During your stay at hotels in Hyderabad, you should definitely take the time to check out the nearby Golkonda Fort. Thought to go back as far as 1143, the fort is both an excellent example of the military history of the region, and a magnificent feat of architecture and engineering.
The fort has a long and rich history. First built by the Kakatiyas for defence, it became the seat of the Qutub Shahi rulers in the 16th century, who expanded it from a mud structure to the massive fort of granite, the ruins of which remain today. The fort also contains the tombs of the Qutub Shahi kings, worth a visit as much for their fine Islamic architecture as their historic importance.
The region is also famous for its mines, which have produced some of the worlds most well known and lusted after gems, including the Kohinoor and the Hope Diamond. Both of these were also once stored in a vault in the fort, amongst other diamonds of immense value.
The site itself consists of four distinct forts, and also includes eight gateways, four drawbridges, and examples of royal halls and apartments, temples, mosques, stables and more. All are stunning examples of a blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture, with ornate scroll work, exquisite ornamentation and fine sculptures. Not just beautiful, you can also see why the fort was so successful for defence, as the main entrance at the ‘Fateh Darwaza’ (Victory gate) is studded with impressive iron spikes, designed to keep elephants from battering down the doors.
The total area of the fort and its surrounding structures stretches across an astounding 11 km , so we recommend leaving plenty of time to enjoy the site, and also taking advantage of the guided tours. Some of the major attractions are the palaces and factories, along with the famous ‘Rahban’ cannon. The two pavilions on the outer side of the fort are also worth having a look around if you have the time.
As well as being simply beautiful and a site of rich cultural history, the fort will also amaze you with its technological achievements. It has a revolutionary water supply system, along with an ingenious ventilation design that allowed cool breezes to reach the interiors of the fort. The fort is also considered an architectural wonder thanks in particular to its acoustics. If you clap your hands at a particular point below the dome at the fort’s entrance, the sound reverberates in such a way that you can actually hear it at the highest point of the fort – the Bala Hisar pavilion almost 1 km away. This was also thought to be for defence purposes, so that the King could be warned of any impending attack.
The fort is best visited in the later part of the day to avoid the heat, as looking around does involve quite a lot of walking. You should also make sure to take water with you and stay hydrated. If you go later on you will also get to see how fantastic the fort looks at sunset, along with enjoying the sound and light shows that are performed there in the evening.
Image by jmcgross
