The contemporary literature gives us detailed information about the economy of the Golconda Kingdom. It was one of the richest Kingdoms in Medieval period in the Deccan. Two main factors contributed to its richness. Firstly, the natural wealth of the kingdom, specially the diamond mines of the Golconda State. Secondly, the fertile coastal land, water source and brisk foreign trade carried through Machilipatnam port with Central Asia and European countries.
Agriculture and Irrigational Facilities
The Qutb Shahi Sultans and their officials encouraged agriculture. Agriculture was the primary occupation of the people. The Qutb Shahi Sultans, like the earlier Kakatiya Rulers, realised the importance of construction and maintenance of small and big irrigational works. Many tanks of Kakatiya times were repaired by Qutb Shahis. During the period of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah, Hissain Sagar tank, Budwel tank and Ibrahimpatnam tank etc were constructed. Peasants and people used water from the above tanks for agriculture and drinking purpose. A tank was built at ‘Durg’ just five kilometers from the Golconda fort. Its water was supplied to royal family and officials through hydrological engineering skill. Maa Sahab Tank was built by Khanam Agha (popularly known as Masehaba) near Saifabad to supply the water for local public.
Agriculture was the chief occupation of the majority population of the kingdom. The Sultans also extended liberal support to peasants by construction, repairing tanks and canals. The agricultural land was divided into two categories viz., Zamindari lands. The agricultural work was carried by peasants between June to October. Commercial crops like cotton, jute, pulses, fruits, flowers were grown on large scale. In Telangana region, fruits and flowers were grown on large scale. Thevenot in his account described the different verities of grapes cultivated in Telangana region by the peasants. Eluru in coastal Andhra was famous for indigo cultivation.
Qutb Shahi Sultans also instructed their officials, and employees at Village, Sarkar, Pargana and Taraf level to protect and maintain local tanks and canals. The officials engaged in this task were given extra salaries. An inscription dated 1551 C.E., States that Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah repaired the ‘Pangal’ tank and ‘Udaya Samudram’ tank during his reign. The Sultan also ordered that from the total product under these two tanks, king was given 1% share, peasants 1 ½% share, 1% share to brahmins, are 1% share to Soldiers was allocated. The officials of Qutb Shahi Sultans like Rahmatullah, Anthoji (Hawaldar) also encouraged repairing works of tanks, canals in the Nellore region. As a result, area of agricultural land was increased. This contributed to the increase in agricultural production. Thus, Qutb Shahi Sultans became a model to all their successive rulers by encouraging agriculture and by construction, and repairing tanks, canals etc.
Industries of Golconda Kingdom
Diamond cutting, diamond polishing, textile industry, carpets industry, ship-building industry, salt peter industry, Iron and Steel industry and Kalamkari industry are important industries of Qutb Shahi period. Skilled and trained persons are only engaged in these industries and production. After agriculture, few sections depended upon these industries at rural and urban level to carry their livelihood.
Diamonds of Golconda and Diamond Industry
Golconda Kingdom became very famous for its best quality diamonds. The diamonds of Golconda enjoyed great demand in European market. ‘Kollur’ in Krishna, Ramallakota (Kurnool), Gollapalli, Mallavalli, Vajrakarur are famous for their best quality diamonds. According to French traveler Tavernier, even during Vijayanagar times also, these diamond mines were in operation. In the year 1640 C.E., when Tavernier visited the famous Kollur mine, nearly sixty thousand workers are engaged in the digging, cleaning, drying of diamonds. Men, women and children were also engaged in the mining work. World famous diamonds like Kohinoor, Hope, Pitt, Pigot, Nizam etc., are found in the diamond mines of Golconda Kingdom.
Textile Industry
The textiles, of Golconda enjoyed great demand in the European market. The textiles of various nature and excellent quality were produced by the weavers of Golconda. After fulfilling the local needs, they were exported to outside the county. The textiles of Golconda were known for their colours and quality. Red, blue, and white colour textiles were sold in long bundles. The plain cotton cloth, Muslin Calico and Lungees are manufactured in different parts of Golconda kingdom. Muslins were fine or superfine, made principally for internal consumption. Calicoes were a stout cloth in various qualities, depending on the finess of the yarn and the number of threads per inch. Many types of flowers, leaves were used in printing various pictures on textiles, sarees, etc. Chintz cloth was very popular in the kingdom, Kalankari cloth was produced by expertise weavers at Masulipatnam, Palakollu and Nizampatnam. At Narasampuram, best quality calico cloth was produced by weavers. In contemporary literature was mentioned the variety of textiles like Maslin, Salempuri, Palampur, etc. Sultans and officials purchased costly dress material.
Carpet Industry
Golconda kingdom was famous for best quality carpets. Warangal carpets earned a special place in the market. Mettawada, Girmajipeta Hasanparthy areas of Warangal, Machiliptanam and Elloru were inhabited by many Muslim carpet weaving families. The raw material required for carpet making was available in large quantity in Telangana.
Ship Building Industry
English and other merchants got their ships built every year at Narsapuram, Bheemunipatnam and Machilipatnam. The foreign travel accounts of Methwold and Shorer also referred about the big and small size ships, prepared by experienced workers at Narsapur. Best quality teak wood and iron was used in their making. The Dutch trading vessels were built at Bhimilipatnam, Narsapur, Machilipatnam and Pulicat.
Saltpeter Industry
Saltpeter industry also flourished under Qutb Shahis. It was preparation powder to be used in guns of firing. Masulipatnam, Narsapuram, and Pulicat are famous for Saltpeter products.
