Interesting and Unknown Facts About the Golconda Fort

Golconda Fort in Andhra Pradesh is a magnificent building that once protected an ancient city in an area famous for its diamond mines. The fort and surrounding ruined city make up one of the most popular attractions in Hyderabad. Book cheap flight tickets from Jaipur to Hyderabad to see the fort’s mosques and massive mud walls and experience the building’s incredible acoustics.

Here are some of the most interesting and unknown facts about the Golconda Fort:

1. It’s been believed that Golconda Fort has a secret tunnel and multiple escape routes. The secret underground tunnel starts at one of the durbar halls and goes on till one of the palaces located at the bottom of the hill. Initially, this route was meant as an escape route for the royal family, but it has never been found since. 


2. The Golconda Fort has inspired three places with a similar name in the United States. These locations in the USA include Arizona, Illinois and Nevada. A mining town of Golconda located in Arizona was named after Golconda Fort but is now a ghost town. The place was given a similar name because it had mines like the ones found close to the Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad. Sarahsville in Illinois was renamed to Golconda in 1817. Furthermore, there’s a Golconda town in Nevada too, which is now also a ghost town.


3. Kohinoor, Nur-Ul-Ain Diamond, Hope Diamond, Regent Diamond, and Darya-e Nur have been owned by the sultans of Golconda before they decided to move out of India. 


4. It has been believed that a person called Majzoob, who was considered to be a madman, stayed beside the Fateh Darwaza and protected it. Majzoob prevented Aurangzeb from invading the passage for a long time. Aurangzeb was able to attack the fort only when another officer in the Mughal armed force made Majzoob move from that position. 


5. A clap at a fixed point near the entrance can be heard evidently at the ‘Bala Hissar’ pavilion. Bala Hissar is the highest point of the fort. This clap served two purposes –as a warning if an intruder got in and as a way for the royal family to know that they have guests. There are some more architectural and acoustic marvels in the Golconda Fort, for example, whispers at certain corners of the halls which can be heard distinctly in the opposite corner.


6. It has been believed that Rama Das, a revenue official was imprisoned by Abul Hasan Tanah Shah, for misusing state funds to construct the Badrachalam Sri Rama Temple as well as carve pictures of Rama, Lakshman and Hanuman on a rock surface in the cell. It has further been believed that that Lord Rama appeared in Tanah Shah’s dreams and paid back the debt to get Rama Dasu released.


7. The Sri Jagadamba Maha temple located on top of the Golconda Fort is as famous as the fort itself. Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah, who was the king, was immensely popular among his subjects that he was named Malkabhiram by Hindus.


8. An African Baobab tree, known as Hatiyan ka Jhad by locals, is more than 400 years old. Located in the Naya Qila premises, this tree was gifted by Arabian traders to Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. 


9. Tourists of this fort are treated to a spectacular sound and light show, consisting of a story full of kings, love, murders, and the history behind this legendary structure which is undoubtedly a must watch scenario. 


10. The literal meaning of Golconda is Shepherd’s hill. The Golconda Fort has been rumoured to be constructed during the Kakatiya empire after a shepherd boy discovered an idol of a God there. 

After reading all these interesting facts about Golconda Fort, you must be dying to visit Hyderabad and explore this fort by yourself. Well, you can easily find cheap flight tickets from Jaipur to Hyderabad. Booking early will let you get the most out of your trip to Hyderabad. So, hurry up and plan a trip to Hyderabad soon!