If you want to marvel at our past glory and military might you need to visit this 13 th century fort made under three dynasty starting from the Kakatiyas followed by the Bahamani ruler and finally by the Qutub Shahi’s before it was captured by the army of Aurengzeb in1687 and destroyed in the process leaving behind just the reminisces of what at one point of time was considered to be India’s most impressive citadels. The defenses of this fort were so strong that no known attack of the time could penetrate its strong ramparts.

As Golconda is strategically located in the peninsular part of India, it acquired prominence on the political map of India when the Kakatiya rulers built Mangalawaram or Mankal, a mud fort in Golconda in 1143. The glory of the Golconda fort grew under the rulers of the Bahamani kingdom when they took over this fort in 1364. In 1507,

The Qutub Shahis expanded the modest structures built by the Kakatiyas in the thirteenth century into a fortress complex that occupied the entire area of the hill and spilling over to the adjoining terrain too.

The Golconda Fort was famous for its diamond trade and the famed Koh-i-noor diamond is said to have come from here.

Golconda Fort -A piece of excellent military architecture

The fortress is built on strategically important location on a granite hill 120 meters high; on the western outskirts around 11km from Hyderabad It was one of the most defensive and impregnable strongholds of its time with massive ramparts, bastions, and gateways. The fort also reflects the architectural skill of its builders, who built it atop a rugged boulder-strewn terrain. The marvelous acoustic features of the fort speak highly of technical achievements of the builders of that time.

The defense architecture at Golconda Fort was so strong that it could face any known artillery attack of the 17th century. Golconda Fort actually consists of four distinct forts joined together. The lowest of these is the outermost enclosure that can be entered through the Fateh Darwaza (victory gate, so called after Aurangzeb's triumphant army marched in through this gate and destroyed the entire fort in 1687) near the southeastern corner.

Golconda consists of four distinct forts with a 10km long outer wall having 87 semi circular bastions; some still mounted with cannons, eight gateways, four drawbridges and number of royal apartments & halls, temples, mosques, magazines, stables etc, inside.

Golconda fort has a number of imposing gateways. The lowest and the outer most of these is called the Fatah Darwaza is known for its acoustics. A clap of hands at the portico is heard at the Balahisar Baradari (a wind-swept pavilion) on top of the acropolis. This acted as the warning note to residents in case of danger. Cannons left behind by the Qutab Shahis and Mughal forces are still present at the hill fort. The Fateh Rahbir canon (guide to victory) was mounted by Aurangzeb on the Pethla Burj which tells the story of his victory over the qutub shahis. The Balahisar Darwaza is the most impressive gateway of this fort and is guarded by statues of mythical beasts and lions. From the Balahisar Darwaza starts the uphill ascent of some 380 uneven stone steps.

The Interiors

The main structure of the Golconda fort is laid out in a sequence of enclosures that provide a transition from public and administrative structures to the royal residences and halls. The mortuary baths lie to the right of the portico. Earthen pipes fed the large cisterns here, the source of hot and cold water. The baths were meant for the deceased harem ladies who were given the ritualistic bath before burial outside the Banjara Gate. Nagina Bagh, now in complete ruins, lies within an enclosed area. The offices of Akanna and Madanna, two important Hindu officials in the Qutab Shahi court, are further up. The large iron weights, half buried in the ground, are curious relics of the past. Ruins of the Ambar Khana and Bari Baoli (step well) are close to the upper terrace. One can also see a Hindu temple belonging to the Kakatiya period carved out of a huge boulder. It has colorful murals of the Goddess Kali on the white-painted façade. Another important structure is the mosque built by Taramati. Close to the mosque lies a small ram mandir.

The uneven 380 steps will take you to Balahisar Baradari, a wind-swept pavilion, twelve-arched, triple storeyed structure used as a durbar hall. Substantial piers into vaulted bays divide it; a raised chamber with triple arches opens off the rear wall. On the uppermost terrace stands a stone throne. A pavilion, far away in the hills, is believed to have housed Taramati, Abul Hasan’s paramour. The Baradari shows yet another engineering marvel – natural air-conditioning provided by a gap in the double walls, which sucks the air and releases it with accumulated pressure in the chamber.

Another such example is the unusual clay pipes fitted into the wall planks-evidence of an efficient water supply arrangement to the uphill residential area. A series of Persian wheels carried water from the reservoirs to upper terraces from where the pipes channelized it into baths, cisterns, gardens, and kitchens.

The fort also has steep narrow steps descending to the zenana quarters (residence of women belonging to the royal household). These palaces, built on massive platforms, has high ceilings and walls covered with decorative niches, alcoves and cornices, essentially Persian in design. The tall wooden columns, now lost, reveal the bare structure of the triple-vaulted hall.

There is also supposed to be secret underground tunnel leading from the 'Durbar Hall' to one of the palaces at the foot of the hill. The tombs of the Qutub Shahi kings, built with Islamic architecture lie about 1 km north of the outer wall of Golconda. They are surrounded by landscaped gardens, some of which having beautifully carved stonework.

It has a chequered history with all the trappings of intrigue & murders .the story of fall of one of the most invincible forts is wrapped into tragedies of betrayal. The founder of the Qutab Shahi dynasty Sultan Quli was murdered at the behest of his son. The last of the Qutb Shahis, Abul Hassan was betrayed by his lieutenants, leading to the fall of the impregnable Golconda in the hands of the mughals under Aurangzeb in 1687.

Its long and interesting history forces one to take a trip to these forts where one is bound to transcend oneself to reach into the folds of time.

The Sound and Light Show

A new attraction at the fort is a sound and light show that brings the legend of Golconda to life. With a spectacular interplay of audio and visual effects, the story of Golconda unfolds over centuries of splendors in the voice of non other than the legendary Mr Amitabh Bacchan.. The show livens up the glorious past and it is an experience worth watching. The show is presented in English, Hindi and Telugu and continues to draw large number of tourists everyday. It is rated as one of the best Son-et-Lumieres in the country .

Show Timings:

Winter (November - February) 6:30pm

Summer (March - October) 7:00pm

Duration: 55 minutes

In English: Wednesday, Sunday

In Hindi: Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday

In Telugu: Thursday

Closed on: Mondays