ABSTRACT
Hyderabad has been a confluence of many languages. During the period of the Qutub Shahi rule Urdu language acquired prominence after a long dominant position of Persian as the official language. Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah composed poetry in Urdu. Naseeruddin Hashmi, a historian of Urdu literature in Deccan is of the view that Wali should be considered as the first poet of Urdu as his influence was so strong that it refined Urdu literary culture. During the Qutub Shahi period the festivals of all religions were celebrated; it created a harmonious relationship in the Deccan. The establishment of Osmania University created an environment which served as catalyst to the growth of knowledge. Urdu became the medium of instruction at the university. The university helped in the growth of Urdu language including poetry. The women poets of Hyderabad, despite some taboos in the Muslim society and Hyderabadi culture also contributed to the realm of literature.
