Golconda Fort

Golconda Fort is one of the best-preserved historical sites in the area. It is in the western part of the beautiful city of Hyderabad, about 9 km from Hussain Sagar Lake. The 1600s saw the completion of the building of this fort, which is said to be where the famous Koh-I-Noor diamond was once kept. People say that if you clap your hands at the base of the fort, you can hear them all the way up to the top! Golconda Fort is one of the must visit places in Hyderabad because of its intriguing design, legends, history, and sense of mystery.

Historical Significance of Golconda Fort

Stories say that a hunter found an idol in the area now known as Golconda Fort. Soon after, the Kakatiyan king heard the news and told his people to build a mud fort around the figure. People called the fort "Golla Konda," which in Telugu means "Shepherd's Hill."

The Kakatiya Dynasty built the Golconda Fort in 1143. After Quli Qutub Shah declared his independence from the Bahmani Sultanate in 1518, it became famous under the Qutub Shahi Dynasty. Since then, the remarkable fort has grown from a mud fortification to a towering behemoth with a 10-kilometre wall. After a nine-month siege, Mughal emperor Aurangzeb finally breached the fort in 1687 after a failed assault in 1686.

Architecture at Golconda Fort

Built on a 400-foot hill with a 7-km diameter, Golconda Fort is a stunning Hindu-Islamic complex. Its wall has eight gates and 87 50-60-foot bastions. Three strong fortress walls are within each other. The first line of the wall contains the town, and the second line is a double wall encircling Citadel Hill. Masonry and natural boulders form the third line up the hill within the second. Queens, princesses, and retainers live near the fortress.

The stunning fort is known for its royal rooms, parade grounds, halls, and mosques. The main gate of the eight gates is Fateh Darwaza, where King Aurangzeb marched triumphantly. This 13-foot-wide, 25-foot-long door has steel spikes to deter elephants. Another beautiful Nawabi-style building is the Balahisar Darwaza. Today, only the eastern gate is open to tourists. On a height, Golconda Fort offers great airflow, making summers easier for the royals.

Must-See Spots Within Golconda Fort

The amazing Fateh Darwaza, the sound-and-light show, and the old Bala Hissar Pavilion are just a few of the must-see historical sites at Golkonda Fort. Include this grand fort in your Hyderabad tour package to see its one-of-a-kind acoustic architecture and the stunning views of the sunset from the top.

Best Time to visit

The best season to visit Hyderabad is September to March when the weather is mild and pleasant. If the weather is nice, Golconda Fort can be visited at night for a sound and light spectacular.