Travel Destinations » Golconda Hyderabad

Golconda Fort was the legendary capital of the Qutb Shahi kings, famous for their pomp, power and the Golconda mines, which yielded diamonds as fabulous as the Kohinoor. The founder of the dynasty was Quh Qutb, a Turkoman trader in horses who rose to be governor of Telangana under the last Bahaman ruler. Quh Qutb declared himself the independent ruler of Golconda in 1543. It took the first three rulers 62 years to build a splendid city and an impregnable fort on what used to be a mud fort built by a Kakatiya ruler.

During its heyday, specially during the enlightened reign of Ibrahim Quh Qutb, Quli’s younger son, emissaries, men of letters, merchants and artisans from Persia, Turkey and Arabia visited Golconda. But fame also provoked envy, and the most covetous eyes were cast by Glimpses of Golconda

Emperor Aurangzeb during the seventeenth century. Finally, icing an eight-month battle, it was beachery that led to Golconda’s defeat A Qutb Shahi officer opened tiro one gate among the eight that led tD the Bala Hisar or citadel and Idughal forces led by Prince Azam emKperred the fort. Since then, the pa be has been known as Fateh Durwaza.

Entering through the Fateh Darwaza, screened off by a zig-zag road, we arrive at the Bala Hisar gateway. Protected by troops stationed in its turret, we can yet see the opening from which they could pour hot oil on the enemy. The wooden gates are fortified with iron spokes which could batter any elephant.

Dr Bhushan beckons us towards the central dome of the arched hallway to point out a marvellous system of acoustics. With a clap he demonstrates how vibrations set up, now, as then, echo to the uppermost point of the fort. And yet, the clap cannot be heard a few feet away from where we stand.

To our right are administrative offices and the Nagina gardens where princes played. To our left, the Silakhana or armoury is the only intact building in the fort. The imperial courtyard, queens’ chambers and seraglio lie within; and we can see niches in the walls, once adorned by paintings, mirrors and candlelight.

An exhausting climb of 360 steps takes a circuitous route to the Baradari past Ramdas Jail, Ambarkhana, Ibrahim Masjid and Mahakali temple. Interesting tales are woven around them. The Ramdas cell, for instance, was where the tehsildar of Bhadrachalam was imprisoned because he used up royal funds intended for charity. The’ story goes that he made a clay idol of Rama in the cell, and Rama came in disguise and made good the funds.