One of the most remarkable landmarks in Hyderabad, Golconda Fort, is a magnificent structure famous for its thoughtful architecture and historical importance. Renting a chauffeur-driven car from Hyderabad is the most convenient way to explore Golconda Fort. Keep scrolling to read the full travel guide, Golconda Fort.
Table of Contents
- About Golconda Fort
- Guide to Cover Golconda Fort
- How to plan a trip to Golconda Fort
- Hotels and Resorts in Golconda Fort
About Golconda Fort
Nestled in the Western region of the stunning Hyderabad city, roughly 9 km from Hussain Sagar Lake, Golconda Fort is one of the area’s best-kept historical monuments. Furthermore, constructed in the 16th century, this fort is famous as the former preservation place of the glorious Koh-I-Noor diamond. Also, it is believed that if you clap your hands at the fort’s base, its echoes are audible till the top! The legends, architecture, history, and enigma of Golconda Fort add to its charm and make it one of the must-visit sightseeing spots in Hyderabad.
Moreover, the mines here create some of the most desirable and famous gems ever known in the world, such as the Hope Diamond, Idol’s Eye, Darya-i-noor and the well-known Koo-i-noor. At night, Golconda Fort features vibrant energy with the light and sound show displaying snippets from its royal history. The magnificence, the rise, and the downfall of the Golconda fort are breathtaking in their own right. With its intriguing history, the place is worth a tour. Read on to learn more about Golconda fort and stunning tourist places near Golconda Fort.
History
According to ancient folklore, a shepherd discovered an idol in the region (now famous as Golconda Fort). Also, soon after the discovery, the Kakatiyan king came to know about the same, and he ordered the construction of a mud fort around the found idol. The fortress became renowned as “Golla Konda”, implying Shepherd’s Hill in the Telugu language. In addition, the Golconda fort was constructed in the 11th century under the Kakatiya Dynasty.
Nevertheless, it rose to prestige when it came under the control of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty during the late 16th century, i.e. when the ruler of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty declared his freedom from the Bahmani Sultanate in the late 15th century. The remarkable fort since then has grown from a mud fort to a towering structure with a 10 km exterior fence. After a failed try in the 16th century, the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb was finally able to invade the impenetrable fort after a prolonged nine-month blockade.
Golconda Fort Architecture
Golconda Fort is a magnificent structure constructed on a cliff of 400 feet with a rim of 7 km portraying the stunning combination of Hindu-Islamic architecture. The study walls of the Golconda fort comprise 87 bastions and eight gates, each running 50-60 feet. In addition, there are three strong straight fortification partitions, each within the other that made the fort impenetrable at that time. The main line of the wall comprises the town, and the second row is a dual border that drives around the ground of the hill on which the fort stands.
Likewise, the spectacular fort is well-known for its parade grounds, exquisite apartments, multiple galleries and mosques. Amongst the eight entrances, Fateh Darwaza is the primary gate as the victorious procession of King Aurangzeb cruised through it. This entryway is 13ft broad, 25ft extended and constructed of steel tips to guard it against elephants. On the other hand, the Balahisar Darwaza, constructed using the Nawabi culture and style, is another marvellous structure. However, now, only the eastern entrance is open for sightseers.
Interesting Facts
- Of 38 diamond mines in the country, 23 mines are present near Golconda Fort. Given this abundance of Diamond mines, this place was earlier known as the “Diamond Capital” of India.
- People believe there is a hidden underground tunnel inside one of the halls in the fort leading to the base of the hill.
- There is a site known as Bala Hissar Pavilion in the Golconda fort, which is the tallest point of the fort and is 1 km from the doorway.
Comprehensive guide to cover Golconda Fort
Situated at Khair Complex adjoining Ibrahim Bagh in Hyderabad, Golconda Fort is one of India’s most majestic fort complexes that have endured the test of time and still draw thousands of sightseers. Moreover, constructed with exceptional engineering craftsmanship, this strengthened fort will leave you awestruck with its distinctive grandeur. Here are some exciting things to do in Golconda Fort.
Things to do in Golconda Fort
- Marvel at the beauty of Fateh Darwaza: Fateh Darwaja (Victory Gate), erected at the utmost territory of the fort, is famous for its excellent acoustic influences. Moreover, being one of the topmost engineering wonders at the fort, this entrance is the one via which the Aurangzeb Army successfully paraded. And you know the most amazing part? People believe that even a simple clap near the dome entrance is audible at the Bala Hissar at the hilltop pavilion. This sound was usually helpful in ancient times to alert the inhabitants about impending danger.
- Take a look at the majestic Bala Hissar Gate: The acoustic design at Bala Hissar Gate is one of the most impressive architectural elements of Golconda Fort. This gate, situated on the eastern part of the fort, is the primary access point to the magnificent Golconda Fort. The detailed design of lions and peacocks adorn the area outside the door.
- Explore the remarkable water and ventilation systems: The well-thought-out ventilation systems, water systems, and underground galleries are some of the Golconda fort’s beautiful features that catch sightseers’ attention. Although the summers in the city can be hot, this fort offers a chilly breeze even during the summers due to these special ventilation systems.
