CHAPPIDI ABHIRATH REDDY,
C/O COL GKS REDDY,
Golconda Fort
Introduction
Golconda, also known as Golkonda or Golla konda ("shepherd's hill"), a ruined fort of Southern India and capital of medieval Golconda Sultanate (c.1518–1687), is situated 11 km west of Hyderabad. It is also a mandal of Hyderabad District. The region is universally famous for the mines that have produced the world's most famous and coveted gems, including the Hope Diamond, The Eye of the Idol (aka the Nassak Diamond).
History
The Golconda fort was first built by Kakatiya as part of their western defenses. It was built in 945 CE-970 CE on the lines of the Kondapalli fort. The city and fortress are built on a granite hill that is 120 meters (400 ft) high and is surrounded by massivecrenelated ramparts. The fort was rebuilt and strengthened by Pratapa Rudra of Kakatiya dynasty. The fort was further strengthened by Musunuri Nayaks who overthrew the Tughlak army occupying Warangal. The fort was ceded by the Musunuri chief, Kapaya Nayaka to the Bahmanis as part of the treaty in 1364 AD. 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 emperorAurangazeb in 1687 AD.
After the collapse of the Bahmani Sultanate, Golkonda rose to prominence as the seat of the Qutb Shahi dynasty around 1507. Over a period of 62 years the mud fort was expanded by the first three Qutb Shahi kings into a massive fort of granite, extending around 5 km incircumference. It remained the capital of the Qutb Shahi dynasty until 1590 when the capital was shifted to Hyderabad. The Qutb Shahis expanded the fort, whose 7 km outer wall enclosed the city. The state became a focal point for Shia Islam in India, for instance, in the 17th century, Bahraini clerics, Sheikh Ja`far bin Kamal al-Din and Sheikh Salih Al-Karzakani both emigrated to Golkonda.
The Fort (Golconda)
Golkonda 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, with a number of royal apartments & halls, temples, mosques, magazines, stables, etc. inside. The lowest of these is the outermost enclosure into which we enter by the "Fateh Darwaza" (Victory gate, so called after Aurangzeb’s triumphant army marched in through this gate) studded with giant iron spikes (to prevent elephants from battering them down) near the south-eastern corner. At Fateh Darwaza can be experienced a fantastic acoustic effect, 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' pavilion, the highest point almost a kilometre away. This worked as a warning note to the royals in case of an attack.
The whole of the Golkonda Fort complex and its surrounding spreads across 11 km of total area, and discovering its every nook is an arduous task. A visit to the fort reveals the architectural beauty in many of the pavilions, gates, entrances and domes. Divided into four district forts, the architectural valour still gleams in each of the apartments, halls, temples, mosques, and even stables. The graceful gardens of the fort may have lost their fragrance, for which they were known 400 years ago, yet a walk in these former gardens should be in your schedule when exploring the past glories of Golkonda Fort.
Bala Hissar Gate is the main entrance to the fort located on the eastern side. 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 design of peacocks and lions is a blend of Hindu – Muslim architecture.
Toli Masjid, situated at Karwan, about 2 km from the Golkonda fort, was built in 1671 by Mir Musa Khan Mahaldar, royal architect of Abdullah Qutb Shah. The facade consists of five arches, each with lotus medallions in the spandrels. The central arch is slightly wider and more ornate. The mosque inside is divided into two halls, a transverse outer hall and an inner hall entered through triple arches.
Much thought went into building this gate. A few feet in front of the gate is a large wall. This prevented elephants and soldiers (during enemy attacks) from having a proper ramp to run and break the gate.
The fort of Golkonda is known for its magical acoustic system. The highest point of the fort is the "Bala Hissar", which is located a kilometer away. The palaces, factories, water supply system and the famous "Rahban" cannon, within the fort are some of the major attractions.
It is believed that there is a secret underground tunnel that leads from the "Durbar Hall" and ends in one of the palaces at the foot of the hill. The fort also contains the tombs of the Qutub Shahi kings. These tombs have Islamic architecture and are located about 1 km north of the outer wall of Golkonda. They are encircled by beautiful gardens and numerous exquisitely carved stones. It is also believed that there was a secret tunnel to Charminar.
The two individual pavilions on the outer side of Golkonda are also major attractions of the fort. It is built on a point which is quite rocky. The "Kala Mandir" is also located in the fort. It can be seen from the king's durbar (king's court) which was on top of the Golkonda Fort.
