Golconda Fort - Andhra Pradesh
Visiting a place like Andhra Pradesh which is naturally, ecologically, culturally and religiously significant is a great idea to enrich your travel experience. Nicknamed as the 'Kohinoor of India', Andhra Pradesh fascinates you with its rich culture, glorious history, mesmerizing beauty and amazing architecture. The misty hill stations, tranquil beaches, national parks, sanctuaries, sparkling rivers, milky white waterfalls, magnificent palaces, monuments, memorials, tombs etc form the captivating aspects to plan a tour to Andhra Pradesh.
The State of Andhra Pradesh houses a lot of historically remarkable monuments. The Golconda Fort is one such monument that adds to the pride of the state. It is situated in Hyderabad which is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh.
It takes one back to the 12th century AD when it was first constructed by the Kakatiya dynasty. The Golconda Fort has witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties from the Kakatiyas to Munusuri Nayaks, Bahamani Sultans and then to Qutub Shahi dynasty.
Golconda Fort is an absolute retreat for those history buffs and architecture enthusiasts who are craving to visit such places. The incredible acoustic effects of the Fort is so surprising.
The sturdy gateways, colossal mud walls, cannons, drawbridges, temples, mosques and the royal palaces inside the Fort shows the outstanding craftsmanship of the bygone era.
The light and sound show held in the evening is the major highlight which gives you an insight into the amazing history of Golconda.
Major Attractions:
Golconda Fort is full of unique attractions which are breathtaking to gaze at.
The main gate to the Golconda Fort known as the Fateh Darwaza or the Victory Gate forms the first attraction which was built to keep alive the memory of the victorious march of Mughal Emperor Aurungzeb.
The Nawabi style Bala Hissar Darwaza is the other gate of Golconda Fort which was used to inform the residents of the fort about the danger through clapping hands which could be heard to the top of the fort.
Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah Mosque, Taramati Mosque, Sri Jagdamba Mahakali Temple, Rama Temple, and Yellamma Devi Temple are the other attractions of Golconda Fort. You can also find the ruins of the royal palaces inside this Fort.
Golconda Fort houses an 800-year-old tree.
The secret underground passage that opens to the "Durbar Hall" and ends in one of the palaces at the foothill, the narrow entry gate of the Fort, and the cannon placed at the entrance of the fort to pour hot oil on enemies shows how the Fort protect itself from the enemies attack.
The brilliant brains behind the water tank mechanism of the Fort which was used to cool the hot winds during summer need great applause.
Speciality Of The Place:
The word Golconda is derived from the Telugu word "Golla Konda", meaning "Shepherd's Hills".
The acoustic effects form the major speciality of the Golconda Fort. That means if you clap your hands at Fateh Darwaza, its sound can be heard clearly at ‘Bala Hissar’ which is the highest point situated about 1 km away from Golconda Fort.
Golconda Fort was built by the ruler of Kakatiya dynasty and is made up of mud.
Golconda Fort served as an important centre for flourishing diamond trade including the world famous Koh-I-Noor, the Hope Diamond, Nassak Diamond and the Noor-ul-Ain.
Best Time To Visit:
October to March.
Way to Reach:
By Air - Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad is the nearest airport to Golconda Fort which is situated at a distance of 26.3 Km.
By Rail - Hyderabad Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Golconda Fort which is situated at a distance of 10.2 Km.
By Road - Golconda Bus Station is the nearest bus station to Golconda Fort which is situated just 130 meters away.