“A people without the knowledge of their history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”
Marcus Garvey
Golconda Fort Complex & Surroundings, Hyderabad, India
Three square kilometres, that’s the area outer ramparts of the Golconda Fort cover. Tiny, right? But, just outside this area, are some great treasures of Ibrahim Bagh, including the Qutb Shahi tombs covered in the earlier posts.
I had entered through the Banjara Darwaza (Nomad’s Gate). As I exited through the Makki Darwaza (Mecca Gate), a spectacular view of the Bala Hisar Baradari drew my attention. This gate is part of a cantonment, and the military does not allow to capture pictures. Of the existing gates, this is the only one with a double entrance with space for defense in between.
Premamati Mosque
It is at a scant distance from the Mecca gate. A mosque without minarets, and five arches, this mosque served as the prayer hall for the twin dancers, Premamati and Taramati. The muezzin still calls out the dutiful for prayers at this abandoned site. On a hillock, the 17th century (1625 CE) mosque offers a quiet, reclusive atmosphere for reaching out to the Almighty.
Taramati Baradari
Close by, on another hillock, is Taramati’s Courtyard in striking red stone. Built as a Persian style garden and a guesthouse for travellers by Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah, he dedicated it to his favourite courtesan, Taramati.
A stretch of steps takes us to the two-storey structure. The rectangular pavilion on the top rests on a platform and is open from all sides with twelve arched entrances. Legend is that the twin courtesans would sing from this pavilion which the sultan could hear at the Bala Hisar Baradari.
Naya Qila (New Fort)
During the reign of Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah, Moghul emperor Aurangzeb targeted the Golconda Fort. This made the fort ramparts weak and vulnerable. To strengthen them, Sultan Abdullah began constructing the Naya Qila in 1656 AD with more additions being done during the reign of Abul Hasan Tana Shah.
This north-eastern extension of the fort has a massive nine-cusped bastion on its outer wall. Another smaller bastion holds a cannon used in the war with Aurangzeb. From here, one can see the Bala Hisar Baradari.
Also, a drain like water body which was once the canal supplying water to the Fort. Except for the giant Baobab and the mosque of Mullah Khayali, the rest of the area inside the fort is a private golf-course now.
The Elephant Tree and Mosque
Within the Naya Qila complex is the 400+-year-old Hatiyan ka Jhad (Elephant Tree) with a girth of 89 feet. Arab traders gifted it to Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. Between its trunks, there are cave-like spaces which can hold about 40 people within.
Next to it is the mosque of royal calligraphist and poet Mullah Khayali, built in 1569 AD during the rule of Ibrahim Qutb Shah.
This post brings us to the end of the Hyderabad Chronicles.