Things to do in Golconda Fort with friends
- Seek out the fort’s hidden mysteries: Like every ancient monument, Golconda Fort has its bit of secrets. The hidden subsurface tunnel rumoured to have linked the durbar atop the hill situated at the base acts as an escape path for the royals in times of danger and crisis though widely believed is yet to be discovered. Moreover, people also believe that the queens have many superstitions about mirrors and their impact on the face and instead chose clear water pits to check reflections. It could be one of the reasons there are multiple scattered water bodies around the fortress.
- Visit the fort’s scenic attractions: Tour the entire fort for a glimpse of the royal gardens, intricate water systems, and the water tanks using mud pipes that provided both hot and cold water in the ancient era! In addition, the thousand-step stairway to the durbar hall oversees the twin cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad, the Kala Mandir arbours of Premamathi Nritya Mandir, and Taramathi Gana Mandir.
[Also read: Things to do in Jaipur]
Things to do in Golconda Fort with family
- Witness the famous light and sound show: Golconda Fort is one of Hyderabad’s most famous landmarks. Its ancient ruins distinguish it from other tourist attractions and enhance its magnificence. You can better learn about the fort’s history through a mesmerising light and sound show held every evening that depicts this majestic fort’s glorious past.
- Admire the city’s sheer grandeur from the fort: The massive area of this UNESCO World Heritage site remained encompassed by a 10-kilometre fence and accommodated four different fortresses. The eight entrances let you into a fortress complex beautifully decorated with verdant, lush gardens against the stark brown of the citadel walls. The temples, soldier barracks, royal apartments, stables, courts, everything lies symmetrical, making it a sight to behold.
[Also read: Things to do in Agra]
Places to visit near Golconda Fort
- Take a walk at the famous Charminar: Located a few kms from Golconda Fort, Charminar is an enormous four-storied establishment of four decorated pillars with minarets atop individually and four elegant arches. Furthermore, it holds an elevation of 56 metres and delivers a fine panorama from the first floor. A stroll through the bustling neighbourhood encompassing the imposing monument is a must if you like to absorb this city’s historic vibe.
- Tour the mesmerising Chowmahalla Palace: Hyderabad’s Chowmahalla Palace earlier served as the authorised home of the Nizams of Hyderabad during their rule, and it still maintains some of its past magnificence. The castle’s architecture is attractive, and its delicate dome artwork and meticulously carved window and wall designs are a sight to behold.
- Birla mandir: Devoted to Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala Tirupati Temple, Birla Temple is one of the most stunning temples in Hyderabad. Here you can find the kirtanas of Annamayya, Tyagaraja, and Ramadasu echoing against the background of a blue sky early in the morning.
How to Plan a trip to Golconda Fort
Golconda Fort opening time
The Golconda Fort remains open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Golconda Fort entry fee is INR 5 for Indian sightseers and INR 100 for foreign nationals. In addition, the Light and Sound show ticket price is INR 140 per person for adults and INR 110 for kids.
Best time to visit
The most suitable time to visit the city of Hyderabad is during the winter, stretching from September to March, as the weather is mild at that time and quite pleasant. Moreover, you can also visit Golconda Fort during the evening hours when the weather is agreeable and enjoy the awe-inspiring sound and light show.
How to reach
Since the regional transportation system of Hyderabad is quite good, it links the different parts of the city and makes travel pretty much comfortable. Here are some main ways to reach Golconda Fort in Hyderabad.
- By Air
The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is 22 km from the city centre and offers one of the best flight facilities in India. There is direct air connectivity from numerous nations. In addition, the domestic connectivity is also outstanding, with Indian airlines like IndiGo, Air India, Jet Airways, Spice Jet, etc., running from here. Upon reaching the airport, you can book a Hyderabad airport taxi to reach your desired destination.
- By Road
Hyderabad remains connected to all the prominent Indian cities by road. The private and government buses run luxury and ordinary transportation services from all the adjoining States. You can also book a cab in Hyderabad to reach your destination
- By Rail
Hyderabad is well linked by rail network to all regions of India. The city has three major railway stations: Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and Kachiguda railways. The trains bound for North and South India originate via Hyderabad and run through Secunderabad. And once you reach the railway station, you can readily take a cab or public transport to embark on your sightseeing journey.
Hotels and Resorts near Golconda Fort
| Hotel Name | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Taj Falaknuma Palace | Engine Bowli, Falaknuma, Hyderabad, Telangana | 04066298585 |
| Trident, HITECH City | Survey No.64, Hitech City Main Rd, near Cyber Towers, Jubilee Enclave, HITEC City, Madhapur, Telangana | 04066232323 |
| FabHotel Viraj Suites Gachibowli | Plot No 69, 70, opp. My Home Bhooja, Lumbini Avenue, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana | 07042424242 |
| Courtyard by Marriott Hyderabad | 1-3-1024, Lower Tank Bund Rd, Bhagyalaxmi Nagar, Kavadiguda, Hyderabad, Telangana | 04066522222 |
To sum up, we can say that the historical significance of the fort, coupled with its mysteries, draws thousands of history buffs and sightseers from different regions of the country every year. The outstanding architectural style, along with the robust construction, can impress anyone in no time.
Witness the grandeur of the fort by booking a car rental to take you to all these places with a local driver. Install the Savaari cab booking app for offers and discounts on outstation rentals.
Last Updated on May 19, 2024 by V Subhadra
