Golconda Fort (17° 23’ N; 78° 23’ 30” E) the Historic Golconda Fort is about 11 km west of Hyderabad city. The name originated from Telugu Golla Konda or Shepherd's Hill.In the annals of medieval Deccan, Golconda with its extensive and elevated fortifications is a landmark governing the destiny of the South. The fort originally belonged to the Kakatiyas of Warangal. This is testified by the over-door carvings and relief work in stucco consisting of lions, peacocks, griffins and lotus at the entrance of Balahissar. In 1363 C.E., it was ceded to the Bahmanis. After the downfall of the Bahmanis (1518 C.E.) it became the capital of the Qutub Shahi kings (1518-1687). The credit for founding the city of Hyderabad on a grid pattern, raising the charming Charminar in the midst of the old city and literary flourish both in Telugu and Persian languages, owe to the great Mohd.Quli Qutb Shah (1586 C.E.). Aurangazeb annexed it to the Moghul Empire (1687 C.E.). After the death of Aurangazeb in 1707 C.E, the young Asaf Jah declared himself as Nizamul-mulk. The Nizams held sway over Hyderabad until 1948 - the scions ranked "the richest men in the world".