The other buildings found inside the fort are :
Habshi Kamans (Abyssian arches), Ashlah Khana, Taramati mosque, Ramadas Bandikhana, Camel stable, private chambers (kilwat), Mortuary bath, Nagina bagh, Ramasasa's kotha, Durbar hall, Ambar khana etc.
This majestic structure has beautiful palaces and an ingenious water supply system. Sadly, the unique architecture of the fort is now losing its charm.
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.
A View of Bala Hissar Gate in the background, with huge defense
wall in front to prevent the enemy from rushing it
A view of Bala Hissar Gate, Entrance through the Outer Fort Wall
The Central Fort Wall
Golconda Fort had three tiers of Defence, the Outer Fort Wall, the Central Fort Wall and the Inner Fort Wall, which the enemy had to breach, to reach the power centres on top of the hill
The entrance to the Central Fort Wall
The Northern shoulder of the Central Fort wall Entry Gate, natural
Rocks have been used to strengthen the Fortifications
Portions of the central Fort Wall had been damaged during
the siege of 1687 and the vagaries of time
Inner Fort Wall
The Inner Fort Wall, the last line of Defense is generally intact, except for some minor damage caused by the vagaries of time.
A view of the Inner Fort Wall, with the Darbar Hall in the Background
A view of the Inner Fort Wall, from just behind the Central Fort Wall Entrance
A closer view of Inner Fort Wall, where natural Rocks have
been used to strengthen the Fortifications
Another close view of Inner Fort Wall
A long shot of Inner Fort Wall, which is generally intact
A panoramic view of the Fort Ruins below and the City beyond
through a gap in the Central Fort Wall
Another view of the Fort Ruins and the City beyond
A view of the steps leading to the Entrance Gate of Inner Fort Wall
Baradari (Durbar Hall)
This structure is located on the top of
the outcrop and the highest point on the hillock and it is a double storied
building. The two stories known as Diwani – I – Khas and Diwani – I – Am are
the Audience Halls.
Durbar Hall from the Courtyard
A closer view of the Durbar Hall
Kali Mandir
There is a Kali Mandir located just across the courtyard, from the main Seat of Power (Durbar Hall) inside the Inner Fort Wall, which speaks volumes about the religious tolerance of the Qutub Shahi Rulers.
Kali Mandir across the courtyard from the Durbar Hall
Another view of the Kali Mandir from outside the courtyard
Ibrahim Mosque
This structure is a good example of Qutub Shahi
Architecture. This simple but beautiful Mosque is marked by three Arches, with
the Central Arch being larger than the flanking Arches on either side. At the
Base, it has nine small Arches. The external stucco decorations represent
typical Qutub Shahi art style.
A view of Ibrahim Mosque from the inner Fort Wall
A long shot of Ibrahim Mosque from the Foot path
leading down to Qutub Shahi Tombs
A fortification on the Inner Fort Wall, next to the Ibrahim
Mosque, as seen from the Ramadas Prison
A closeup of the same Fortification
Ramadas Prison
It is a solidly built Rectangular building with
only one entrance from the North. Originally planned to be used as a store
house, this building was converted into a prison during the reign of Abul Hasan
Qutub Shah (Tanah Shah), AD 1672 to 1689.
Ramadas Prison with a single entrance from the North
The stairs inside the prison leading to the raised platform on the western side
The low ground on the Eastern half of the Prison building
A Fortification on the central Fort wall, below the Ramadas Prison,
with the Qutub Shahi Tombs in the background
A view of the Qutub Shahi Tombs in the far distance,
with the fortification on the Right
A view of the outer Fort wall and the lawns between Aslah Khana
and Rani Mahal complex, taken on the way down
A view of the southern portion of the Fort and the city beyond from
the path leading down from the Central Fort Wall
Another view of the Southern Section of the Fort and the City beyond
A view of the Western Flank of the Rani Mahal Complex
An imposing view of the Central Fort Wall and the Durbar Hall beyond,
from the court yard outside the Western Flank of Rani Mahal Complex
The Layout Map of the Fort displayed at the Bala Hissar Gate
(Main Entry Gate from the East)
A Brief History of the Fort Displayed at the Bala Hissar Gate
Some Artifacts excavated from the Fort displayed at the Bala Hissar Gate
Note:- The information about the places visited has been Extracted from Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia.
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