Golconda Fort
Golconda Fort
Golconda Fort
INTRODUCTION
Golkonda, also known as Golconda, Gol
konda ("Round shaped hill"), or Golla
konda, (Shepherd's Hill) is a citadel and fort
in Southern India and was the capital of the
medieval sultanate of the Qutb Shahi
dynasty (c.1512–1687), is situated 11 km (6.8
mi) west of Hyderabad. It is also a tehsil of
Hyderabad district, Telangana, India. The
region is known for the mines that have
produced some of the world's most famous
gems, including the Koh-i-Noor, the Hope
Diamond, Nassak Diamond and the Noor-ul-
Ain.
HISTORY
Golkonda was originally known as Mankal.Golkonda Fort was first built by the
Kakatiyas as part of their western defenses along the lines of the Kondapalli
Fort. The city and the fortress were built on a granite hill that is 120 meters (390
ft) high, surrounded by massive battlements. The fort was rebuilt and
strengthened by Rani Rudrama Devi and her successor Prataparudra.[2][3]
Later, the fort came under the control of the Musunuri Nayaks, who defeated
the Tughlaqi army occupying Warangal.[4] It was ceded by the Musunuri
Kapaya Bhupathi to the Bahmani Sultanate as part of a treaty in 1364.[5][6]
Under the Bahmani Sultanate, Golkonda slowly rose to prominence. Sultan Quli
Qutb-ul-Mulk (r. 1487–1543), sent as a governor of Telangana, established it as
the seat of his government around 1501. Bahmani rule gradually weakened
during this period, and Sultan Quli formally became independent in 1538,
establishing the Qutb Shahi dynasty based in Golkonda.[7][8] Over a period of
62 years, the mud fort was expanded by the first three Qutb Shahi sultans into
the present structure, a massive fortification of granite extending around 5 km
(3.1 mi) in circumference. 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 (4.3 mi) outer wall enclosed the city.
The fort finally fell into ruin in 1687, after an eight-month-long siege led to its
fall at the hands of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.[9]
GOLCONDA FORT
CLAPPING PORTICO
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