Golconda 

Golconda Fort is more than a Fort and a little tiny city in itself. With huge iron gates, darbar hall, temple, mosques, graveyard, well, jail and gardens makes it a complete community. Golconda was once the capital and fortress city of Qutub Shahi kings and it was re-built by fourth Qutub king, Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah. Golconda was known for its perfectly designed acoustic system in which if one person hand clap at fort’s main gate, the resound of it was heard at citadel which is situated 300 foot (91 meters) high on the granite hill, which worked as a warning note to the royals in case of an attack. Golconda Fort is situated 11 km west from Hyderabad city.

Kakatiya kings originally laid the foundation of Golconda Fort during 13th century and the major part was done by Qutb Shahi kingdom during their regime in 16th century. According the legends it derives it names from Golla Konda which is a Telugu word for Shepherd’s hill. The shepherd boy came across one of the amazing idol on the hill and this led to construction of mud fort now known as Kali temple by Kakatiya dynasty on this site.

The fort is built on a granite hill which is 120 meters (400 feet) high and its surrounded by battlement ramparts. Since 1143 Hindu Kakatiya dynasty ruled the areas, were followed by Islamic Bahmani Sultanat and then Qutb Shahi kings as their capital. Finally the fort was fell into the hands of Aurangzeb the Mughal emperor. However it was Qutb Shahi kings who has developed this mud fort site to a massive 5 km circumference Golconda Fort. Qutb Shahi dynasty ruled it until 1590 when they shifted it to Hyderabad. A the highest point of the fort you can have the bird eye view of the Hyderabad city.

The Golconda fort has 10 km long outer wall with 87 semicircular bastions, eight gateways and four drawbridges. The entrance by ‘Fateh Darwaza’. The whole Golconda fort is spread in 11 km of total area and a visit to the whole fort provides you the architect beauty in many of the walls, pavilions, entrances and domes. Its divided into four district forts and the present gardens of the fort has lost its fragrance for which they were known 400 years ago. The main entrance of the fort is located on the eastern side through Bala Hissar Gate. The gate is decorated with roundels, yalis, peacocks and lions designs which is a blend of Hindu -Muslim architecture.

Its said that there is a secret tunnel built underground which leads to foot of the hill from the ‘Durbar Hall’ and also there is a secret tunnel which leads you til Charminar. This fort also has the tombs of Qutub Shahi kings.

The Golconda fort is open from 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM on all the days except Friday’s. The entry fees per head is Rs 5 per head and foreign tourists the fees is Rs 100 per head. A charge of Rs 25 is taken extra for videos inside the fort. There is a popular Sound & Light show held in English daily at 7 PM which depicts the glory of Golconda Fort. The voice of this show is provided by Amitabh Bachchan. Telugu version of it is played on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with Hindi versions on Tuesday, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.