Golconda Fort

One of the most distinctive features of the Golconda Fort is that when you stand in the patio of the fort and clap your hands, the echo can be heard at the highest point of the fort. Golconda Fort is located in the western part of Hyderabad city. It was originally known as Mankal, and built on a hilltop in the year 1143. It was originally a mud fort under the reign of the Rajah of Warangal. Later, it was fortified between the 14th and 17th centuries by the Bahmani Sultans and then the ruling Qutub Shahi dynasty. Golconda was the principal capital of the Qutub Shahi kings. The inner fort contains ruins of palaces, mosques and a hilltop pavilion, which rises about 130 meters high and gives a bird’s eye view. Golconda Fort is undoubtedly one of the most magnificent fortress complexes in India. The Qutub Shahis’ reign at Golconda ended in 1687 when it was run over by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who intentionally left it in ruins. Golconda still boasts of mounted cannons, four drawbridges, eight gateways, and majestic halls, magazines, stables, etc. The Sound & Light Show at Golconda Fort, operated by the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC), reveals the historical backdrop of the fort and, with a colorful laser lighting system and excellent sound track that leaves visitors completely spellbound.

Warangal Fort

Warangal is recognised as one of the heritage cities of India. It is 145 km away from the state capital Hyderabad. It is also the second-largest city in the state of Telangana. The city was the capital of the great Kakatiya rulers who reigned between the 12th and 14th centuries. According to the history of Warangal, the Prola Raja of the great Kakatiya dynasty built the beautiful city in the 12th century. The Kakatiyas, who ruled the place for more than 200 years, have left the succeeding generations many grand monuments and architectural wonders like the famous Warangal Fort, Swayambhu Temple and many other amazing ancient structures. The Warangal Fort, which is the main attraction of the city is spread over a radius of 19 kilometers between Warangal and Hanamkonda. The fort was constructed in the 13th century during the reign of the Kakatiya King Ganapati Deva. The Warangal Fort is most famous for its graceful and finitely carved arches and pillars. This fort has four large stone gateways. Warangal Fort is one of the standout tourist attractions and is also regarded as one of the most excellent examples of Kakatiya architecture. There also happens to be a Shiva temple inside the fort. Those interested in medieval history and architecture can gain a lot of knowledge from in and around the fort.

Medak Fort

Back in those days, this fort was known for its beauty and architectural work.This fort was built by Kakatiyan ruler, Pratapa Rudra in the 12th century, but lost it to the Qutub Shahis. It occupies a place of pride in the heart of the local population.This fort offers a picturesque view to the travelers of the town from atop. Medak, which is situated close to 80 kms from Hyderabad, is definitely an ideal location for visitors looking for a quick weekend getaway. It hardly takes about 10 minutes from the town to reach the fort. If you wish to get to the top of this beautiful fort, you need to boost up your energy as a stretch of more than 500 steps await you. This enormous fort was built about 800 years ago. The fort demands one's attention with its typical construction. It is elevated at about 90 meters height from the ground level and is spread in about 100 acres in the hilly region. It is believed that the Medak Fort which was built by the great Kakatiyas was renovated by the royal Qutub Shahis some 400 years ago. On the top of the third gate, stands out the 'Ganda Bherunda,' the emblem of Vijayanagara Empire built by the great ruler Srikrishna Devaraya. The historic fort, which was graced by two great dynasties — Kakatiyas and Qutub Shahis is one of the main attractions of Medak. This 12th-century piece of excellence has its own testimony attributing to the Kakatiyan glory during its golden reign. The fort houses a small lake, a barrack and a warehouse.

Rachakonda Fort

This fort was built in the 14th century and has many temples and gateways. It has a serene view of the surroundings because of the green landscapes all around, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions. Although major areas of this fort have been dilapidated, this place still stands high to attract a number of visitors. Telangana region is the home of the incredible Rachakonda Fort. The fort stands as a glorious demonstration of the Velama rulers and their power. However, this epitome of the marveling medieval Hindu art and culture still attracts scores of people. Another striking feature of this temple is that it perfectly adheres to the principles of Vastu Shastra, which influences most of the Hindu architecture.

The Velama rulers, the kings who built this small but very strong Rachakonda fort, had established their stronghold over the Telangana region after the Kakatiyas and before the Bahmani era.The fort is built on two floors. The fort displays a breathtaking view, when you stand at its South East corner. The entrance of the Rachakonda fort serves as an outstanding example of monolith pillars. The uniqueness of this fort lies in its construction; it has been built without using any mortar in cyclopean masonry. The fort is also adorned with beams and lintels with enthralling rock cut walls. Each and every inch of this fort provides plenty of evidence to feed the high appetite of history lovers.The history of the Rachakonda fort is intricately woven with the history of the Velama rulers.

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