Hyderabad - Part 2

Our morning tours in Hyderabad.

Golconda Fort

Amazing! this fort was built in the 16th Century and occupied until the late 17th Century when a "regime change" (to use the modern term) caused it to fall into disrepair. It had such amenities as natural air-conditioning and plumbing. The fort rises about 400 ft (120 m) above the surrounding plateau.

A view of the top of the fort from the royal living quarters. The structure at the top of the hill is where the king held court. There is also a mosque and a Hindu temple at the top.

The reverse view -- the living quarters as seen from the top of the fort.

Here you can see how the fort is built upon and incorporates the huge boulders that comprise its "hillock". There are several of these hillocks around Hyderabad.

A portion of the stairs that lead from the royal living quarters to the court. There were separate paths to the top for royalty, soldiers, and common folk. The soldiers had the most direct route so that they could get from the top to the bottom (or vice versa) quickly.

The door in the inner wall is studded to deter an attack using elephants.

Yours truly at the top of the fort.

Qutb Shahi Tombs

These are the tombs of the Golconda Fort kings. While in better repair than the fort, they, too, have been subject to the ravages of time and monsoons.

One of about two dozen tombs of the Qutb Shahi dynasty -- 6 kings plus family and close friends.