely after their surrender. He was a great builder. He built the Golkonda fort and erected a number of buildings including mosques, palaces and the gardens in the city. He was devout shia which he established as state creed.