Golconda Fort
What captivated me most throughout the trip to Hyderabad was the Golconda Fort.It has its name from the Telugu words Golla meaning shepherd and Konda meaning hill.It initially served as a grazing area for sheep. The hill was once a territory of the Kakatiyas of Warangal.They constructed a small mud fort in Golconda and handed it over to the Bahmani kingdom in A.D 1363.The fort then came to be known as Mohammednagar.Later in the 16th century,the Qutb Shahi dynasty took control of Golconda and it was the first 3 kings of the dynasty who constructed the fort in a period of 62 years.It then served as the capital.
Built completely on granite without any foundation,I think it is worth being a world heritage site.Its acoustic properties,water canals and systems and security measures will no doubt take any 21st century man in for a surprise!The entire buildings that includes the the palace had no doors except for the giant door in the Balahisar entry point(main entrance).Near the entrance if you clap you hands audibly,it will be heard in the durbar hall that is probably a kilometer away situated on top of a hill.This was used to signal to the king the arrival of enemies or friends or rulers of other kingdoms.There are similar properties in other parts of the palace as well.
Climbing the 300 plus steps to the Durbar hall or the Baradari was a tedious job but what awaited us was breathtaking.You could see the entire Hyderabad looking at you in all its grace and beauty.It indeed was worth watching.
The Golconda was where the majestic Koh-e-noor diamond(the light of the mountain) that adorns the British crown,was made.We were shown the place where it had been kept during the golden ages of Hyderabad.It was then handed over to the Mughal emperor Shah jahan.The diamond travelled to Persia and then to Punjab in the hands of Maharajah Ranjit Singh in 1852.His son then handed it over to Queen Victoria and still remains in British control.
The fort was destroyed by Aurangazeb in the 17th century when he extended his empire.It is the remains that stand still as an embodiment of time.Next to the fort are the tombs of the 7 kings of the Qutb Shahi dynasty.However our guide told us that the tomb of Abul Hasan Tana Shah,the last ruler is empty as it was during his time that the fort was conquered by Aurangazeb.So he fled to Daulatabad and was buried there.
I think I can go any number of times to this majestic fort that speaks of success,failures and technology in the 16th century.It is one place that I would have regretted not visiting.I bet you wouldn't too!
Built completely on granite without any foundation,I think it is worth being a world heritage site.Its acoustic properties,water canals and systems and security measures will no doubt take any 21st century man in for a surprise!The entire buildings that includes the the palace had no doors except for the giant door in the Balahisar entry point(main entrance).Near the entrance if you clap you hands audibly,it will be heard in the durbar hall that is probably a kilometer away situated on top of a hill.This was used to signal to the king the arrival of enemies or friends or rulers of other kingdoms.There are similar properties in other parts of the palace as well.
Climbing the 300 plus steps to the Durbar hall or the Baradari was a tedious job but what awaited us was breathtaking.You could see the entire Hyderabad looking at you in all its grace and beauty.It indeed was worth watching.
The Golconda was where the majestic Koh-e-noor diamond(the light of the mountain) that adorns the British crown,was made.We were shown the place where it had been kept during the golden ages of Hyderabad.It was then handed over to the Mughal emperor Shah jahan.The diamond travelled to Persia and then to Punjab in the hands of Maharajah Ranjit Singh in 1852.His son then handed it over to Queen Victoria and still remains in British control.
The fort was destroyed by Aurangazeb in the 17th century when he extended his empire.It is the remains that stand still as an embodiment of time.Next to the fort are the tombs of the 7 kings of the Qutb Shahi dynasty.However our guide told us that the tomb of Abul Hasan Tana Shah,the last ruler is empty as it was during his time that the fort was conquered by Aurangazeb.So he fled to Daulatabad and was buried there.
I think I can go any number of times to this majestic fort that speaks of success,failures and technology in the 16th century.It is one place that I would have regretted not visiting.I bet you wouldn't too!
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