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".
Golconda has three lines of fortification walls and the circumference of the outer fortification is about 6.5 km containing 8-gates and 87-Bastions. There is a ditch around the outer fortified wall and all the bastions were mounted with guns, rendering the fort one of the strongest in the Medieval Deccan. The citadel (Bala Hissar) is within an inner fortification.
The important palatial units are the imposing Silai Khana (a three-storeyed Asla Khana armoury building), Nagina bagh, guard lines, Akkanna-Madanna Offices, Ramdas Jail, Durbar Hall, ruins of Ambarkhana, Baradari on the summit, an inner cordon wall, and Masjid were raised by Ibrahim Qutub Shah (1550-1580 C.E). Before the royal palaces, right on the summit of the hill in a cave (within builders) is a Mahakali temple. The tap water mechanism in the inner city of Golconda is unique and found no where else in the world at that time. Water was raised by an ingenious system through glazed pipes and Persian wheels for storage in overhead tombs to serve the various Mahals within high walled palaces (Raja and Rani Mahal), other apartments and roof garden, etc.
The town of Golconda situated within, was one of the most splendid cities well known for its extensive trade in diamonds and large game of which mention is made by Marco Polo, an Italian traveller (1292 C.E). The lay-out of the palaces, gardens, Durbar halls, mosques, temples and the water supply and drainage system arranged through earthen clay pipes fitted into the walls of the palaces, show the unique planning inside the citadel. An interesting feature is that the echo of hand clapping at the main entrance below is audible even on the top of the citadel, i.e. Baradari, located on the peak of the hillock. It is believed that this was deliberately contrived to convey message to the top most guards regarding visiting personalities. From the imposing Baradari at the pinnacle the old ruins within Golconda Qila and domes of the Qutub Shahi tombs enthral the visitor.
