Golconda Fort – things to know before visiting in 2022

The Golconda Sultanate’s capital, Golconda Fort, was erected by the Qutb Shahi dynasty between 1512 and 1687. The Hussain Sagar Lake is around 9 kilometers away and is located in the western section of Hyderabad city. Golconda prospered as a trade center for enormous diamonds, known as the Golconda Diamonds, due to its proximity to diamond mines, particularly the Kollur Mine. The colorless Koh-i-Noor, currently owned by the United Kingdom, the blue Hope, the pink Daria-i-Noor, the white Regent, the Dresden Green, and the colorless Orlov, Nizam, and Jacob, as well as the now-lost jewels Florentine Yellow, Akbar Shah, and Great Mogul, were all mined in the region.

History:

The huge Golconda Fort, with eight gates and 87 bastions, was built by the Qutub Shahi Kings after it was founded by the Kakatiya Kings in the 12th century.

A tale surrounds the name Golconda Fort. A shepherd child was once strolling on this hill when he came across a God idol, according to legend. The word of the shepherd boy’s discovery reached the monarch of the Kakatiya Dynasty at the time. The King then chose to construct a fort on the hill, which became known as Golconda Fort (Shepherd’s Hill).

The fort was taken over by Bahamani monarchs about 200 years later. Later, the Qutub Shahi Kings acquired control of the fort and expanded it. During the time of the Bahamani monarchs and the Qutub Shahi Dynasty, the fort was strengthened and enlarged. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb took control of this fort in 1687. The fort was abandoned at that point.

The Golconda Fort is currently made up of a complex structure of palaces, mosques, and pavilions, all of which are tragically in ruins.

According to legend, Golconda used to be a well-known diamond market that drew traders from all over the world. The famous Kohinoor and Hope gems, as well as others like The Regent Diamond, Darya-e Nur, and Nur-Ul-Ain Diamond, were kept at Golconda.

The architecture of Golconda Fort:

The fort features walls that are 15 to 18 feet high and has a radius of roughly 11 kilometers. It features massive gates with pointy iron spikes. This helped to secure the fort from both elephants and enemy attackers. The architecture of Golconda Fort is captivating, and it will astound you at every turn. This fort was constructed on a 12-meter-high granite cliff. A massive rampart was built around the Golconda Fort, which can still be seen today.

The Fort’s acoustics system is something that every visitor is drawn to. The sound of applauding at the entrance may be heard almost a kilometer away at the ‘Bala Hissar,’ the highest peak on the island. This system was utilized for communication, particularly to notify the royals in the event of an assault.

Other appealing characteristics of the Fort include the water supply system, which has people admiring the advancement of technical and scientific knowledge used in its construction. The ‘Rahban’ cannon is another popular feature.

Ramdas’ prison is one of the fort’s most prominent attractions. Ramdas, a revenue collector in Abdul Hasan Shah’s court, was imprisoned, according to folklore. He carved Hindu deities on the wall of his cell throughout his captivity. Many carvings of the Hindu Lord Hanuman may be found on the wall, which has been coated with sacred vermillion. In front of the carvings, a holy lamp (Diya) or two is lit.

Fateh Darwaza, which translates to “Victory Gate” in English, is the fort’s main entrance. It was given this name since this was the gate through which Aurangzeb’s soldiers entered the fort. This gate not only fascinates visitors with its magnificent acoustics but also with his army’s victorious procession.

This gate, which exemplifies architectural perfection, has been constructed in such a way that clapping can be heard at the highest pavilion if one claps at a specific position of the entrance. The 80-foot tree, which is claimed to be over 800 years old, is another interesting feature of Golconda Fort.

There are also many mounted cannons and drawbridges on the fort. Huge halls, mosques, eight entrances, and stables add to the spectacular architecture’s grandeur. It’s been suggested that a secret tunnel runs from Durbar hall to the foot of the hill. It’s thought to be a secret tunnel that can be used to flee in the event of an attack. To yet, no such route has been discovered.

Golconda Fort Entry Fee

25 per person for Indians

300 per person for Foreign Tourists

25 for Still Camera

Golconda Fort Sound & Light Show Fee

140 per Adult in Executive Class

110 per Child in Executive Class

80 per Adult in Normal Class

60 per Child in Normal Class

Golconda Fort Phone:

040 2351 2401

Sound & Light Show Bulk Bookings Phone: 

+91 9640069290

Golconda Fort Timings

Monday – Sunday: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm

Sound & Light Show Timings at Golconda Fort

1st Show English (All Days)

2nd Show in Telugu on Monday, Wednesday & Friday,

2nd Show in Hindi on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday.

Show Timings (Nov to Feb): 1st Show 6:30 pm 2nd Show 7.45 pm

Show Timings (Mar to Oct): 1st Show 7:00 pm 2nd Show 8.15 pm.

Note: Sound & Light Show Ticket counter at Golconda Fort is open from 5:30 PM

FAQs

Q. In and around Golconda Fort, there are plenty of places to eat.

Outside the fort, there are numerous eateries ranging from restaurants to roadside booths and counters. Visitors are frequently seen filling their bellies with delectable snacks and beverages.

If you want a unique dining experience, go to the Taramati Baradari resort’s restaurant, which is operated by Telangana Tourism. It is a short distance from the fort and can be reached in a few minutes by car. Taramati Baradari is another prominent tourist attraction in Hyderabad, and the restaurant here serves delectable cuisine.

Q.When is the best time to go to Golconda Fort?

Although the fort can be visited at any time if one is interested, it is best to visit it between September and March. Because the temperature in Hyderabad gets hotter during the summer, exploring this magnificent fort, which requires a lot of walking and stair climbing, can be a little difficult.

Also, come in the night to see the music and light display after exploring this spectacular fort.

It is also suggested that you visit the Qutub Shahi Tombs and Taramati Baradari, which are the two closest tourist attractions to Golconda Fort.