The Golconda Fort

THE GOLCONDA FORT

Picture Courtesy: Gunjan Pandey

More than 6 centuries old, spread along 11 kilometers, above 480 feet stands the age old Golconda Fort, a pride of ancient India with immense historical importance. It is situated 11 kilometers west of Hyderabad and is a ‘must visit’ place if you don't want to be filled with remorse later living with the fact that you missed the opportunity.

            Golconda Fort is also known as ‘Golkonda’ which means a ‘round shaped hill’ to what it is referred to because of it's natural infrastructure or ‘Golla konda’ which means a ‘shepherd's hill’. This historical structure was originally built by the ‘Kakatiyas’ and was then known as ‘Mankal’. Other Kings and rulers who helped shape this fort were Rani Rudrama Devi and her successor Pratapaparudra, the Musunuri Nayaks and the Bahamani Sultans in 1364. It is under the Bahamani sultanate that the city of Golkonda flourished. Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk (1487–1543), was sent as a governor of Telangana, and he established Golkonda as the seat of his government around 1501. Over a period of 62 years the city of Golkonda was at it's peak of prosperity and as every establishment has it's end in the mortal world, the fort finally fell into ruin in 1687 at the hands of the hands of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

        Some of the ruins of this magnificent structure are namely the Baradari Darbar Hall, the Ibrahim Mosque, the Taramathi mosque, the Rani Mahal, Rangeena Mahal, Murda gate, Zanana Mosque and the Dadmahal.

     Golkonda is also reknowned for it's resource in diamond mines. It is also said that the Koh-i-noor diamond which is still one of the largest diamonds in the world, was mined out of the rich resourceful land of this ancient city. Some other famed diamonds that have been excavated from the same mines are Daria-i-noor, Noor-ul-Ain, Hope diamond and the Wittelsbach-Graff diamond.

       Golkonda fort is also a display of ancient Indian architectural technology.The lowest level at the Golkonda is the outermost enclosure which is the entrance or "Fateh Darwaza" also called the ‘Victory gate’ after Aurangzeb’s triumphant army marched in through this gate, studded with giant iron spikes in order to prevent elephants from battering them down, near the south-eastern corner. Fateh Darwaza exhibits a fantastic acoustic effect, which is a characteristic of the engineering marvels at Golkonda. A hand clap at a certain point below the dome at the entrance reverberates and can be heard clearly at the 'Bala Hisar' or pavilion, the highest point almost a kilometre away. This worked as a warning note to the royals in case of an attack.

         The Queens’ chambers had no mirrors but was rather replaced with a water pit. It was believed that looking into the mirror repeatedly would increase dark spots on the skin of the Queens. Thus a water pit was used to look at the images. The ventilation of the fort is absolutely fabulous having exotic designs. They were so intricately designed that cool breeze could reach the interiors of the fort, providing a respite from the heat of summer.

          The Golconda fort and other sites surrounding areas were submitted by the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO in 2010 for consideration as World Heritage Sites. They are currently included on India's "tentative list".

Sadly, the unique architecture of the fort is now losing its charm. But it will always be in the books of history for it's contribution in the field of culture, technology and architectural planning.

-------- Cerullo Justin