Golconda Fort - History

Golconda fort was previously called Mankal and was built by Rajah of Warangal in 1143. The fort was built of mud on a hilltop.

Golconda Fort under Kakatiya and Musunuri Dynasties

Kakatiya dynasty built the Golconda fort to defend the western part of their kingdom. The fort was built on top of a granite hill. Rani Rudrama Devi and her successor Prataparudra strengthened the fort further. After this, Musunuri dynasty took over the fort by defeating Tughlaqi army. Later the fort was given to the rulers of Bahmani sultanate by Musunuri Kapaya Nayak.

Golconda Fort under Bahmani Sultanate and Qutb Shahi Dynasty

Bahmani Sultanate got the fort from Musunuri dynasty. Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk was sent by the Bahmani Sultanate as a governor of Hyderabad. Later Bahmani dynasty declined and Quli Qutb–ul-Mulk founded the Qutb Shahi dynasty. The kings of this dynasty strengthened the fort and expanded it. The kings of Qutb Shahi dynasty later shifted the capital to Hyderabad in 1590. The Mughal Emperor Aurungzeb besieged the fort for one year and its ruin started from 1687

Diamonds in Golconda Fort

The mines in the fort are popular for producing diamonds like Kohinoor, the Hope diamond, and many others. The diamonds were produced in Kollur, Parotala, and Atkur mines. The mines in the city made it a trading center of diamonds. These mines helped the kings of Qutb Shahi dynasty and Nizams to become rich.