Golconda Fort, also known as Golconda (“round hill”) is a fortified fortification and early capital of the Qutb Shahi dynasty (c.1512–1687), located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Due to the vicinity of diamond mines, especially the Kollur mine, Golconda flourished as a trading center for the large diamonds known as Golconda Diamonds.
Don’t Miss : Purana Qila
The region has produced some of the world’s most populars diamonds, including the colorless
Types of Light Diamonds from His Mine –
- Blue Hope (United States)
- Dresden Green (Germany)
- princess diamond
- Koh-i-Noor (now owned by the United Kingdom)
- Nizam and Jacob (India)
- Regent (France)
- and the colorless Orlov (Russia)
- pink Daria-i-Noor (Iran)
- the now lost diamonds Florentine Yellow
- Akbar Shah and the Great Mogul
- Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond
- white Hope Diamond
golconda fort history
No. | Points | Information |
1. | Construction Year | C. 1518-1687 |
2. | Official Language | Telagu |
3. | State | तेलंगाना |
4. | District | Hyderabad |
Golconda was originally known as Mankal. The Golconda(golkonda) Fort was first built by the Kakatiyas as section of the western gandikota defense on the few lines of the Kondapalli Fort.
The city and fort were built on a granite hill which is 120 meters (390 ft) high, which is surrounded by heavy battlements.
The fort was rebuilt and fortified by Queen Rudrama Devi and her successor Prataparudra. Later, the fort came under the control of Kamma Nayaka, who defeated the Tughlaqi army at Warangal.
It was ceded by the Kamma king Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka to the Bahamas Sultanate as part of a treaty in 1364.
Under the Bahmani Sultanate, Golconda gradually rose to prominence. Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk (r. 1487–1543), sent by the Bahmans as a governor to Golconda, founded the city around 1501 as his seat of government.
The Bahmani rule gradually weakened during this period, and the sultan formally became the Quli. Establishment of independent, Qutb Shahi dynasty based in Golconda in 1538.
Over a period of 62 years, the mud fort was expanded to the current structure by the first three Qutb Shahi sultans, a massive granite fortification spanning about 5 km (3.1 mi) in circumference.
Qutb Shahis expanded the fort, whose 7 km (4.3 mi) outer wall surrounded the city.
After an eight-month siege in 1687, the fort fell into ruins in 1687 due to its collapse at the hands of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Golconda Fort – Nearby Places
- Birla Mandir
- NTR Garden
- Lumbini Park
- Chowmahalla Palace
- Qutb Shahi Tombs
- Purana Qila
- Buland Darwaza
golconda fort images
diamonds
The Golconda Fort used to have a vault where the populars Koh-i-Noor and Hope diamonds were once stored along with other diamonds.
Golconda is populars for diamonds found in the south-east at the Kollur mine near Kollur, Guntur district, Paritala and Atakur in Krishna district and was cut in the city during the Kakatiya reign.
Golconda was a market town for the diamond trade, and the gems sold there came from many mines. The fort-city within the walls was populars for the diamond trade.
Its name has taken on a general meaning and is associated with great wealth.
Gemologists use this several classification to more denote a diamond with a nitrogen deficiency (or near-complete);
The “Golconda” material is also same as a referred to as “2A”.
Many populars diamonds are believed to have been excavated from the golkonda mines, such as:
- Daria-e-Noor
- noor-ul-ain
- koh-e-noor
- Hope Diamond
- princess diamond
- regent diamond
- Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond
Don’t Miss : Buland Darwaza
By the 1880s, “Golconda” was being used by English speakers to refer to a particularly prosperous mine, and later to any source of great wealth.
During the Renaissance as well as contemporary eras, the name “Golconda” acquired a populars aura with became correspondent with immense wealth.
The mines brought wealth to the Qutb Shahis of Hyderabad State, who ruled Golconda until 1687, then to the Nizam of Hyderabad, who ruled after independence from the Mughal Empire in 1724 until 1924, when Hyderabad was Indian unified.
golconda fort
Golconda Fort is listed as an archaeological treasure by the Archaeological Survey of India on the official “List of Monuments” prepared under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.
Golconda is actually a 10 km (6.2 mi) long outer wall with 87 semicircular bastions (some still mounted with cannons), eight gateways and four separate forts with four drawbridges, several royal apartments and halls, There are temples, mosques.
Inside magazines, stables, etc. The least of these is the outer enclosure, into which we enter through the “Fateh Darwaza” (Victory Gate, called after Aurangzeb’s victorious army has entered through this gate) with huge iron spikes (to bring down the elephants). to prevent from). southeast corner.
Featuring an engineering marvel at Golconda, an acoustic effect can be experienced at Fateh Darwaza.
The clap of a hand at a certain point under the dome at the entrance and the ‘Bala Hisar’ can be clearly heard in the pavilion, the highest point about a kilometer away.
