3/22/22, 11:14 AM Golconda Fort - Wikipedia

Golconda Fort
Golconda Fort (Urdu: “round hill”), (also known as
Golla konda (Telugu: "shepherds' hill"), is a fortified
citadel built by the Qutb Shahi dynasty (c. 1512–1687),
located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Because of the
vicinity of diamond mines, especially Kollur Mine,
Golconda flourished as a trade centre of large diamonds,
known as the Golconda Diamonds. The region has
produced some of the world's most famous diamonds, Panoramic view of the Golconda Fort
including the colourless Koh-i-Noor (now owned by the
United Kingdom), the blue Hope (United States), the
pink Daria-i-Noor (Iran), the white Regent (France), the Dresden Green (Germany), and the
colourless Orlov (Russia), Nizam and Jacob (India), as well as the now lost diamonds Florentine
Yellow, Akbar Shah and Great Mogul.

The complex was put by UNESCO on its "tentative list" to become a World Heritage Site in 2014,
with others in the region, under the name Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate (despite
there being a number of different sultanates).[1]

Contents
History
Diamonds
The Fort
Golconda ruling dynasties
Naya Qila (New Fort)
Qutub Shahi Tombs
UNESCO World Heritage
Influences
In popular culture
Places named after Golconda
Gallery
See also
Citations
General bibliography
External links

History
It was initially called Shepherd’s Hill (Golla Konda in Telugu). According to legend, a shepherd
boy came across an idol on this rocky hill. The information was conveyed to the ruling Kakatiya
king, who constructed a mud fort around this holy spot. After 200 years, Bahamani rulers took
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golconda_Fort 1/8
3/22/22, 11:14 AM Golconda Fort - Wikipedia

possession of the fort. Under the Bahmani Sultanate, Golconda

slowly rose to prominence. Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk (r. 1487–
1543), sent by the Bahmanids as a governor at Golconda,
established the city as the seat of his government around 1501.
Bahmani rule gradually weakened during this period, and
Sultan Quli (Quli Qutub Shah period) formally became
independent in 1538, establishing the Qutb Shahi dynasty
based in Golconda.[2][3] Over a period of 62 years, the mud fort Ruins of the 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.

During the early seventeenth century a strong cotton-weaving industry existed in Golconda. Large
quantities of cotton were produced for domestic and exports consumption. High quality plain or
patterned cloth made of muslin and calico was produced. Plain cloth was available as white or
brown colour, in bleached or dyed variety. Exports of this cloth was to Persia and European
countries. Patterned cloth was made of prints which were made indigenously with indigo for blue,
chay-root for red coloured prints and vegetable yellow. Patterned cloth exports were mainly to
Java, Sumatra and other eastern countries.[4]

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.[5]

Diamonds
The Golconda Fort used to have a vault where the famous Koh-
i-Noor and Hope diamonds were once stored along with other
diamonds.[6]

Golconda is renowned for the diamonds found on the south-

east at Kollur Mine near Kollur, Guntur district, Paritala and
Atkur in Krishna district and cut in the city during the Kakatiya
reign. At that time, India had the only known diamond mines
in the world. Golkonda was the market city of the diamond
trade, and gems sold there came from a number of mines. The
fortress-city within the walls was famous for diamond trade.

Its name has taken a generic meaning and has come to be associated with great wealth.
Gemologists use this classification to denote a diamond with a complete (or almost-complete) lack
of nitrogen; "Golconda" material is also referred to as "2A".

Many famed diamonds are believed to have been excavated from the mines of Golconda, such as:

Daria-i-Noor
Noor-ul-Ain
Koh-i-Noor
Hope Diamond
Princie Diamond
Regent Diamond
Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golconda_Fort 2/8
3/22/22, 11:14 AM Golconda Fort - Wikipedia

The Daria-i-Noor The Hope Diamond The Koh-i-Noor Diamond

Diamond

The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond

By the 1880s, "Golconda" was being used generically by English speakers to refer to any
particularly rich mine, and later to any source of great wealth.

During the Renaissance and the early modern eras, the name "Golconda" acquired a legendary
aura and became synonymous for vast wealth. The mines brought riches to the Qutb Shahis of
Hyderabad State, who ruled Golconda up to 1687, then to the Nizam of Hyderabad, who ruled
after the independence from the Mughal Empire in 1724 until 1948, when the Indian integration of
Hyderabad occurred. The siege of Golconda occurred in January 1687, when Mughal Emperor
Aurangzeb led his forces to besiege the Qutb Shahi dynasty at Golconda Fort (also known as the
Diamond Capitol of its time) and was home to the Kollur Mine. The ruler of Golconda was the well
entrenched Abul Hasan Qutb Shah.

