Golconda Fort (Hyderabad) Timings, History, Images, Best time

"The Untouched Grandeur of India"

Golconda Fort, Hyderabad Overview

Situated in the Western part of the beautiful city of Hyderabad at a distance of approximately 9 km from Hussain Sagar Lake, Golconda Fort is one of the region's best-preserved monuments. The construction of this fort was completed in the 1600s and it is reputed for being the area where once, the mighty Koh-I-Noor diamond was stored. It is said that if you clap your hands at the bottom of the fort, the echoes of it can be heard right to the top! The architecture, the legends, the history, and the mystery of Golconda Fort add to its allure and make it one of the must-visit places in Hyderabad.

The mines here are known to produce some of the most coveted and popular gems ever known in the world such as Idol's Eye, the Hope Diamond, Darya-i-noor and the famous Koo-i-noor.

In the evening, Golconda Fort comes to life with the light and sound show which showcases snippets from its regal past. The grandeur, the rise, and the fall of the fort are all spectacular in their own right. With its fascinating history, the place is definitely worth a visit.

1. Golconda Fort Sound and Light Show

The Sound and Light Show at Golconda Fort vividly narrates the fort's rich history, bringing to life the tales of its grandeur and legendary rulers. Held in the fort's lush open-air surroundings, the (Read More)show uses dramatic lighting and captivating storytelling, creating an immersive experience for visitors.

Read More on Golconda Fort

Golconda Fort History

As per legends, an idol was found in the area (now known as Golconda 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 "Golla Konda" which meant Shepherd's Hill in Telugu.

The Golconda 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.

Architecture of The Fort

Golconda 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 Golconda 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 Golconda Fort

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.

Tips

1. Carry water and eatables along with you while visiting the fort.
2. Do not litter around the place. Use a dustbin to throw garbage.
3. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes as there will be a lot of walking on foot.
4. Light and sound show is the highlight of the fort and should definitely not be missed out on.
5. It is advisable to take a guide in order to understand the uniqueness of this remarkable historic structure.

How To Reach Golconda Fort

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.

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Golconda Fort Reviews

Your rating

abhijit sreepada

on Golkonda Fort 6 years ago

I was steeped in curiosity at the many nooks and crannies that this fortified hill had to offer the first time I visited. Since the area explores an enormous amount of places to explore I’d recommend (Read More) sparing around 5 hours to explore the area well. The trek to the top of the hill where the baradari (urdu for 12 rooms) is, is lined with stone steps and I would recommend you wear sturdy footwear and carry water. Lying at a high vantage point, it offers beautiful views of Hyderabad and the sunset from here is heavenly, making the trek up worthwhile.