Golconda Fort - Architecture
Golconda Fort is a very large fort consisting of temples, mosques, palaces, halls, apartments and other structures. The fort is spread in around 11km area and has beautiful architecture. The fort is divided into four forts each having apartments, worship places, halls, etc.
Gates
Golconda Fort has eight gates out of which the main gate is Fateh Darwaza or the Victory Gate. This gate was built to commemorate the victorious march of Mughal Emperor Aurungzeb. The gate has steel spikes to protect it from elephants. The length of the gate is 25ft and width is 13ft.
Balahisar Darwaza was built according to Nawabi style. The gate is very magnificent and was used to inform the residents of the fort about the danger. This was done through clapping which could be heard to top of the fort. There are statues of mystical beasts and lions on both sides of the gate.
Eastern gate is the only gate through which tourists can enter the fort. It is the biggest entrance of the fort.
Mosques
Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah Mosque − was built by Ibrahim the son of Quli Qutb Shah. After crossing the main gate, there are staircases that lead to the mosque. The mosque has now been ruined but still two minarets can be found along with three entrances adjacent to each other.
Taramati Mosque − was built by Taramati in 1518 during the reign of Ibrahim Qutb Shah. The mosque includes one minaret each on the four corners. The courtyard of the mosque is very big which reaches the ramparts
Temples
Sri Jagdamba Mahakali Temple is located on top of the fort. It is believed that the temple was built around 900 years ago. The temple was built between the Ibrahim mosque and emperor’s palace. The temple is very small in size but still many devotees come to pray here. The Bonalu festival is especially celebrated here. It is believed that there was a tunnel under the temple to escape to Charminar in case of attack or invasion.
Rama Temple was built inside the jail. According to a legend, Abul Hasan jailed Ramdas because he misused the treasury so he was jailed. In the jail, he drew the pictures of Rama, Lakshman and Hanuman. Yellamma Devi Temple was built at the top where a fair is held in the month of Ashada.
Palaces
The ruins of royal palaces can be found in the fort. The royal palaces were built for the emperors and their wives. There were many other palaces which have now been ruined and only few parts of those palaces can be found.
