Golkonda Fort
Golkonda, a ruined city of south-central India and capital of ancient Kingdom of Golkonda (c. 1364–1512), is situated 11 km west of Hyderabad. According to a legend, the fort derives its name from Golla Konda, which is a Telugu word for Shepherd’s Hill. It is believed that a shepherd boy came across an idol on the hill. This led to the construction of a mud fort by the then Kakatiya dynasty ruler of the kingdom around the site.
The city and fortress are built on a granite hill that is 120 meters (400 ft) high and is surrounded by massive crenelated ramparts. The beginnings of the fort date to 1143, when the Hindu Kakatiya dynasty ruled the area. The Kakatiya dynasty were followed by the state of Warangal, which was later conquered by the Islamic Bahmani Sultanat. The fort became the capital of a major province in the Sultanate and after its collapse the capital of the Qutb Shahi kings. The fort finally fell into ruins after a siege and its fall to Mughal emperor Aurangazeb.
Looking back up at the fort from the palace grounds you can see why it was such a good defensive position. Like so many similar stories, the fort held out strong under siege for years, breaking more than one army, until a trusted commander betrayed them and opened the gates. And as all these stories go, of course that turncoat was rewarded for his services to the triumphant Mughals by execution since they weren't about to trust him either.
On the other side of the fort, the foundations of the large palace are all that remains. Much of the fort and all of its walls are in remarkably good shape, but when the Mughal army took the fort, they looted, destroyed and burned the 3-story palace to the ground.
So inside the palace and the fort were acustic wonders. The walls were made such that any whisper in the centre of the room can be heard at the pillars. Apparently it was also made such that anything whispered in any of the guestrooms could be heard in the King's bedchamber, allowing him to eavesdrop on any potential plots against him. As our guide explained it, he was a very clever man. And very paranoid. He probably had cause.
The army barracks down in the base of Golconda Fort
I had to walk up about a bazillion stairs to the get to the fortress heights. I sure got a work out!
beautifully carved stone scenes are now a worshiped spot deep inside Golconda Fort in what once was a prison chamber.