The Fort
Golconda Fort is listed as an archaeological treasure on the official "List of Monuments" prepared
by the Archaeological Survey of India under The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and
Remains Act.[7]
Golconda consists of four distinct forts with a 10 km (6.2 mi) long outer wall with
87 semicircular bastions (some still mounted with cannons), eight gateways, and four
drawbridges, with a number of royal apartments and halls, temples, mosques, magazines, stables,
etc. inside. The lowest of these is the outermost enclosure entered by the "Fateh Darwaza" (Victory
gate, so called after Aurangzeb’s triumphant army marched in through this gate) studded with
giant iron spikes (to prevent elephants from battering them down) near the south-eastern corner.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golconda_Fort 3/8
3/22/22, 11:14 AM Golconda Fort - Wikipedia

An acoustic effect can be experienced at Fateh Darwazaan, a

hand clap at a certain point below the dome at the entrance
reverberates and can be heard clearly at the 'Bala Hisar'
pavilion, the highest point almost a kilometer away. This
worked as a warning in case of an attack.

Bala Hissar Gate is the main entrance to the fort located on the
eastern side. It has a pointed arch bordered by rows of scroll
work. The spandrels have yalis and decorated roundels. The
area above the door has peacocks with ornate tails flanking an Guide map of Golkonda fort
ornamental arched niche. The granite block lintel below has
sculpted yalis flanking a disc. The design of peacocks and lions
is typical of Hindu architecture and underlies this fort's Hindu origins.

Toli Masjid, situated at Karwan, about 2 km (1.2 mi) from the Golconda Fort, was built in 1671 by
Mir Musa Khan Mahaldar, royal architect of Abdullah Qutb Shah. The facade consists of five
arches, each with lotus medallions in the spandrels. The central arch is slightly wider and more
ornate. The mosque inside is divided into two halls, a transverse outer hall and an inner hall
entered through triple arches.

It is believed that there is a secret tunnel that leads from the "Durbar Hall" and ends in one of the
palaces at the foot of the hill. The fort also contains the tombs of the Qutub Shahi kings. These
tombs have Islamic architecture and are located about 1 km (0.62 mi) north of the outer wall of
Golconda. They are encircled by beautiful gardens and numerous carved stones. It is also believed
that there was a secret tunnel to Charminar.

The two individual pavilions on the outer side of Golconda are built on a point which is quite
rocky. The "Kala Mandir" is also located in the fort. It can be seen from the king's durbar (king's
court) which was on top of the Golconda Fort.

The other buildings found inside the fort are:

Habshi Kamans (Abyssian arches), Ashlah Khana, Taramati mosque, Ramadas Bandikhana,
Camel stable, private chambers (kilwat), Mortuary bath, Nagina bagh, Ramasasa's kotha,
Durbar hall, Ambar khana etc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golconda_Fort 4/8
3/22/22, 11:14 AM Golconda Fort - Wikipedia

A view of the ruins of the fort Fort overlooking the city Mosque of Ibrahim
of Hyderabad

The Baradari located at View from the Baradari Design inside the Golconda
the top of the citadel fort

Pathway in Golconda fort The Baradari fort

Golconda ruling dynasties

Several dynasties ruled Golconda over year

Kakatiya Rulers
Bahamani Sultans
Qutb Shahi dynasty
Mughal Empire

Naya Qila (New Fort)

Naya Qila is an extension of Golconda Fort which was turned into the Hyderabad Golf Club despite
resistance from farmers who owned the land and various NGOs within the city. The ramparts of
the new fort start after the residential area with many towers and the Hatiyan ka Jhad ("Elephant-
sized tree")—an ancient baobab tree with an enormous girth. It also includes a war mosque. These
sites are under restrictive access to the public because of the Golf Course.

Qutub Shahi Tombs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golconda_Fort 5/8
3/22/22, 11:14 AM Golconda Fort - Wikipedia

The tombs of the Qutub Shahi sultans lie about one kilometre
north of Golconda's outer wall. These structures are made of
beautifully carved stonework, and surrounded by landscaped
gardens. They are open to the public and receive many visitors.
It is one of the famous sight seeing places in Hyderabad.

