One of the most important and interesting visiting place of Hyderabad is The Golkonda fort.
If you are visiting Hyderabad you just cannot miss this fort. This fort is considered world heritage under UNESCO.
This place is famous "The beginning of Diamonds". The Kohinoor was found in this place other than this Golkonda has witnessed many historical movement. Golkonda, also known as Golconda, Gol konda ("Round shaped hill"), or Golla konda, (Shepherd's Hill) is a citadel and fort in Southern India and was the capital of the medieval sultanate of the Qutb Shahi dynasty (c.1518–1687), is situated 11 km (6.8 mi) west of Hyderabad.
As we entered the fort we got thrilled by its amazing beauty. It's structure made different from other forts. It is unique. Golkonda was a city in past. It has 4 main gates before entering the city these gates still remains the same. As we entered the fort the first thing we did was hired a tour guide that is a must. Else Golkonda will remain difficult to understand and mysterious to you. Seeing the outer structure of the fort you will easily know the destruction Golkonda has seen. The main door has a special architecture. One more interesting thing about this fort is, If you clap at the main door the sound and echo can be heard and felt from the Nizam's darbar. This happens to be at the top of the hill. According to people this was created to prevent from enemy. The whole Golkonda region is surrounded by the Krishna river. Golkonda diamonds have been compared to water throughout history for their crystal clear, colorless quality.
This fort has a temple as well as a mosque. Before the Qutb Shahi dynasty it was under Hindu Kakatiya dynasty. This is when the hindu temple was build and it still remains same. When Qutb shahi dynasty started their ruling during that time the mosque had been built.
After 8 long years of fight this fell under the hand of Aurangzeb. Later Aurangzeb handed over it to his minister as present and then the NIZAM ruling had started.
We also saw the bandikhana of famous poet Ramdas. Inside the fort there are many water storage where they stored the rain water and drank that by purifying it.These water storage's were so secured that no enemy can mix up any poison.
There are more than 200 steps to reach the top of the fort from the main gate. The architecture inside the Golkonda fort makes it very interesting. The top building of the fort is called Baradari. There are many more such buldings Diwane-Aam, Diwane-Khaas, Taramati Mosque, Private Chambers, Darbar hall, etc. The rani mahal is huge building where the Queens and their maids stayed. The ventilation of the fort was so good that during the summer time cool breeze entered.
The place where the Nizam and his queens punished the one's found guilty was so well structured that the Nizam and his queen could see the person but the person at fault could not see the Nizam and his queen. This was structured so that they could not attack the Nizam.
All the architecture and the buildings of the Golkonda Fort was made so scientifically and intelligently that it amazed us but the unique architecture is now loosing his charm. Golkonda was one of the strongest and secured fort of India. We felt the vibes of history at each and every corner of the fort. The water supply system of the fort was magical. The Fort is covered by four tombs. There are several path ways which were used by the servants and royal family members individually. We also saw the pathways by which the queen and king used to travel to Darbar khana in their palanquins carried by their servants. Not only the fort but Golkonda is famous for it's diamond trading centre too. Golkonda gives us three most world famous diamond which are Kohinoor, Nassak diamond and Noor-ul-in diamond.
I love historical fiction because there's a literal truth, and there's an emotional truth, and what the fiction writer tries to create is that emotional truth.
-Jewell Parker Rhodes
The blog for Hyderabadi food will be a separate one. Until keep traveling.
THANK YOU- Medha & Aditi
Photography- Aditi