Visit to Golconda Fort, Hyderabad

As I walked down from the top of the fort, half-way-down, a young man in his late twenties, wearing a smart jean and sports t-shirt who was climbing up, approached me. Drenched in sweat and gasping, he asked “Excuse me sir, do you have water?”. Luckily, I had half-a-bottle of water left with me, which I gladly gave, grabbing it, he drank it at once, thanked me profoundly and continued his climb. I stood there for a few minutes trying to understand what had just happened!

The above incident happened last week, during my visit to the Golconda fort.

Golconda Fort - Ticket was ₹25 per person (Indian resident) — Golconda Fort – Ticket was ₹25 per person (Indian resident)

Golconda Fort (Telugu: shepherds hill), is a fortified citadel built by the Qutb Shahi dynasty (c. 1512–1687), located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India

💎The present fort was built by the Qutb Shahi dynasty (c. 1512–1687) that gave the world, the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond.

⚔️The Golconda fort is close to the city, and only 11 km from Gachibowli, where I had stayed.

☀️If you are visiting in the summer, like now, please avoid the hot afternoons, a mistake I did. With the experience of visiting two other forts a few months before I had become smart to wear a hat & sunglasses and carry a large bottle of water with me.

🚶🏽‍♂️I went there at 10.30 AM and spent the next 2 hours walking around and to the top – it was an easy walk and was a shorter distance to the top, compared to the Gingee fort or Sankagiri fort I had been to earlier.

🕌Apart from the royal palaces, there is a mosque and a Hindu temple inside the fort.

🛕There is also the prison cell, where Sri Bhakta Ramadasu or Sri Bhadrachala Ramadasu (c. 1620 – 1688), the famous carnatic music composer of songs on God Rama was imprisoned for 12 years in solitary confinement.

Venkatarangan Thirumalai in front of the ruins of Golconda Fort

More view of rooms and walls of Golconda Fort

View of the Hyderabad city from the hilltop

Baradari (Darbar Hall) - This structure is at the top, is a double storied building with open terrace and an audience hall. — Baradari (Darbar Hall) – This structure is at the top, is a double storied building with open terrace and an audience hall

View from the Darbar Hall, Golconda Fort

Venkatarangan Thirumalai in the open terrace in front of the darbar hall, Golconda Fort

More views of the city downhill and ruins of Golconda Fort

Rani Mahal, Golconda Fort - This multi-storied complex in the Balahissar is the largest one comprising many buildings, chambers and structures — Rani Mahal, Golconda Fort – This multi-storied complex in the Balahissar is the largest one comprising many buildings, chambers and structures

Sri Jagadamba Temple inside the golconda fort

Sri Ramadas Prison, Golconda Fort - It is a solidly built rectangular building with only one entrance from its north — Sri Ramadas Prison, Golconda Fort – It is a solidly built rectangular building with only one entrance from its north

Mosque of Ibrahim inside the golconda fort

💸In historic places like this, I have experienced hiring the services of a local (english speaking) tour guide makes the visit enjoyable and wholesome. Here, an elderly man wearing the official badge approached us (me and a friend) and said as there were two options, he will share his fees near a map of the fort. He took ₹50 from me, bought us the tickets and then near the map, told us he can show us the one-hour tour for ₹1250 or the longer 90 minutes tour for ₹1500, I said I wish to go for the full tour, but for two of us, Indians, this charge sounded costly and I will be happy to pay ₹1000 (₹500 for each) – without listening to me fully, he got offended and walked away. With that, our chance to hire a guide was lost and we saw the place on our own and with the help of Google.