3. Golconda, a ruined city of south-central India and capital of ancient Kingdom of Golconda (c. 1364–1512), is situated 11 km west of Hyderabad Hyderabad The most important builder of Golconda was Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah Wali, the fourth Qutb kingIbrahim Quli Qutb Shah WaliQutb king The 13th century Golconda Fort was built by the Kakatiya kings.

4. Golconda was once renowned for the diamonds. The Mines of Golconda themselves yielded diamonds of trifling quantity. Europeans knew that diamonds were found only in these fabled mines. Golconda was, in fact, 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 tradefortressdiamond

5. Golconda consists of four distinct forts with a 10 km long outer wall with 87 semi circular bastions; some still mounted with cannons, eight gateways, four drawbridges and number of royal apartments & halls, temples, mosques, magazines, stables etc., inside. The lowest of these is the outermost enclosure into which we enter by the "Fateh Darwaza"fortscannonsdrawbridges templesmosquesenclosure

6. Section of a Tent Hanging or Curtain, Golconda, late 17th century A Golconda Gate Bala Hissar Gate Birds' eye view of the city of Hyderabad from GolConda Fort

7. BUILT IN: 12 TH CENTURY AND 16 TH CENTURY AD BUILT BY: KAKATIYA KINGS LOCATION: HYDERABAD (ANDHRA PRADESH)

8. GOLCONDA FORT - AN IMPREGNABLE STRONGHOLD The awesome Golconda Fort is famous for its military architecture. The defenses of this fort were so strong that no known attack of the time could penetrate its strong ramparts.

9. HOW TO REACH GOLCONDA FORT The great Golconda fort is located on the western side of the city of Hyderabad. Hyderabad is well connected by air, rail, and road with important cities in India and abroad. Travelers can reach the fort either by taking local buses or, alternatively, they can take auto- rickshaw and taxis. A steep climb of 380 steps lead one to the topmost building of the fort

11. Main entrance gate Some of the remains, left side after entering the gate

13. Way going to up...some galaries and then steps

23. Some regional serial shooting was going on

24. Garden near the entrance/exit

25. Small Snack Shop at the right side corner in the tin shade...

28. Tombs and Mosques Taj Mahal,Agra Taj Mahal,Agra Jama Masjid,Delhi Humayun Tomb,Delhi Qutub Minar,Delhi

29. Caves Ajanta Caves,AurangabadAjanta Caves,Aurangabad Ellora Caves,Aurangabad Elephanta Caves,Mumbai Udaygiri Caves,Bhubaneshwar Kandhagiri Caves,Bhubaneshwar Edakkal Caves,Kerala Borra Caves,Vishakapatnam

30. Doors and Gates Buland Darwaza,Fatehpur SikriBuland Darwaza,Fatehpur Sikri Charminar,Hyderabad Gateway of India,Mumbai India Gate,Delhi

31. Forts and Palaces Old Fort,DelhiOld Fort,Delhi Red Fort,Agra City Palace,Jaipur City Palace,Udaipur Golconda Fort,Hyderabad Havelis of Delhi Havelis of Shekhawati,Rajasthan Hawa Mahal,Jaipur Jaisalmer Havelis Jal Mahal,Jaipur Mysore Palace Bidar Fort,Karnataka Gingee Fort,Tamil Nadu

32. Heritage Palaces Ajit Bhawan PalaceAjit Bhawan Palace Bhanwar Niwas Palace Gorbandh Palace Castle Mandawa Khimsar Fort Mansingh Palace hotel Samode Palace Jai Mahal Palace Jai Vilas Palace Lake Palace Lalgarh Palace Narayan Niwas Palace,Jaisalmer Rang Mahal Palace,Jaisalmer Sariska Palace Shiv Niwas Palace Umaid Bhawan palace

33. Temples Khajuraho TemplesKhajuraho Temples Jagannath Puri Temple Konark Sun Temple Meenakshi Temple Tirupati Balaji Temple Brihadisvara Temple Omkareshwar Temple Akshardham Temple Dwarka Temple Mahabalipuram Temples Pattadakal Temple Golden Temple

34. Religious Monuments Sanchi Stupa Sanchi Stupa Nalanda University Monuments of Hampi Monuments of Bodh Gaya Bangla Sahib Gurudwara,Delhi Lotus Temple,Delhi

35. Some Other Famous Monuments Jantar Mantar,DelhiJantar Mantar,Delhi Qutub Minar,Delhi