Andhra Pradesh State - Hyderabad, Part II

Golkonda Fort

Tour date: 3rd June 2012, Sunday

Taken from the highest point @ the Palace!

I was on official trip to Delhi for a meeting with NHAI Authority and the Minister (RT&H) on 1st June 2012. I was scheduled to be back to Vijayawada on 5th June as there was a meeting that I have to attend in Hyderabad on 4th June. To occupy my lonely weekend in Hyderabad, I have booked Ravi, the office driver who was fetching me from the airport on 2nd June to accompany me on Sunday to Golkonda Fort. It was 5 months ago when I have done with my sightseeing in the City of Pearls. Golconda Fort, now being made famous for locals jogging track shall complete my tour list in Hyderabad, seated a bit outskirt from the city. Ravi said we had to start early, but early means short wait as they only open at 10am. It is recommended to wear a comfy walking shoes and a hat if 1 intend to cover all important places, a walk in here is really a challenging task :) 

The Palace on the highest point of the Fort.

Golkonda is a combination of 2 words 'Golla' and 'konda' carrying a meaning of shepherd's hill, a ruined city of South India and a capital of ancient Kingdom of Golkonda in 16th century situated 11km west of Hyderabad. The city was built by Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah Wali, the 4th king of Qutub Shahi Dynasty following the spirit of his ancestors. The Qutub Shahi kings first capital, the fortress citadel of Golkonda was rebuilt for defence from invading Mughals from the north. They laid out Golkonda's splendid monuments (now in ruins) and designated a perfect acoustical system by which a hand clap sounded at the fort's main gates, the grand portico, was heard at the top of the citadel, situated on a 300 foot high granite hill. The Muslim Sultanate ruled over most of present Andhra Pradesh before the British Raj.

But the 13th century Golkonda Fort was built by the Hindu Kakatiyas dynasty, established by a subordinate of Easthern Chalukyan monarch, Amma II in 10th century. Kakatiya's worship a goddess called Kakati. The city and fortress are built on a granite hill that is 120 metres high and is surrounded by battlement ramparts. Islamic Bahmani Sultanate conquered the fort from the dynasty which became the capital of Sultanate major province. Golkonda rose to its prominence as the seat of the Qutub Shahi dynasty after the collapse of Bahmani Sultanate. However, it finally fell into ruins after a siege and its fall to Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb in 1687. The fortress held out against Aurangzeb for 9 months, falling to the Mughals through treachery.

Golkonda consists of 4 distinct  forts with a 10 km long outer wall, 8 gateways, 4 drawbridges with a number of royal apartments and halls, temples, mosques, stables etc. inside the compound. The whole complex and its surrounding spreads across 11 km of total area. A visit to the fort reveals the architectural beauty in many of the pavilions, gates, entrances and domes. The graceful gardens of the fort may have lost their fragrances, for which they were known 400 years ago, yet a walk in these former garden should be in a schedule when exploring the past glories of the Golkonda Fort.

Water storage tank

Bala Hissar Gate is the main entrance to the fort located on the eastern side, It has a pointed arc bordered by rows of scroll work. The area above the door has peacocks with ornate tails flanking an ornamental arched niche. The granite block lintel below has sculptured yalis flanking a disc. The design of peacocks and lions is a blend of Hindu-Muslim architecture. A large wall was built in front of the gate to prevent elephants and enemy attacks from having having a proper ramp to run and break the gate. This is where the magical acoustic system were placed as a warning note. Besides Bala Hissar, palaces, factories, water supply system and the famous "Rahban" cannon, within the for are some of the major attractions.

Toli Masjid, situated at Karwan, about 2 km from the Golkonda Fort, was built in 1671 by Mir Musa Khan Mahaldar, royal architect of Abdullah Qutb Shah. The facade consists of 5 arches, each with lotus medallions in the spandrels.

The 2 individuals pavilions on the outer side of Golkonda are also major attractions of the fort. It is built on a point which is quite rocky. The "Kala Mandir" is also located in the fort. It can be seen from the king's court (durbar) which seated right on top. Beside the ingenious water supply system, the ventilation of the fort is absolutely having  a fabulous exotic designs. They were so intricately designed that cool breeze could reach the interiors of the fort, providing a respite from the heat of summer. 

It is believed that there is a secret underground tunnel that leads from the "Durbar Hall" which ends in 1 of the palaces at the foot of the hill. The fort also contains the tombs of the Qutub Shahi kings. These tombs have Islamic architecture and are located about 1 km north of the outer wall of Golkonda. They are encircled by beautiful garden and numerously exquisitely carved stones.

For those who wishes to visit Hyderabad, may consider places that I recorded in 2 parts of my visit in this blog. Rest assurred that you wont regret the tour in this beautiful city even on your own. Thanks for reading.