Golconda Fort

Built by the Qutb Shahi dynasty (c. 1512–1687), Golconda Fort is a fortified citadel, located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Golconda emerged as a trade center of large diamonds, known as the Golconda Diamonds, because of the vicinity of diamond mines, especially the Kollur Mine. Including the blue Hope, the colorless Koh-i-Noor, the pink Daria-i-Noor, the white Regent, Nizam, and Jacob, as well as the now lost diamonds Florentine Yellow, Akbar Shah, and Great Mogul, the region has produced some of the world’s most famous diamonds.

Attraction

Along with other diamonds, the famous Koh-i-Noor and Hope diamonds were once stored in a vault of the Golconda Fort. For the diamonds found on the southeast at Kollur Mine near Kollur, Guntur district, Paritala, and Atkur in Krishna district, Golconda is renowned and cut in the city during the Kakatiya reign. India had the only known diamond mines in the world, at that time. For the diamond trade, the fortress city within the walls was famous. Its name has come to be associated with great wealth and has taken a communal meaning. To denote a diamond with a complete lack of nitrogen; Gemologists use this classification “Golconda” material is also referred to as “2A”. From the mines of Golconda, many famed diamonds are believed to have been excavated, such as:

The light and sound show is another feature that makes Golconda fort all the more attractive, presenting its history and facts. From 6 pm to 9.15 pm, are the timings of the sound and light show at Golconda Fort, depending on which month you are planning to visit. On Mondays, it is closed. One of the major attractions of the Golconda Fort is the Sound and light show. Bewitching its viewers every day in three different languages, English, Telugu, and Hindi, Organised in the area in and around Rani Mahal. On all days of the week, this show is conducted in English, while the show is in Telugu on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. With a voice-over of Bollywood living legend Amitabh Bachchan, the sound and light show in Hindi is conducted on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.

History

Golconda Fort

Shepherd’s Hill was the initial name of this fort. On this rocky hill, a shepherd boy came across an idol, according to legend. To the ruling Kakatiya king, who constructed a mud fort around this holy spot, the information was conveyed. Bahamani rulers took possession of the fort, after 200 years. Golconda slowly rose to prominence, under the Bahmani Sultanate. Sent by the Bahmanids as a governor at Golconda, Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk (r. 1487–1543), established the city as the seat of his government around 1501. During this period, Bahmani rule gradually weakened and established the Qutb Shahi dynasty based in Golconda, Sultan Quli formally became independent in 1538. By the first three Qutb Shahi sultans the mud fort was expanded into the present structure, over a period of 62 years, a massive fortification of granite extending around 5 km in circumference. Until 1590, it remained the capital of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, when the capital was shifted to Hyderabad. Whose 7 km outer wall enclosed the city, was expanded by the Qutb Shahis. A strong cotton-weaving industry existed in Golconda, during the early seventeenth century. For domestic and export consumption, large quantities of cotton were produced. High-quality plain or patterned cloth made of muslin and calico was produced. As a white or brown color, the plain cloth was available in a bleached or dyed variety. To Persia and European countries, this cloth was exported. After an eight-month-long siege led to its fall at the hands of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, in the year 1687, the fort finally fell into ruin.

Inside/Outside Views

Golconda Fort

On the official “List of Monuments” prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, Golconda Fort is listed as an archaeological treasure. Four drawbridges, with a number of royal apartments and halls, temples, mosques, magazines, stables, etc inside, and with a 10 km long outer wall with 87 semicircular bastions, some still mounted with cannons, eight gateways, Golconda consists of four distinct forts.

Entry & Others Fees

For Indians, 25 rs per person is needed to pay.
300rs is needed pay per person for Foreign Tourists.
If you are carrying a still Camera, you need to pay 25 rs for it.

Fee for Golconda Fort Sound & Light Show

In Executive Class,140 RS per Adult
In Executive Class,110 RS per Child
In Normal Class,80 RS per Adult
In Normal Class,60 RS per Child

How to Reach

BY AIR: The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad is the closest airport situated in Hyderabad. From the airport, you can hire a cab or taxi to the fort.

BY TRAIN: Like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, Hyderabad is well connected with all major cities of India, being the headquarter of South Central Railway. At Nampally and Kachiguda there are also railway stations. At Secunderabad railway station, trains leaving from these two stations can also be boarded.

BY ROAD: From the bus stand, regular services of state roadways and privately owned buses of the city are available. With important cities and states, roads are also well connected. To reach your desired destination, you can also hire rented cars or taxis.

FAQ

Que: Is this place safe to visit?

Ans: yes, the place is safe to visit.

Que: Is photography allowed in this place?

Ans: yes, photography is allowed here, but you need to pay a specific amount for different purposes of photoshoots or videography.

Que: What is the best time to visit the place?

Ans: you can visit the place anytime throughout the year. But from the months of September to March are more preferable to visit the Golconda fort.