Set in the outskirts of the silicon city-Hyderabad, the magnificent Golconda Fort is a landmark monument and epitome of Nawabi culture and grandeur. It is one of the most remarkable fortress complexes in India, built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in the early 16 th century AD. Perched atop a granite hill 120 meters high, the fort was enclosed within massive walls of solid stone. The exterior wall of Golconda is about 11 km long with magnificent semi circular bastions and covers an entire township. A remarkable feature of the fort is its inherent acoustics system. This can be experienced by clapping your hands at a certain specific point below the dome near the entrance, the sound of which can be heard at the highest point of the fort almost a kilometer away.

Golconda’s history goes back to the early 13 th century. There is an interesting story revolves round the erection of the Fort. In Telugu, the word Golla Konda’ means ‘shepherd hill’ and one fine day a shepherd boy came across an idol on a rocky hill called Mangalavaram. The news of the idol was then conveyed to the Kakatiya king, who was ruling at that time. As a result a mud fort was constructed around the holy spot by the hill. Subsequently, this humble construction was expanded by the later Qutub Shahi kings into a massive fortress, over a period of 62 years. Qutub Shahis rule ended in 1687, when the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb conquered the Fort. The fort was almost completely destroyed by the Emperor and left it in a heap of pathetic ruins.

During the heydays, the city within the fortress walls was a fabulous market glittering with world famous diamonds, jewelry and gems. The famous Ko-hi-noor diamond that became the charm of the Mughal Empire is said to have come from here. Inside the fort complex there are a number of royal apartments, halls, temples, mosques, magazines, and stables. Some of the bastions in the outer wall are still mounted with cannons.