This served as a warning note to the Royals in case of an attack.
The entire Golconda Fort complex and its surrounding area is spread over 11 km (6.8 mi) of total area and exploring every nook and corner of it is a daunting task.
A visit to the fort reveals the architectural beauty of the many pavilions, gates, gateways and domes.
Divided into four district forts, the architectural valor still shines in each of the apartments, halls, temples, mosques and even the stables.
The beautiful gardens of the fort may lose their fragrance for which they were known 400 years ago, yet a walk through these former gardens should be on your itinerary while exploring the back alleys of Golconda Fort.
Bala Hisar Gate is the main entrance to the fort located on the eastern side.
It has a pointed arch bordered by rows of scroll work. Spandrels have yellows and decorated roundels.
In the area above the door there are peacocks with ornate tails adorned with ornate tails.
The granite block lintel below is a disc flanking yalis. The design of peacocks and lions is typical of Hindu architecture and underlines the Hindu origins of this fort.
The Toli Masjid, located in Caravan, about 2 km (1.2 mi) from Golconda Fort, was built in 1671 by Mir Musa Khan Mahaldar, the royal architect of Abdullah Qutb Shah.
The façade consists of five arches, each with a lotus medallion. The central arch is slightly wider and more ornate. The mosque inside is divided into two halls, a transverse outer hall and an inner hall entered through triple arches.
A lot of thought went into making this gate. There is a big wall a few feet in front of the gate. This prevented elephants and soldiers (during enemy attacks) from having a proper ramp to run and break through the gate.
The Golconda(golkonda) Fort is known for this is a best “magical acoustic system”. The highest point of the fort is “Bala Hisar”, which is located one kilometer away.
Palaces, factories, water supply system and the populars “Rahban” cannon are some of the major attractions within the fort.
It is believed that there is a secret tunnel that originates from the “Durbar Hall” and ends at one of the palaces located on one foot of the hill. The fort also houses the tombs of Qutb Shahi kings.
It is also believed that there was a secret tunnel leading to Charminar.
Two separate pavilions on the exterior of Golconda are also major attractions of the fort.
It is built at a point which is quite rocky. The “Kala Mandir” meaning Black Temple is also located in the purna kill or fort.
It can be seen from Raja’s Darbar (King’s Court), which was on top of Golconda Fort.
Other buildings found inside the fort are:
Habshi Commons (Abyssian Arches), Ashlah Khana, Taramati Mosque, Ramdas Bandikhana, Camel Stable, Private Room (Kw), Mortuary Bath, Nagina Bagh, Ramsasa’s Kotha, Durbar Hall, Amber Khan etc.
This majestic structure has beautiful palaces and a simple water supply system.
The ventilation of the fort is absolutely spectacular which has exotic designs. They were so intricately designed that cold air could reach the interiors of the fort, providing relief from the summer heat.
The huge gates of the fort are decorated with large pointed iron stones. These spiders prevented the elephants from harming the fort. The Golconda Fort is surrounded by an 11 km (6.8 mi) outer wall. It was built to strengthen the fort.
Golconda ruling dynasty
Several dynasties ruled over Golconda for years.
- Bahmani Sultan
- Kakatiya king
- Kamma Nayak
- Mughal Empire
- Qutb Shahi dynasty
Naya Quila (New Fort)
Naya Fort is an extension of the Golconda Fort, which was converted into the Hyderabad Golf Club despite resistance from farmers owned by land and various NGOs within the city.
The ramparts of the new fort begins with a residential area followed by several towers and the hutian’s “elephant-shaped tree” – an ancient baobab tree with a giant Goth.
It also includes a war mosque. These sites are restricted to the public because of the golf course.
Qutb Shahi Tomb
The tombs of the Qutb Shahi sultans are located about one kilometer north of the outer wall of Golconda.
These structures are made of beautifully carved stone, and are surrounded by gardens. Also They are free open to the lots of the public and receive many more this fort to visit all the visitors.
It is one of the populars places in Hyderabad.
UNESCO World Heritage
The Golconda Fort, and Hyderabad’s other Qutb Shahi dynasty monuments (Charminar, and Qutb Shahi Tomb) were submitted to UNESCO by the Permanent Delegation of India to World Heritage Sites in 2010. He is at present added new in the “Provisional List” country of India.
influenced
In popular culture
- Russell Conwell’s book Acres of Diamonds tells the story of the discovery of the Golconda mines.
- golkonda fort – René Magritte’s painting Golconda(golkonda) was named after the gandikota city.
- John Keats’s opening poem “On Obtaining a Curious Shell” opens with the lines: “Soon from the caves of Golconda, a gem / Pure as a drop of snow that freezes on the mountain?”
