The 400-year-old majestic and imposing Golconda Fort was built by the Kakatiya dynasty in the 13th century.
Golconda fort is one of the most magnificent fortress complex in India which lies on the western outskirts around 11km from Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. This 400-year-old majestic and imposing Golconda Fort was built by the Kakatiya dynasty in the 13th century. It is also popularly known as "Shepherd`s Hill" or "Golla Konda", in Telugu. The fortress is built on a granite hill 120 metres high, surrounded by massive crenellated ramparts.
It is also considered as one of India`s most outstanding fortresses and it epitomizes the `Nawabi` culture and military architecture due to the bulk of the ruins of this fort that date from the time of the Qutub Shahi kings, who had ruled this area in the 16th and 17th century. The defenses of this fort were so strong that no known attack of the time could penetrate its strong fortifications. Though this fort in a state of shambles it yet continues to mystify everyone with its architecture and historical significance.
It is also considered as one of India`s most outstanding fortresses and it epitomizes the `Nawabi` culture and military architecture due to the bulk of the ruins of this fort that date from the time of the Qutub Shahi kings, who had ruled this area in the 16th and 17th century. The defenses of this fort were so strong that no known attack of the time could penetrate its strong fortifications. Though this fort in a state of shambles it yet continues to mystify everyone with its architecture and historical significance.
History
The history of Golconda Fort dates back to the early 13th century, when the Kakatiyas ruled this southeastern part of the country. A ruling Kakatiya king, got a mud fort constructed around an idol on a rocky hill, known as `Mangalavaram` and his descendents continued to follow this trend. Nearly 200 years later Bahamini rulers (1364) took possession of the fort. Still later, the Qutub Shahi dynasty took over and made Golconda its capital. From 1507 over a period of 62 years the first three Qutub Shahi kings expanded the mud fort, into a massive fort of granite. This extended around 5km in circumference, which has been a silent witness to many historic events.
By the 17th century, the 10-km long road from Golconda to outer Hyderabad was a fabulous market selling jewellery, diamonds, pearls and other gems, which were famous all over the world. It gave the world some of the best-known diamonds, including the `Kohinoor`. But the illustrious rule of the Qutub Shahis at Golconda ended in 1687, with the conquest of the fort by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who almost completely destroyed the fort and left it in a heap of pathetic ruins.
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