History
The ancient Golkonda Fort, which is located 11 kilometres to the west of Hyderabad, gets its name from the Telugu term "Golla Konda," which meaning Shepherd's Hill. It was a landmark that controlled the course of the south with its massive and lofty defences. The Warangal Kakatiyas were the initial owners of the fort. This is shown by the stucco relief work and over-door sculptures at Balahisar's entry, which include lions, peacocks, gryphons, and lotuses. It was given up to the Baihmanis in AD1363 When they were overthrown in AD1518, it became the seat of power for the Qutb Shahi rulers (AD 1518-1687). These rulers built huge defensive walls with bastions and battlements to increase and significantly fortify the fort. Then, during the reign of Abul Hasan Tana Shan, the last member of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, Aurangazeb annexed it to the Moghal Empire (AD 1687) and named Asaf Jah the Subedar of the Deccan region. In AD 1713, Asaf Jah proclaimed his country's independence from Nizam-ul-Mulk and the Nizams, who ruled Hyderabad until AD 1948.A 400-foot-high hill provided the foundation for Golkonda fort, one of the most renowned and largest fortresses on the Deccan plateau. It contains three lines of thick fortress walls that are nested one within the other and climb more than 12 metres above the ground. A deep moat was constructed around the outside of the wall, enclosing a large portion of the town that had a 7 km diameter. It includes eight majestic gates and 87 bastions that rise to a height of 15 to 18 metres to serve as buttresses. The fort was the strongest and most formidable of the Deccan forts during the mediaeval period because each of these bastions was topped with a cannon of various size.A double wall surrounds the base of the hill where the citadel is located in addition to the outer wall. A third wall is included inside the double wall, which connects the masonry walls and organic boulders further up the hill. In the year 1724 AD, a portion of the town's outer wall was extended to surround what is today known as Naya Qila. According to visitors like the Italian explorer Marco Polo, the well-planned township of Golconda within the fort was one of the magnificent cities recognised during the mediaeval era for its large commerce in gems and diamonds. The fort has an impressive aspect, and its upper section is littered with the ruins of armouries, magazines, mosques, granaries, reservoirs, and audience rooms. At the base of the citadel, however, are the residences of the queens and princesses as well as the farms of their attendants.The water supply system of the fort is quite sophisticated. Persian wheels lifted water, which was then stored in various-level overhead tanks. By using a system of stone aqueducts and a web of clay pipes, water was efficiently supplied to numerous mahals, other apartments, roof gardens, and fountains throughout the citadel.The impressive Silai Khana, a three-story Aslah Khana (armoury building), Nagina Bagh, guard posts, Akkanna-Madanna Offices, Ramdas Jail, Darbar hall, Ambar khana ruins, Baradari on the summit, an inner cordon wall, and a Masjid built by Ibrahim Qutub Shah are among the significant structures inside the citadel or balahissar (1550-1580 AD). The sole entry inside the citadel is via the east gateway, which is also one of the largest gates in the whole fort.Device for signalling (Acoustic property): The building of Golconda Fort had contained a wonderful signalling mechanism. The placement of the numerous structures allows sound to travel to various distant locations. The opposing structure, which is built at an angle to the entrance, absorbs the sound of someone clapping while standing in the middle of the entry portal. Similar to how clapping noise from the adjacent building will travel to the hilltop, even if it may not be audible at other nearby locations. It is thought that this was purposely staged to send a message about the visiting dignitaries to the guards stationed on the top of the darbar hall.The other buildings found inside the fort are Habshi Kamans (Abyssian arches), Ashlah Khana, Taramati mosque,camel stable, private chambers (kilwat), Mortuary bath, Nagina bagh, Ramasasa’s kotha, Durbar hall, Ambar khana etc.
Near by places to Explore
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Birla Mandir, Hyderabad
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Chowmahalla Palace
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Qutub Shahi Tombs
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Located in the Ibrahim Bagh, Qutub Shahi Tombs are a group of small and big mosques and tombs built by the rulers of the Qutub Shah dynasty.
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Salar Jung Museum
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- Charminar Rd, Charminar, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002
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- Toilet- No