Golkonda fort, Location, Entry Fee, Timings, History, How to Reach. About Golkonda fort, Sound and Light Show, Architecture, Best time to visit, Where to Eat, Accommodation, How to Reach, Sound & Light Show Timings and Fees, Entry Fee & Timings, Important Structures.
About Golkonda fort
Location – Ibrahim Bagh, Hyderabad 500008, India
Lying to the west of Hyderabad city at a distance of 11 km, the historic Golkonda Fort derives its name from a Telugu word ‘Golla Konda’ which means Shepherd’s Hill. With its extensive and elevated fortifications it was a landmark that governed the destiny of the south. The fort originally belonged to the Kakatiyas of Warangal. This is testified by the over-door carvings and relief work in stucco consisting of lions, peacocks, griffins and lotus at the entrance of Balahisar. In AD1363 it was ceded to the Baihmanis. After their downfall in AD1518 it became the capital of the Qutb Shahi kings (AD 1518-1687). The fort was extended and substantially strengthened by these kings with massive fortification walls having bastions and battlements. Subsequently Aurangazeb annexed it to the Moghal Empire (AD 1687) during the reign of Abul Hasan Tana Shan, the last ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty and appointed Asaf Jah as the Subedar of the Deccan province. Asaf Jah declared independence in AD1713 as Nizam-ul-Mulk and the Nizams held sway over Hyderabad until AD 1948.
Golkonda fort, one of the most famous and the biggest fortress in the Deccan plateau, was built on a 400 ft. high hill. It has three lines of massive fortification walls one within the other and rise to a height of over 12 m. The outer most wall was provided with a deep moat all around covering a vast area of the town with a circumference of 7 km. It has 8 imposing gateways and is buttressed with 87 bastions rising to a height of 15 to 18 meters. Each of these bastions was surmounted by cannons of varying caliber rendering the fort impregnable and strong among the forts of the medieval Deccan.
After the outer wall it has also a double wall that runs around the foot of the hill on which the citadel stands. Within the double wall, winding further up the hill, connecting the natural boulders with masonry walls is a third wall. An extension of the outer wall was made to enclose a small area on the northeast of the town in 1724 AD, which is now known as Naya Qila. The well-planned township of Golconda located within the fort was one of the splendid cities famous during the medieval world for its extensive trade in gems and diamonds as attested to by foreigners like Marco Polo, an Italian traveler. The fort has a striking appearance and its higher area is covered with the remains of armories, magazines, mosques, granaries, reservoirs and audience chambers; while at the foot of the citadel are nestled the dwellings of the queens and princesses and homesteads of their retainers.
The fort has an ingeniously evolved water supply system. The water raised by Persian wheels was stored in overhead tanks at different levels. Water thus collected was effectively distributed to various mahals, other apartments, roof gardens and fountains in the citadel through stone aqueducts and a network of earthen pipes by sheer force of gravity.
Important Structures
The important structures inside the citadel or balahissar are the imposing Silai Khana ( a three-storied Aslah Khana – armoury building), Nagina bagh, guard lines, Akkanna-Madanna Offices, Ramdas Jail, Darbar hall, ruins of Ambar khana, Baradari on the summit, an inner cordon wall, and aMasjid raised by Ibrahim Qutub Shah (1550-1580 AD). The east gateway is the only entrance to the citadel and it is one of the biggest gates in the entire fort.
Signalling Device (Acoustic property): – A remarkable signaling device had been incorporated in the construction of Golconda Fort. The various edifices are so placed as to transmit sound to different far away points. If one stands at the center of the entrance portal and claps the sound is deflected by the opposite building, which is constructed at an angle to the entrance. Similarly if clapping sound is made from the opposite building, it will be carried to the hilltop, although at the other close points it may not be heard. It is believed that this was deliberately contrived to convey a message to the guards posted on the roof of darbar hall regarding the visiting dignitaries.
The other buildings found inside the fort are Habshi Kamans (Abyssian arches), Ashlah Khana, Taramati mosque,camel stable, private chambers (kilwat), Mortuary bath, Nagina bagh, Ramasasa’s kotha, Durbar hall, Ambar khana etc.
History
As per legends, an idol was found in the area (now known as Golkonda Fort) by a shepherd. Soon after, Kakatiyan king was informed about the same, and he gave the order to build a mud fort around the idol. The fort came to be known as “GollaKonda” which meant Shepherd’s hill in Telugu.
