Framing the fort

As Golconda fort turns 500, a new book throws light on the medieval citadel

The sigh of history rises over ruins, not over landscapes. Centuries after the citadel was built it continues to draw sighs of ecstasy. People from far and wide flock to pore over the history etched on its stones. Golconda citadel , seat of power of the medieval Qutb Shahi sultanate, never fails to evoke interest. As it turns 500 years, there are fresh aspects to be gleaned from a new book that has just been released.

Well known historian, M A Qaiyum, who knows the landmarks of Hyderabad like the back of his hand, takes readers on a guided tour of the ancient fortress in his book Golconda - Historical Events . In the process, he gives a fresh view on the factors that shaped the destiny of this wonderful monument during the times of Kakatiyas, Bahmanis, Qutb Shahis and Moghuls. The book comes not a day too early as there is a renewed interest in the magnificent ruins of Golconda.

Qaiyum, who served the Department of Archaeology and Museums, presents a refreshing overview of the Golconda fort and seeks to quench the thirst of students of history by throwing light on little known facts. During his career spanning four decades, he has gained first hand knowledge of Qutb Shahi, Moghul and Asif Jahi architecture and this reflects in the book. “It is not meant to be a coffee table book, rather a serious study of the life and times of the inhabitants of the fort particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries,” he says.

The book focuses on the conceptional unity, architectural elegance, structural symmetry, colour consciousness created by enamelled tiles, stucco and incised plaster ornamentation. He explains in detail how the palaces, kiosks, garden pavilion, hammams, sarais, khanqas, madrasas, tombs, tanks, aqueducts created by the Qutb Shahi rulers remain unrivalled works of architecture and engineering even today.

Qaiyum dwells at length on the unique water supply system of the Golconda fort. It was the Durg talab on the north-western side of the hillocks which served as the life line for the inhabitants of the fort, taking water through the ramparts to reach different levels in the palaces. The book traces the three km long journey of the main channel passing through the fort, touching the northern side of the precincts of the Qutb Shahi tombs and finally ending in small and irregular cisterns near the outer wall of the fort.

Richly illustrated, the 208-page book is a collector’s issue. Qaiyum, who guided Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, British Viceroys and other royal visitors on the tour of Golconda Fort and the Qutb Shahi tombs, has included some rare pictures in his book. There is also the photo of US President’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, who recently visited the Golconda Fort.

The book captures the last scene of pomp of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Interestingly, it was Bala Hissar, the highest point of the fort, where Sultan Quli, the first Qutb Shahi ruler was crowned and it was again here that the last ruler, Abdul Hasan Tana Shah, was dethroned and taken prisoner by the Aurangazeb army in 1687. The kingdom was gained and lost over this hillock in a matter of 169 years.

Wherever one sets foot on the ancient ruins there is a piece of interesting history. And you can rediscover it all through the book.

Qaiyum dwells at length on the unique water supply system of the Golconda fort. It was the Durg talab on the north-western side of the hillocks which served as the life line for the inhabitants of the fort.

 J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu

Dated January 31,2018