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Questions and Answers
True or false: Golconda Fort was built by the Hindu Kakatiya kings in the 13th century?
True
True or false: Golconda Fort was the capital and fortress city of the Qutub Shahi kingdom?
True
True or false: Golconda Fort is located near Hyderabad?
True
True or false: Golconda Fort is built on a 400 ft high granite rock?
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True or false: Visitors enter Golconda Fort through the 'Fateh Darwaza' (Victory Gate)?
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True or false: There are royal apartments and halls, temples, mosques, magazines, stables, etc. inside Golconda Fort?
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True or false: Aurangazab was ready to conquer Golconda Fort?
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True or false: Majzoob, a holy madman, was believed to be the actual protector of Golconda Fort?
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True or false: The presence of the holy madman prevented Aurangazab's troops from infiltrating the gateway?
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True or false: Golconda Fort was the center of a flourishing diamond trade?
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According to a legend, a ______ boy came across an idol on the hill.
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Golconda or 'Golla Konda' (shepherd's ______) is a 13th century fort, built by the Hindu Kakatiya kings.
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In the 16th century, Golkonda was the ______ and fortress city of the Qutub Shahi kingdom, near Hyderabad.
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Visitors enter through the 'Fateh Darwaza' (______ Gate) studded with giant iron spikes (to prevent elephants from battering it down).
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Madhu Votteri, a practising ______ architect and author of 'A Guide To The Heritage of Hyderabad', talks about a holy madman who was believed to be the actual protector of the Fort.
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According to historians, a number of travellers came in and out of the fort, through the caravan route although not all could enter the fort immediately as it took them a lot of time and money to make their way through the gates of the ______. ‘So they would create make-shift settlements outside to live in,’ says Madhu.
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When the French traveller and jeweller Jean-Baptiste Tavernier reached Golconda in 1653, he found a ______ nearly two 'leagues in length' and requiring a large garrison for its defence.
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It was a town where the king kept his ______.
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It was also an international jewellery bazaar, where traders from as far away as Arabia, Persia, Central Asia and Europe converged to barter for precious stones under the shade of its vast ______ trees.
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The Great Mughal Diamond, said by its owner, the Mughal Emperor Babur, to be 'equal in value to one day's food of all the people in the world' came from mines around ______, as did the Koh-i-Noor and dozens of other priceless gems.
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Visitors enter Golconda Fort through the 'Fateh Darwaza' (______ Gate) studded with giant iron spikes (to prevent elephants from battering it down)
Signup and view all the answers
According to historians, a number of travellers came in and out of the fort, through the caravan route although not all could enter the fort immediately as it took them a lot of time and money to make their way through the gates of the ______. ‘So they would create make-shift settlements outside to live in,’ says Madhu
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It was also an international jewellery bazaar, where traders from as far away as Arabia, Persia, Central Asia and Europe converged to barter for precious stones under the shade of its vast ______ trees
Signup and view all the answers
The Great Mughal Diamond, said by its owner, the Mughal Emperor Babur, to be 'equal in value to one day's food of all the people in the world' came from mines around ______, as did the Koh-i-Noor and dozens of other priceless gems
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Golconda or 'Golla Konda' (shepherd's ______) is a 13th century fort, built by the Hindu Kakatiya kings
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According to Madhu, a hand clap at a certain point at the entrance of Golconda Fort can be heard clearly at the 'Bala Hissar' ______, the highest point almost a kilometre away.
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The Sri Jagadamba Maha ______ atop Golconda is as famous as the fort itself.
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During the reign of Abdullah Qutub Shah, he used to hear a woman's voice as she sang for travellers at the sarai, while he sat kilometres away at ______ Fort.
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When the French traveller and jeweller Jean-Baptiste Tavernier reached Golconda in 1653, he found a ______ nearly two 'leagues in length' and requiring a large garrison for its defence.
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Golconda was an international jewellery bazaar, where traders from as far away as Arabia, Persia, Central Asia and Europe converged to barter for precious stones under the shade of its vast ______ trees.
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Study Notes
Golconda Fort Overview
- Built by the Hindu Kakatiya kings in the 13th century
- Served as the capital and fortress city of the Qutub Shahi kingdom in the 16th century
- Located near Hyderabad, India
- Constructed on a granite rock approximately 400 feet high
Structural Features
- Visitors enter through 'Fateh Darwaza' (Victory Gate), which is fortified with giant iron spikes to deter elephants
- The fort complex includes royal apartments, halls, temples, mosques, magazines, stables, and more
- A hand clap at a specific point within the fort can be heard clearly at 'Bala Hissar,' nearly a kilometer away
Historical Significance
- Golconda Fort was a pivotal center for diamond trade, attracting traders from Arabia, Persia, Central Asia, and Europe
- The Great Mughal Diamond, valued by Mughal Emperor Babur, came from nearby mines, alongside other famous gems like the Koh-i-Noor
- A legend suggests a shepherd boy discovered an idol on the hill, giving Golconda its name 'Golla Konda' (shepherd's hill)
Military History
- Aurangazeb aimed to conquer Golconda Fort but reportedly faced challenges
- Majzoob, a holy madman, was considered the protector of the fort, believed to have thwarted Aurangazeb's troops from breaching its gates
Cultural Impact
- Golconda was an international jewelry bazaar, where trade significantly flourished under its large trees providing shade
- Abdullah Qutub Shah, during his reign, would hear melodic singing from a woman at the sarai while he was a considerable distance away
Travel and Accessibility
- Travelers often created makeshift settlements outside the fort since entry required time and resources due to its fortified gates
- The fort housed a large garrison for defense purposes, reflecting its importance as a military stronghold
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Description
Test your knowledge on the fascinating history of Golconda Fort in Hyderabad. Discover the true stories behind this ancient monument and see if you can separate fact from fiction.