The Golkonda fort was erected in the year 1143 under the Kakatiya Dynasty. However, it rose to prominence when it came under the rule of Qutub Shahi Dynasty during the 16th century, i.e. when Quli Qutub Shah declared his independence from the Bahmani Sultanate in 1518. The striking fort since then expanded from a mud fortress to a lofty structure to having a 10 km outer wall. After a failed attempt in the year 1686, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was finally able to breach the impregnable fort in 1687 after a long nine-month siege.
Entry Fee & Timings
15 per person for Indians
200 per person for Foreign Tourists
25 for Still Camera
130 for Sound & Light Show
Timing – 9.00 AM to 5.30 PM
Golkonda Fort Sound and Light Show
Golkonda Fort is one of the most famous landmarks of the city of Hyderabad. Its ancient remains differentiate it from the rest of the tourist attractions and enhance its beauty. It is organized in the ruins of the Rani Mahal section of the fort.
Golconda Fort Sound & Light Show Fee
140 per Adult in Executive Class
110 per Child in Executive Class
80 per Adult in Normal Class
60 per Child in Normal Class
Sound & Light Show Timings
1st Show English (All Days)
2nd Show in Telugu on Monday, Wednesday & Friday,
2nd Show in Hindi on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday.
Show Timings (Nov to Feb): 1st Show 6:30pm 2nd Show 7.45pm
Show Timings (Mar to Oct): 1st Show 7:00pm 2nd Show 8.15pm.
Note: Sound & Light Show Ticket counter at Golconda Fort is open from 5:30 PM
Architecture
Golkonda Fort is a grand structure built on a hill of altitude 400 feet with a circumference of 7 km displaying the beautiful fusion of Hindu-Islamic style of architecture. Its wall comprises of 8 gates and 87 bastions each one reaching the height of 50-60 feet. There are three powerful consecutive fortification walls each within the other. The first line of the wall contains town, the second line is a double wall that runs around the foot of the hill on which the citadel stands. The third line is further up the hill lying within the second comprised of masonry and natural boulders. Situated with the fortress are the dwellings of the queens and princesses and homesteads of their retainers.
The dazzling fort is quite famous for its royal apartments, parade grounds, numerous halls and mosques. Amongst the eight gates, Fateh Darwaza is the main gate as the victorious march of King Aurangzeb proceeded through it. This door is 13ft wide and 25ft long and was made up of steel spikes to protect it from elephants. The Balahisar Darwaza which was built using the Nawabi style and culture is another magnificent structure. Today, only the eastern gate can be visited by the tourists. The Golkonda fort is situated on a hilltop and has superb airing which is what made life simpler for the royals during summers.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the city of Hyderabad is during the months extending from September to March as the climate is moderate at that time and quite enjoyable as well. Golconda Fort can be visited during the evening hours when the weather is pleasant and some sound and light show can be enjoyed.
How to Reach
Since the local transportation system of the city is quite good, it connects the various parts of the city and makes the travel pretty much convenient. The Fort is situated at a distance of 9 km from Hussain Sagar Lake and can be reached either via car, through a bus or through the auto-rickshaws running in the city.
Where to Eat
Telangana Tourism operates a world-class restaurant at Taramati Baradari resorts close by. There are other budget hotels and high-end restaurants owned by private operators.
Accommodation
Telangana Tourism operates Plaza Hotel in Begumpet, Located at distance of 11.8kms from Golconda Fort is a comfortable stay. The Plaza hotel here is ideal for tourists visiting destinations in and around Hyderabad. There are standard and deluxe A/C rooms and the interiors are world-class, designed aesthetically to attract tourists. The rooms of the hotel are well-maintained, the environs look pleasing and this hotel is built in signature style in the midst of the city. There is also an attached restaurant here offering quality food for the visitors at specified timings. A prominent hotel of Telangana tourism, Plaza Hotel has well-laid tiles while the woodwork of suites indicate world-class construction, thereby creating a landmark hotel of the tourism department.
Haritha Taramathi baradari resort is located at a distance of 4.3kms from Golconda Fort ,is an attractive destination in Hyderabad. The resort has an Open Air Auditorium, which is ideal for corporate gatherings and private events. It also has an Air Cooled Theatre and Banquet Hall that are a perfect fit for special events, conferences and exhibitions. It comes with an attached pantry, a multi – cuisine A/C restaurant and a 50 PAX A/c Bar(saqi) for spending some quality time.The resort also has a souvenir shop and swimming pool that comes with a modern health club with best facilities for fitness and leisure. There are A/C suites and A/C rooms that can be an ideal way to enjoy luxury in the vicinity of a prominent monument. Spending time close to a heritage destination with best accommodation and quality food, with all trappings of a resort has never been this wonderful!
Official Phone number
040-23512401
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