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Khairatabad Tomb: The 400-Year-Old Mystery of the Empty Grave
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News18•21-09-2026, 12:22
Khairatabad Tomb: The 400-Year-Old Mystery of the Empty Grave
- •A 400-year-old tomb in Hyderabad's Khairatabad remains empty, never having housed a grave.
- •Built in the 17th century during the reign of Muhammad Qutb Shah, it showcases Qutb Shahi architecture.
- •Princess Khairunnisa Begum, daughter of the Sultan, constructed it for her revered teacher, Akhund Mulla Abdul Malik.
- •The teacher passed away during a Hajj pilgrimage and was buried in Mecca, leaving the tomb vacant.
- •Once a grand structure, the tomb is now deteriorating amidst urban development, losing its historical identity.
Key Questions Answered
The tomb was built by Princess Khairunnisa Begum for her religious teacher, Akhund Mulla Abdul Malik, but he passed away en route to the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. Because his last rites were performed in that sacred land, his body never returned to Hyderabad, leaving the structure without a grave.
The tomb dates back to the 17th century and was constructed during the reign of Muhammad Qutb Shah, the sixth Sultan of Golconda.
The structure is an example of Qutb Shahi architecture, featuring a grand dome, arched doorways, walls, and intricate plasterwork. However, it is currently in a dilapidated state, losing its identity amidst residential buildings with cracks on the dome and overgrown bushes.
