Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 116.6.7

116.6.7

After a series of victorious campaigns, Sooltan Koolly Kootb Shah having nearly attained the age of ninety resolved to spend the few remaining years of his life in arrangements for the improvement of that country in peace, which had been acquired by his personal valour in war. Though his frame was infirm, his mind still remained active; and he now thought of beautifying his capital with mosques, palaces, and gardens. It is related that he came one Thursday, in the latter end of the month of Jumad-ool-Awul, A. H. 950, to superintend some improvements and alterations making in the principal mosque at Golconda, which were to enable him to enter it by a private door, and so escape the observation of the congregation. His wish for making this arrangement was, because he always fancied the eyes of the people were attracted towards him, owing to the sabre wound he had received on the face, which he thought rendered his appearance frightful. On the day above alluded to he was giving directions to the builders, when his handkerchief which was imprinted with the names of the twelve Imams, fell from his hands. This incident induced him to put off the alterations till the next day, and he returned from the mosque.