- Classical Russian ballet, referenced in La Bayadere
- The “Sea of Flames” refers to the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel All Light We Not Golconda Mines by Anthony Dore as a diamond discovery site
Located in the name of Golconda
A city in Illinois, USA, is named after Golconda.
A city in Nevada, United States, is named after Golconda.
A village located in the southern part of Trinidad gave its name to a prosperous land that was once a sugarcane estate in the 19th century.
Presently, the descendants of most East Indian indentured servants occupy the village of Golconda.
Golconda Fort – Weather, Timings and Entry Fee
Weather : 27° C
Timings : 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Entry Fee : Indians: INR 5,
Foreign Tourists: INR 100
Time Required : 3-4 hrs
Camera charge – Rs.25
Sound and Light Show – Rs 130
Nearest Hotels in golconda fort–
- Aditya Hometel
- Aditya Park
- GreenPark Hyderabad
- Holiday Inn Express Hyderabad Banjara Hills
- Holiday Inn Express Hyderabad HITEC City
- Hotel Mint Ebony
- Marigold By Greenpark
- OYO 983 Hotel Surya Residency
- Park Hyatt Hyderabad
- Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Hyderabad Banjara Hills
Golconda Fort – How to Reach?
Hyderabad to Warangal
- By air – 132km
- By rail – 136km
- By road – 147km
Hyderabad to Nizamabad
- By air – 144km
- By rail – 160km
- By road – 170km
Hyderabad to Vijayawada
- By air – 250km
- By rail – 352km
- By road – 283km
Hyderabad to Nagpur
- By air – 423km
- By rail – 584km
- By road – 510km
Hyderabad to Mumbai
- By air – 617km
- By rail – 736km
- By road – 706km
Hyderabad to Pune
- By air – 504km
- By rail – 597km
- By road – 547km
Golconda Fort Interesting Facts
1. 425 years old tree is still there –
An African baobab tree, which was also known by the local people as Hatiyan ka Jhad, this tree comes in the new fort complex. This tree is 425 years old. It is said that Arabian traders gifted it to Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah.
2. absolutely it was a brick Golconda(golkonda) fort which was later stretch –
The Golconda(golkonda) Fort was really built by the Kakatiya rulers in the 13th century. Earlier it was only a brick fort and later it was stretch.
3. World famous diamond –
The Darya-i-Noor, Noor-ul-Ain Diamond, Kohinoor, Asha’s Diamond and Regent’s Diamond were with the Sultan of Golconda before leaving India.
4. Ancient madman saved the city by –
Once upon a time, there was a madman, Majjub, who lived behind the Fateh Darwaza and guarded it. When Aurangzeb was preparing to enter the fort, he could never attack while this madman was there. Only an officer of the Mughal army had asked him to leave the place so that Aurangzeb could attack the fort.
5. Tali Maro Miyan –
You can easily hear the clap played at the entrance of the fort in the Bala Hisar Theatre, which is the topmost part of the fort. It signifies two things – either the intruder has come in, or an emergency has occurred. It was also used so that the people of the royal family could know about the upcoming guests.
6. Mahakali temple is built on the topmost part of the fort –
The Sri Jagadamba Mahakali temple was built on the topmost part of the fort. King Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah was very famous among Hindus, Hindus also called him by the name of Malkabhiram.
7. This has inspired many films like Shri Ramdasu –
Ram Das was a revenue officer who was imprisoned by Abul Hasan Tanah Shah. Because he had misused the money to build the Badrachalam Shri Ram temple. It is said that Lord Ram had come in Tanah Shah’s dream and he had also compensated for the money he had drowned in order to rescue Ram Dasu.
8. Mysterious tunnel and exit –
It is said that there is a mysterious tunnel in this fort which starts from the Durbar Hall and leads outwards through the lowest part of the fort. In fact, this tunnel was used by the people of the royal family to go out in times of emergency, but this tunnel has never been seen in the present.
9. Voice and Light Show –
The beautiful sound and light show here is the main point of attraction for the visitors. Through this, the stories of the kings, love and history are told. This scene is a must watch!!!
10. This fort has inspired three places with similar names in USA, first Arizona, second Illinois and third Nevada –
The mining town is also in Golconda fort, Arizona and is today a ghost town, named after the Golconda Fort.
There is also a place named Sarahsville in Illinois, which was renamed Golconda on January 24, 1817, which is said to have been inspired by the ancient city of Golconda. The third Golconda city is in Nevada.
FAQ – golconda fort
Q. What are the holes made in Golconda Fort?
A .for diamond mine
Q.Where is Golconda Fort / Where is Golconda Fort?
A .Hyderabad, Telangana
Q .Golconda Fort is in which state / Golconda is in which state?
A .Telangana
Q. Which dynasty built the Golconda Fort?
A.Kakatiya Dynasty
Q. What is the scientific reason for sound communication in Golconda Fort?
A.Fort Composition