About

Golconda fort was initially built on top of a hill as a mud fort. It was fortified between the 14th and 16th centuries, first by the Bahamani Sultans and then subsequently by the Qutub Shahi rulers.
The fort is massive, with the imposing advantage of being a hill fort. It makes up with its sheer size and solidity what it lacks in terms of opulence and ornamentation. The fort is largely made with granite stones. It has a three-tiered fortification, and a citadel which rises high above the rest of the fort and the city surrounding the fort. Golconda consists of four distinct forts with a 10 km long outer wall with 87 semicircular bastions (some still mounted with cannons), eight gateways, and four drawbridges. The other walled fortifications have a circumference of over 7km, and 5km. The fort walls rise to over 12m and are up to 3m thick in most places. The fort walls were originally topped by ornate crenallations, most of which are now lost.

The fort comprises ruins of palaces, mosques, a hill-top pavilion, an armoury, granaries, reservoirs, and other structures. The fort has provisions for mounted cannons, four draw-bridges, eight gateways, an arsenal, and a stable. The fort fell into disuse because finding water to support the population of the fort became a challenge.

There are eight important gates at the Golconda Fort - the Bala Hissar Darwaza, Fateh Darwaza, Banjara Darwaza,Moti Darwaza, Patancheru Darwaza, Mecca Darwaza,Yali Darwaza, The Bala Hissar Darwaza near the south-eastern corner, is the primary entrance to the fort today. It is studded with giant iron spikes. It has a pointed arch bordered by rows of scroll work. The spandrels have yalis and decorated roundels. The area above the door has peacocks with ornate tails flanking an ornamental arched niche. The granite block lintel below has sculpted yalis flanking a disc.
The Fateh Darwaza is the gate through which Emperor Aurangzeb's forces entered the fort. it was opened by bribing a Qutub Shahi official Abdullah Khan Panni.The gate is on the south through which one can enter the fort. This gateway is 13 feet wide and 25 feet high It has iron sheets with spikes stuck on its teak doors.

The Baradari is the building which occupies the top-most point of the fort. It's lower storey is the Diwan-e-Aam (the public audience hall), while the upper storey is the Diwan-e-Khas (or the audience hall of the nobles).

The Royal Quarters occupy the southern section of the fort. The royal palaces are arrayed around a courtyard with a beautiful fountain at its center. A gazebo which is roughly octagonal in shape stands at north-western corner of the courtyard. The pillars of the gazebo survive partly broken, but the roof has collapsed altogether. The royal palace, zanana mosque (for the women folk), the audience hall, tanks, and fountains together make up the royal quarters. These represent the peak of Qutub Shahi Architecture with decorative floral designs in stucco, glazed basalt stone veneers fitted with shell pieces.

There are two prominent mosques inside the fort - the Ibrahim Mosque which is closer to the summit, and the Taramati Mosque which is at the lowest level. The Taramati Mosque is the most ornate surviving structure in the fort. It has three arches, with the central one being larger than the other two, and steps leading to the roof through the two side minarets. It has a small platform of about six feet in breadth, supported by nine elegant arches. The Ibrahim mosque is much smaller, but has a commanding position on the hill overlooking the fort. It has two minarets and a roof with a low surrounding parapet with perforated jali work, and crenellated top. The eaves and corbels are elaborately carved.

There are two ancient temples in the fort - the Mahakali Temple, and the Jagadamba temple - the latter of which is the site of the celebrations during the bonalu festival every year.

The Nagina Bagh is a pleasure garden located to the north of the main entrance. This garden is laid out in typical style of mughal gardens, but is of a much smaller scale. It has a square layout divided into quadrants by paved pathways.

The Ramdas prison is another popular feature of the fort. It is a solidly built rectangular building with only one entrance on the northern side. Originally built as a store house, it was converted into a prison during the reign of Abul Hasan Qutub Tana Shah in the 1670s. Its most famous prisoner was Ramdas, the devotee of Rama, who was accused of misappropriating state funds to buy jewels for decorating the idols of his favourite Gods, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. He was later pardoned by the King.

The surviving parts of the Nagar khana or Town Hall where important guests were provided quarters are two imposing walls with decorative arches and niches. A wall that marks the western boundary of the Nagar Khana is similarly decorated by arches and niches, and is prefaced by a low platform.

The Mortuary Bath is built in the style of Persian and Turkish baths and was used for ceremonial bathing of the deceased members of the Royal Family. The bath is provided with cisterns for hot and cold water, supplied through an arrangement of concealed terra cotta conduits, plastered with lime mortar.

Architecture

The acoustics are designed to quickly alert the central command on top of the hill from the foyer at the entrance. Tourists and tour guides often use a handclap to demonstrate this feature of the fort.

Trivia

The name Golconda is said to be derived from the phrase 'govula konda' which means the hillock where cowherds graze their cattle.