UNESCO World Heritage

The Golconda fort, and other Qutb Shahi dynasty Monuments
The Do-Minar, Golconda
of Hyderabad (the Charminar, and the Qutb Shahi Tombs)
were submitted by the Permanent Delegation of India to
UNESCO in 2010 for consideration as World Heritage Sites.
They are currently included on India's "tentative list".[8][9]

Influences

In popular culture
Russell Conwell's book Acres of Diamonds tells a story of the discovery of the Golconda
mines.
René Magritte's painting Golconda was named after the city.
John Keats' early poem "On receiving a curious Shell" opens with the lines: "Hast thou from
the caves of Golkonda, a gem / pure as the ice-drop that froze on the mountain?"[10]
Referenced in the classical Russian ballet, La Bayadère
Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize–winning novel All the Light We Cannot See references the
Golconda Mines as the discovery place of the "Sea of Flames" diamond
In Patrick O'Brian's novel The Surgeon's Mate, a character describes a particularly valuable
diamond as being worth "half Golconda".

Places named after Golconda

A city in Illinois, United States is named after Golconda.
A city in Nevada, United States is named after Golconda.
A village located in the southern part of Trinidad had given the name in the 19th century to a
rich tract of land which was once a sugar-cane estate. Currently, mostly descendants of East
Indian indentured servants occupy the village of Golconda.

Gallery

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golconda_Fort 6/8
3/22/22, 11:14 AM Golconda Fort - Wikipedia

Golconda Fort seen from a road Stone Arch Ruins Fort overlooking the city

Staircase leading to the Ambar Khana Rani Mahal

top of the Fort

Taramati Mosque Golconda Fort inside view Architecture inside

Golconda Fort

View of the Golconda Fort

Golconda Fort from inside

See also
Afanasiy Nikitin – the first European to visit Golconda
History of Hyderabad
Naya Qila
Taramati Baradari

Citations
1. UNESCO "tentative list" (https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5887/)
2. Sardar, Golconda through Time 2007, pp. 66–67.
3. Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. p. 118.
ISBN 978-9-38060-734-4.
4. Moreland, W.H (1931). Relation of Golconda in the Early Seventeenth Century. Halyukt
Society.
5. Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry
of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 178.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golconda_Fort 7/8
3/22/22, 11:14 AM Golconda Fort - Wikipedia

6. Bradnock, Roma. Footprint India

(https://archive.org/details/footprintindia0000dare/page/1035). p. 1035 (https://archive.org/detai
ls/footprintindia0000dare/page/1035). ISBN 978-1-906098-05-6.
7. "Alphabetical List of Monuments - Andhra Pradesh" (https://web.archive.org/web/20140625052
615/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_andhra.asp). Archaeological Survey of India. Archived
from the original (http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_andhra.asp) on 25 June 2014. Retrieved
27 August 2015.
8. Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "The Qutb Shahi Monuments of Hyderabad Golconda Fort,
Qutb Shahi Tombs, Charminar - UNESCO World Heritage Centre" (https://whc.unesco.org/en/t
entativelists/5573/). whc.unesco.org.
9. "Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/20180622005212/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/
Default/Layout/Includes/EDU/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=EDU&BaseHref
=TOIM%2F2012%2F06%2F24&ViewMode=HTML&PageLabel=22&EntityId=Ar02201&AppNa
me=1). Archived from the original (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/ED
U/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=EDU&BaseHref=TOIM%2F2012%2F06%2
F24&ViewMode=HTML&PageLabel=22&EntityId=Ar02201&AppName=1) on 22 June 2018.
Retrieved 3 December 2017.
10. "6. On receiving a curious Shell. Keats, John. 1884. The Poetical Works of John Keats" (http://
www.bartleby.com/126/6.html). Bartleby.com. Retrieved 1 May 2013.

General bibliography
Prasad, G. Durga (1988). History of the Andhras up to 1565 A. D. (http://www.katragadda.com/
articles/HistoryOfTheAndhras.pdf) (PDF). Guntur: P. G. Publishers.
Nanisetti, Serish (2019). Golconda Bagnagar Hyderabad, Rise and Fall of a Global Metropolis
in Medieval India (https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08291BCP9/) (1st ed.). Generic.
ISBN 9789353518813.
Sardar, Marika (2007). Golconda Through Time: A Mirror of the Evolving Deccan (https://book
s.google.com/books?id=q8zERtJWtSUC) (PhD thesis). New York University. ISBN 978-0-549-
10119-2.

External links
Qutb Shahi Architecture at Golkonda (https://web.archive.org/web/20150518084754/http://ww
w.kaladarshana.com/sites/golconda/)
"Golconda"  (https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Golconda).
Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Golconda_Fort&oldid=1078026958"

This page was last edited on 19 March 2022, at 13:18 (UTC).

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0;

additional terms may apply. By
using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the
Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golconda_Fort 8/8