Golconda Fort Hyderabad: A Timeless Historical Icon

Hyderabad is a spitting image of development and urbanization. Hyderabad is the hub of innovation and is often referred to as the ‘Cyberabad’. But beneath the sheen of the cyber industry lies a city that is etched on the pages of history. This city has preserved its story and grandeur in the form of its regal architecture till date. Owing to the rich past, there are quite a few tourist places in Hyderabad that are a must visit but today, we will be exploring Golconda Fort. The place that is a true testament to the enduring legacy of empires. So let’s dive in

The fortified structure that you see today was built much later. Before the fortification existed a mud fort built on a granite hill. Let's travel back in time and go to the time when it all began. According to the legends, back in the 12th century, a shepherd boy found this hilltop with an idol. When the information was conveyed to the then Kakatiya ruler, it was then that he laid the foundation of Golconda Fort, hence the name “Golla Konda '' meaning the shepherd’s hill. The Kakatiya king had the place under possession for about 200 years and which then went to Bahamani Qutub Shahi rulers and finally to the Mughals.

Standing tall for over 500 years, Golconda Fort is proof that age is just a number when the architecture is majestic. Built atop a 400 feet cliff, Golconda Fort is a brilliant fusion of Hindu-Islamic architecture. The fort has a total of 87 bastions, eight gates and three fortification partitions that made the fort safe and impenetrable. Among the entrances, the main gate is called Fateh Darwaza since the victorious procession of Aurangzeb marched in. This entryway is as huge as it can be and protected with steel tips to prevent it against the crusading elephants. On top of the Fateh Darwaza, there are others by the name of Balahisar Darwaza, constructed during the mughals era, which is yet another structure that one can marvel at.

Now you must have heard about the famous Kohinoor diamond but do you know that it was here, in the Golconda Fort, that the Kohinoor diamond was kept safe for many years from enemies and foreign attacks. Cool, aint it?

Yet another interesting fact about this marvelous fort is its acoustics. Believe it or not but if you clap your hands at the fort’s base, the echoes that it produces is audible till the hilltop. Legends believe that this technique was used by the inhabitants to alert others of any potential threats at the time. The acoustic ability at Bala Hissar Gate is not just any coincidence, this sheer brilliance, an architectural wonder. Now we know why, Golconda Fort is known to be one of the best tourist places in Hyderabad.

Did you know India has 38 diamond mines and out of those 38, about 23 mines are present near the Golconda Fort, hence the name ‘Diamond Capital of India’. Some of the most famous and valuable diamonds like Daria-i-Noor, Koh-i-Noor, and Hope Diamond are believed to have been unearthed at the Golconda Mines. Well, you won’t be able to visit these mines today, but experiencing their glory firsthand is something that won’t disappoint you.

Visiting Golconda Fort ain’t complete until you witness the famous et son lumiere here. This show is voiced by the legendary actor Amitabh Bachhan, one of the biggest names in bollywood. His voice adds the oomph factor to the overall show. The show mesmerizes the audience by its amazing background scores and storytelling. After you’ve explored the ruins of Golconda, it's only fair to see this show and witness the history of Golconda Fort. The total duration of this show is 50 minutes and is performed in Telugu and English. The colorful laser lights, the excellent soundtrack and the overall ambience of this place will give you goosebumps. Well, we cannot think of a better way to put an amazing evening to an end. After this you can enjoy dinner at one of the nearby restaurants and get back to your hotel in Hyderabad.

Although Golconda Fort is an amazing place to visit, we would not suggest spending an entire day here. The best to visit this fort would be before sunset so that apart from marveling at this enormous fort you can also watch the sun set and attend the amazing light and sound show. So now the question is, how should you rather spend your day before reaching here? Well you know, you don’t have to worry as long as you have so. So to help you out of this situation here are a few suggestions.

Take a walk at the famous Charminar - One of the most famous landmarks in Hyderabad, Charminar is an exemplary Indo-islamic architecture that was constructed back in 1951 as a mosque. Apart from the historical and architectural significance, Charminar is located in the heart of the city surrounded by a bustling market, famous by the name Laad Bazaar. Here you can shop for pearls and bangles.

Chowmahalla Palace - Hyderabad is known as the city of Nizams and Chowmahalla Palace is home of the Nizams. Yes that’s right, the Nizams used to live here back in the day. The tour to this palace is an awesome experience and the designs? The artwork and designs are a sight to behold.

The list of places to enjoy in Hyderabad is long. With tons of places to visit in Hyderabad with friends, this city is a must-visit atleast once and witness its grandeur and culture. And as for hotels, Bloom Hotels in Hyderabad is your place to go. With its prime location and top-notch hospitality, Bloom will make your trip to Hyderabad an incredible experience.