About Golconda Fort

Golconda Fort is a huge granite fort on a hill in the Ibrahim Bagh area, on the western side of Hyderabad. It was the capital of the Qutb Shahi kings before the city of Hyderabad was built. The fort is famous for its strong walls, its clever sound system and its link to the diamond trade. It is one of the most visited historic places in Telangana.

History

The name comes from the Telugu words "Golla Konda", meaning shepherd's hill. The first fort here was a mud fort built under the Kakatiya kings of Warangal. It later passed to the Bahmani Sultanate. In 1518, Sultan Quli Qutb Shah declared independence and made Golconda the capital of his new kingdom. The Qutb Shahi rulers later rebuilt it in stone and made it much larger. Golconda also became a world-famous market for diamonds from mines in the Krishna river area. Famous gems such as the Koh-i-Noor are linked to this region. In 1687, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb captured the fort after a siege of about eight months. This ended Qutb Shahi rule.

What to see and do

• Stand under the dome at the Fateh Darwaza (Victory Gate) and clap. The sound can be heard at the top of the hill, almost a kilometre away.
• Climb to the Bala Hisar, the highest point, for wide views of Hyderabad.
• See the ruins of palaces, mosques, royal halls, the armoury and old water tanks.
• Look at the old water system that carried water up the hill using clay pipes.
• Visit the small cell known as Ramdas Jail, where the saint-poet Bhakta Ramadas is said to have been kept.
• Stay back in the evening for the sound and light show on the history of the fort.

Best time to visit

October to February is the best season, as the climb is tiring in the heat. Start early in the morning, soon after opening, or come in the late afternoon and stay for the evening show. Summer afternoons from April to June are very hot. The rock steps can be slippery in the monsoon, so take care.

How to reach

The fort is about 11 km west of the city centre. It is about 10 km from Nampally (Hyderabad) railway station and about 17 km from Secunderabad railway station. Mehdipatnam, about 6 km away, is the nearest major bus point, and many TGSRTC buses run from there to Golconda. Autos and cabs are easy to find. There is no metro station close to the fort, so plan the last part by road.

Tips for visitors

• Plan two to three hours for the full walk up and down.
• Wear good walking shoes and carry drinking water.
• Hire an authorised guide at the entrance to hear the stories behind each building.
• Children under 15 usually enter free at ASI monuments.
• Paying online or by card is often slightly cheaper than paying cash at the counter.

Golconda Fort is a key heritage stop on our Hyderabad tourist places page. In the evening, watch the Sound and Light Show at Golconda Fort, and visit the royal Qutub Shahi Tombs nearby. To see the fort with other city highlights, check our One Day Hyderabad City Tour.