Qutub Shahi Tombs

Recently I visitied Qutub Shahi Tombs near Golconda Fort in Hyderabad. Some one had told us that there are 7 major tombs which you can see from Charminar, another fine example of Indo-sarsanic architecture in Hyderabad. 

We were awe struck when we entered the Qutub Shahi Tombs. Please enjoy the pictures

Golconda

del.icio.us Tags: History,Monuments,India,Photo,Destruction of Monuments,Kindoms,Princly States,Kohinoor,Diamond,Moghul,Aurengzeb,Hyderabad

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Golconda according to the web site of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department, I quote :

"Golconda Fort was built on a hill in 1143 AD & was strengthened & enlarged between 14th & 17th centuries. It has a chequered history with all the trappings of intrigue & murders. It has palaces, mosques, a hilltop pavilion & magnificent tombs. The founder of the Qutb Shahi dynasty Sultan Quli was murdered at the behest of his son. The last of the Qutb Shahis, Abul Hassan was betrayed by his lieutenants, leading to the fall of the impregnable Golconda in the hands of the Moghals under Aurangzeb in 1687. The fort is famous for its acoustics & ingenious water supply & drainage system.

Located at a distance of 13 Kms from Hyderabad is a magnificent structure that reflects the genius of its builders with walled enclosures and palaces on the hillock. The fort was earlier constructed with mud and white cement, was later fortified by the Mogul rulers and well known for its acoustics, ingenious water supply and drainage system all over the world. "

Golconda has another fame to it's credit, The Kohinoor, the Diamond which is the crown jewel of British Monarchy was discovered in Golconda. Go ahead, Google it, you will get lots of interesting tidbits.

I visited Golconda, may be after 20-25 years or even more. It was a beautiful sight at first. Then my heart was thoroughly saddened to see the filth and destruction caused by the visitors to this magnificent and historically important monument.

In the evenings (starts at about 7.30 PM local time) there is a Sound and Light show arranged by the Tourism Department, which narrates the Saga of Golconda with Folk Songs, Gazhals and sound effects. Its worth attending every penny or cent which ever is your currency.

 

Here is the map of Golconda:

 

Here are the pictures from my recent trip to Golconda:

 

 

 

 

Now comes the ugly pictures. I want you to see and shame those people who indulge in these kind's of activities, destroying the environment and beauty.

 

 

 

 

Bhuvanagiri. Interesting places

del.icio.us Tags: travel,history,india,hyderabad,forts,chalukya

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Bhongir Fort

Just 48 kms from Hyderabad this magnificent fort offers the real offbeat weekend getaway for those who appreciate the rare things of the past.

The splendid historical fort with the awe-inspiring rock and the aesthetically fortified courts which have stood the ravages of time stir the imagination of the tourists

Bhongir fort was built on an isolated rock by the western Chalukya ruler Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI in the year 1076 and was thus named after him as Tribhuvanagiri. This name gradually became Bhuvanagiri and subsequently Bhongir.

This fort is located upon a single hill More than 500 feet high and spread over an area of 40 acres,It has a unique egg-shaped construction with two entry points protected by huge rocks

A moat encircles the fort, which has a wide underground chamber, trap doors, an armory, stables, ponds and wells

A deep gash in the rock was dammed up at several places, thus creating a series of reservoirs collecting rain water. Lotuses still grow in the pools today.

A panoramic view of the surrounding countryside is available from the fort area.

 

Bhongir is on the way to Warrangal from Hyderabad and is on NH-202. Road is fairly good and scenery beautiful. It is advised to travel to Bhongir in the evening, but, it is better to finish the climbing by 6 in the evening as the low light might be a problem once darkness sets in. Good shoes will reduces the strain on your legs. In summer, the rocks will be blistering hot.

Light cotton clothes, a better option. Umbrella's good idea too, but the winds can be a strain on your arms when you have umbrella.

The climb is moderately difficult.

Impressive.....

 

  The stairs take you through the history.

 

 

 

 

Bhongir town from the top. The noise from the bus-stand at the foot of the hills is ugly even when you climb up. Its a noisy and ugly experience. People litter, without concern about the value of such magnificent structure.

 

I saw these wild flowers on the way to the top. Pretty ear studs.

 

At about 6 in the evening thousands of kits and eagles over the hills and the fort.

Bhongir Map

View Larger Map

 

 

 

Other links related to Bhongir:

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/183752819CfGOUK

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhuvanagiri,_AndhraPradesh

http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/tree/21/bhongir.htm

http://wikimapia.org/country/India/Andhra_Pradesh/Bhongir/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hirsuteursus/page5/

 

http://sandeepchandna.blogspot.com/2006/07/bike-trip-to-bhuvangiri-fort.html

http://nharihar.blogspot.com/2007/06/kanushs-first-trek-fort-bhongir-june.html

http://www.geocities.com/veerabadran/Footplate/fplat3.htm

http://www.indiaprofile.com/tourist-attractions/andhra-pradesh/monuments/bhongir-fort-bhongir.html

http://www3.utsidan.se/cykelresan/dagbok_020212.shtml

http://picasaweb.google.com/luboslav.buch/081201NedelaBhongirFortTemple/photo#5141860228244697074

http://travel.chrisclicks.com/category/bhongir-fort/