Various folklores exist about the origin of Hyderabad's name, but the BJP believes it was originally Bhagyanagar, a prosperous city protected by Goddess Bhagyalakshmi. The name gained popularity as a counter to growing Muslim influence in the Old City.
Published Nov 24, 2024 | 10:50 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 24, 2024 | 10:50 AM
Does President's attendance at RSS event signal potential name change of Hyderabad to Bhagyanagar? (@rashtrapatibhvn on X)
Legend has it that Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, founder of the Golconda Sultanate, named the city after Bhagmati, a local dancer. The dancer, goes the lore, later converted to Islam, and adopted the title Hyder Mahal.
The city was subsequently named Hyderabad. The toponymy’s origin is debatable since one school of thought considers it to be named after the valorous Caliph Ali Ibn Abi Talib, also known as Hydar, a lion in battles. Hyderabad is a portmanteau of the Arabic words ‘hydar’ (lion) and ‘abad’ (city).
The BJP, however, does not subscribe to either of the theories. It claims that the city got its earlier name from the Bhagyalakshmi Temple. The party has also been reiterating that it would change Hyderabad’s name to Bhagyanagar once it rides to power in Telangana. The move has the approval of the RSS.
With the city’s name caught in a political tangle, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurating a conclave, LokManthan-2024 Bhagyanagar, has raised several eyebrows, since the office of the president has been considered an apolitical one.
The event is being held by pro-Sangh Parivar Prajna Pravah, a body of intellectuals, researchers, and academicians, to “Experience the Oneness of Bharatiya” — as its website says.
The BJP has been maintaining that the city was originally called Bhagyanagar, City of Fortune. Also, the name became popular because of the goddess Bhagyalakshmi who was supposed to have protected the city.
The name was subsequently made popular by the Hindus to counterbalance the growing Muslim influence in the old city.
The Bhagyalakshmi temple at Charminar in Hyderabad has since become the go-to place for all BJP leaders who want to rename cities. They want to ensure that no relics of the Nizam culture or rule would persist. The BJP leaders continue to take blessings from the deity before commencing any programme.
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar offered special prayers at the temple before he took out his Praja Sangrama Yatra in 2022 ahead of the Assembly elections. All top BJP leaders, when they visit Hyderabad, make it a point to visit the temple, reminding those who live in the area, mostly Muslims, that the city would one day be renamed Bhagyanagar.
Urban legend, as mentioned earlier, says the city got the name after Mohamma Quli Qutb Shah fell in love with dancer Bhagmati at first sight. He is believed to have constructed Purana Pul, a bridge across the Musi River, so that it became easier for him to visit her.
He finally married her. She later converted to Islam and took the title Hyder Mahal. The city was then renamed Hyderabad, again after her.
The BJP subscribes to the folklore that Hyderabad was known as Bhagyanagar because of the Bhagyalakshmi Temple and on several occasions they made it clear that they would change the name of Hyderabad back to Bhagyanagar.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who leads in changing the names of the cities in his state, also found nothing wrong in Bhagyanagar when he campaigned for the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections in 2020.
The BJP leaders have been saying that they would change the name of the city to Bhagyanagar immediately after coming to power in Telangana. But even before they grow to a size where they can capture power, they make their desire known in several ways.
Now RSS, the soul of BJP, has sent invitations in the name of Bhagyanagar and the President attends the programme which makes it look as though the proposal is still very much alive in the minds of the BJP leaders.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
