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Founded
originally by the Kakatiyas in the year 1140, Golconda
was expanded by the Qutub Shahi kings into a massive
fort of granite with walls and ramparts extending to
a length of 5km in circumference. This fort was built
by Kakatiya kings. From this fort they ruled the nearby
areas even when their capital was based in Warangal.
This massive fort is 11 km in perimeter and its walls
are 15 to 18 ft high. The whole fort is built in granite
and is flanked by 70 ramparts and 8 huge gates. Previously
the whole fort was surrounded by a deep gorge but slowly
this was filled up. While entering from the main gate
of the fort, if one claps below the Grand Portico, echoes
are heard in a Darbar hall some 128 meters away..
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The fortress
city within the walls was famous for the diamond trade
and is said
to been the origin of the famous Koh-i-noor diamond.
The historic fort lies 11kms west of the city of Hyderabad.
The name originates from the Telugu words "Golla" meaning
Shepard and "Konda" or hill - The 'shepherd's
hill'. The fort was later taken over by the Bahamani
kings, subsequently passing into the hands of the Qutub
Shahis, who held it from 1512 to 1687 AD. The first three
Qutub Shahi kings rebuilt Golconda over a span of 62
years.
Famous
features of Golconda include it's system of acoustics, palaces,
factories and the water supply system. The famous
Rahban cannon was used during the last seize of Golconda
by Aurangazeb to whom the fort ultimately fell.
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