#history
Golconda Fort
Golconda Fort is one of the historical monuments which is a must see site for anyone visiting Hyderabad.
It was in the 12th century AD, that the Shepard’s Hill (Golla-Konda) was first fortified by the Kakatiya Dynasty.
Built on a granite hill, the first structures were made of mud and predictably didn’t hold too well against invasion.
By 1364, the fort had changed hands from the Kakatiyas to the Munusuri Nayaks, and then to the Bahamani Sultans.
Breaking away from the Bahamani Sultanate, Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk quickly established the Qutb Shahi dynasty, soon strengthening and expanding the structure into the granite fort we see today.
In the year 1687, after eight years of being under siege by the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, the fort fell to the Mughal Empire.
Golconda’s outer wall encompasses 11 kilometres, with each successive ruling dynasty adding to the architecture of the fort. There are four forts, a number of temples, mosques, stables, royal apartments, bastions, and gardens.
Entry into the fort is guarded by spiked gates, the 15 to 18 feet high walls.
Precious diamonds like the Daria-i-Noor, Koh-i-Noor, and the Hope Diamond are all believed to have been unearthed at the Golconda Mines.
While the mines are inaccessible today, you can still see the acoustic design.
An interesting feature which vows the visitor is that, from the Bala Hisar pavilion at the apex of the hill, you can clearly hear the handclaps at the entrance of the fort at the foothills (a warning signal in case of invasion).
Nearby heritage sites include the Qutub Shahi Tombs and Taramati Baradari (a royal music hall).
