Travelogue: Golconda Fort – The Sights and Technology Within
February 28, 2011 by Hema Penmetsa
Golconda Fort, which began its life as a mud fort, has withstood the assault of natural elements and humans for centuries and stands tall and aloof to this day. There are features inside the fort that are technologically so advanced that they could teach a thing or two to the military and engineers today.
Intimate details like: the low-roofed cubbyholes in the bodyguards’ barracks, where obviously the guards lived away from their own families with bare minimum necessities so they could protect their lord and master; or the alcoves in the walls of the queen’s palace where make-up articles could be stored; or the walkways within the several gardens that are smooth and worn from generations of ancient feet strolling over them tugged at my heart.
As I walked through the ruins of the Rani Mahal (the queen’s palace) and the zenana (the women’s quarters where the king’s harem lived), I could almost hear the rustle of silks as the women walked by in their colorful ghagharas and cholis (long skirts and intricately embroidered blouses), the numerous bangles on their hands tinkling in unison with their giggles and laughter.
They brought to my mind the fact that women and men — who had desires, aspirations, and likes and dislikes probably similar to mine — lived and died here. Some of them probably enjoyed the rich lifestyle given them inside these walls, but there were countless others who strained at the invisible ropes binding them to these palaces.
All that remains now to show for the lives of the various residents of the fort over the centuries are its somber ruins.
Here are more pictures I took inside the fort…
This tall wall curtains off the main entrance to the fort and fools everyone into thinking it’s just a rampart wall. It has parapets above it, behind which soldiers used to crouch and take inventory of the enemy camps during battles. The entry inside the wall that leads to the gigantic doorway is quite narrow, thus protecting the entrance to the fort from the direct assault of an army.
The doors guarding the entrances are made of metal and have pointed studs on them to prevent the use of elephants and large logs to crash the doors down during battles
Barracks where bodyguards lived. These barracks are situated right by the entrance. Obviously, if anyone wanted to enter the fort surreptitiously, they'd have to deal with the bodyguards first
One of the many reservoirs found throughout the fort -- they were used to store water for the residents' use and also to water the many gardens
Pipes made of baked clay were fitted inside the walls of the fort all the way to the top which were used to pump water (using Persian wheels) from a lake at ground level, filling several tanks at various levels strewn inside the fort
The king's mosque at the top of the fort
A temple inside the fort, built by the Hindu ministers during the reign of the last ruler of the Qutub Shahis. This was one of the highlights of the fort for me. Up until then, I was immersed in the Islamic architecture and lifestyle. I turn a bend in the road and there I was staring at a huge “Om” (the symbol written in saffron over a white background in the picture, one of the most recognized symbols of the Hindu religion), on top of a temple right at the heart of the fort. And it does not seem out of place. In fact, it seems just right. You see such sights throughout India
Queens' Palace -- these buildings used to be three storeys high before Aurangazeb's canons reduced them to ruins and rubble
Private gardens for the enjoyment of the queens
Inside the queens' palace
Inside the harem -- cordoned off now to prevent graffiti on the walls
Durbar or the king's assembly hall. It can get suffocatingly hot in Hyderabad during summer. Inside, where the king’s throne sits, the hallway has been so designed so that cool air flows through it during all seasons of the year. Basically, it was air-conditioning.
Ruins of a once rooftop garden
Simply breathtaking!!!!!!!! You can get lost in these pictures.
Thank You Hema!
RK
Thanks, RK
Beautiful pics, Hema! That one of the temple is lovely and you’re right, it seems just right.
Jai
The temple looks a little newer compared to the rest of the fort and I wondered why… until I found out its history.
Beautiful pictures Hema! Your descriptions bring the glamorous fort back to life. I wish to go back in time now:-)
Best,
Suma.
Thanks, Suma! I always keep wishing for that myself! :)
What gorgeous pictures! It definitely sounds like there’s a story in there somewhere, just waiting to come out. :)
I left you an award over at my blog today.
There definitely is a story or two lurking in there! :) Thanks for the award, Susan!!
Simply spectacular pics Hema…
I can feel the pulse of you and the excitement you had when you had visited the fort….Me and my kids will make it this summer and you are a true inspiration for this and many more:)
Thank you very much, Siri! You should tell me your stories after you come back from your trip! :)
Magnificent, Hema! You do such a great job telling the history on each picture.
Amazing pictures, Hema! Thanks for sharing–it was almost as good as being there, seeing your pictures. Almost. :o)
Lovely pictures and the history behind the fort is great. The construction looks solid, so I’m not surprised to read that it’s withstood the test of time.
Greetings from London.
Beautiful photographs and wonderful descriptions!!! Will add this to places to visit in India :)
And, I am passing on a ‘stylish blogger award’ to you — please check my blog post dated march 4 :) Hope its not much trouble for you.
Wow, it’s beautiful and magical. Amazing pictures!
It’s neat to think about what it must have been like to actually live there. I’d like to see the private gardens!
Thanks everyone! I loved visiting these historical sites and taking pictures. I’m even happier to be sharing them with you all here! :)
lovely pictures and wonderful description. you made golconda come alive.