Daulatabad, once known as Devagiri or Deogiri is located at around 15 kms from the city of Aurangabad. It lies on the way to the famous Ellora caves. Driving through the foot of the fort to Ellora caves, we had made a mental note to visit that place on our way back.
However, the delay in arrival to the fort in the evening and our tiredness (after much walking exploring Ellora caves) had left us with little enthusiasm to explore the fort that was considered as an 'invincible fort' in earlier days. Nevertheless, we had decided to visit the place.
The topmost part of fort seen on our way to Ellor caves...
Rising above a conical shaped hill at a height of about 600 feet, this 'Hill of Gods' was built by Bhillama V of the Yadava dynasty in 1187. The hill is shaped like a smooth tortoise's back. In 14th century Muhammad Bin Tugluq of Delhi Sultanate renamed it as Daulatabad (abode of wealth) and shifted the entire capital from Delhi to Daulatabad. Ironically, his administration failed miserably due to shortage of water and various other reasons and lost his wealth. He thus re- shifted the entire population to Delhi which gained him the title of a 'mad king'.
We had reached the entrance of the fort almost during closing time which had left us with little time to trek through the entire fort and reach the top. Thus, we had walked past through many important spots without stopping much or stopping just to click a few pictures and not going through the history part of it.
Canons placed at the entrance...
Walkway leading to Chand Minar and other parts of the fort...
The fort has only one entrance/ exit. This was done deliberately to confuse the enemy soldiers. The wooden entrance gate is studded with pointed spikes to wound the elephants that the enemies used to break open the gates. As we had entered the main gate, we had come across a vast courtyard that housed several canons of different sizes. Walking past few watchtowers and curved paths, we reached a stoned path which reminded us of the Golconda fort in Hyderabad. This is where the famous Chand Minar of the fort became visible.
Chand Minar was built by Bahamani king Hasan Gangu Bahamani, also known as Alauddin Bahaman Shah in 1358. He built the Chand Minar as a replica of the Qutb Minar in Delhi. He employed architects from Iran who used Lapis Lazuli and Red Ochre to colour the Minar. As we had passed through various passages to reach the top of the hill, we had realized that Chand Minar was visible from almost all corners and directions.
Another view of Chand Minar...
Chini Mahal...
Menda Canon...
A move through some more passages had led us to Chini Mahal, the royal prison built by Aurangzeb. Abul Hasan Tana Shah of Qutb Shahi dynasty of Hyderabad was kept as a prisoner in this royal prison. At a later period Shivaji's son Sambhaji maharaj too was kept in the same prison. A massive canon called the Menda Canon made of metal sits above Chini Mahal with Aurangzeb's name inscribed on it.
Though the number of visitors to the fort were limited during that hour, many of them present were local youths simply vandalizing and throwing plastic bottles into the trench that lay ahead of Chini Mahal. An elderly couple who were the guards were trying relentlessly to stop them from dirtying the place. The wide trench that led to the top most part of the fort had to be crossed over by an iron bridge (it was made of leather in earlier days). The moat would be filled with water and crocodiles were left in the water to act as barriers to enemy attacks. The end of bridge would lead one to Bhool Bhulaiya or the Maze. A descend of small steps was built to look like a tunnel leading towards passageways to confuse the enemy soldiers. The pathways has windows where the soldiers hid themselves and poured hot oil to attack the enemies.
Trench below the bridge...
We did not reach up to the top point i.e. Baradari as time did not permit us. We had skipped the Bharat Mata temple and few other important parts as well. Heading back, we were fortunate to witness the setting sun against the Chand Minar indicating a perfect end for the day.
However, the delay in arrival to the fort in the evening and our tiredness (after much walking exploring Ellora caves) had left us with little enthusiasm to explore the fort that was considered as an 'invincible fort' in earlier days. Nevertheless, we had decided to visit the place.
Rising above a conical shaped hill at a height of about 600 feet, this 'Hill of Gods' was built by Bhillama V of the Yadava dynasty in 1187. The hill is shaped like a smooth tortoise's back. In 14th century Muhammad Bin Tugluq of Delhi Sultanate renamed it as Daulatabad (abode of wealth) and shifted the entire capital from Delhi to Daulatabad. Ironically, his administration failed miserably due to shortage of water and various other reasons and lost his wealth. He thus re- shifted the entire population to Delhi which gained him the title of a 'mad king'.
We had reached the entrance of the fort almost during closing time which had left us with little time to trek through the entire fort and reach the top. Thus, we had walked past through many important spots without stopping much or stopping just to click a few pictures and not going through the history part of it.
Canons placed at the entrance...
Walkway leading to Chand Minar and other parts of the fort...
The fort has only one entrance/ exit. This was done deliberately to confuse the enemy soldiers. The wooden entrance gate is studded with pointed spikes to wound the elephants that the enemies used to break open the gates. As we had entered the main gate, we had come across a vast courtyard that housed several canons of different sizes. Walking past few watchtowers and curved paths, we reached a stoned path which reminded us of the Golconda fort in Hyderabad. This is where the famous Chand Minar of the fort became visible.
Chand Minar was built by Bahamani king Hasan Gangu Bahamani, also known as Alauddin Bahaman Shah in 1358. He built the Chand Minar as a replica of the Qutb Minar in Delhi. He employed architects from Iran who used Lapis Lazuli and Red Ochre to colour the Minar. As we had passed through various passages to reach the top of the hill, we had realized that Chand Minar was visible from almost all corners and directions.
Another view of Chand Minar...
Chini Mahal...
Menda Canon...
A move through some more passages had led us to Chini Mahal, the royal prison built by Aurangzeb. Abul Hasan Tana Shah of Qutb Shahi dynasty of Hyderabad was kept as a prisoner in this royal prison. At a later period Shivaji's son Sambhaji maharaj too was kept in the same prison. A massive canon called the Menda Canon made of metal sits above Chini Mahal with Aurangzeb's name inscribed on it.
Though the number of visitors to the fort were limited during that hour, many of them present were local youths simply vandalizing and throwing plastic bottles into the trench that lay ahead of Chini Mahal. An elderly couple who were the guards were trying relentlessly to stop them from dirtying the place. The wide trench that led to the top most part of the fort had to be crossed over by an iron bridge (it was made of leather in earlier days). The moat would be filled with water and crocodiles were left in the water to act as barriers to enemy attacks. The end of bridge would lead one to Bhool Bhulaiya or the Maze. A descend of small steps was built to look like a tunnel leading towards passageways to confuse the enemy soldiers. The pathways has windows where the soldiers hid themselves and poured hot oil to attack the enemies.
Trench below the bridge...
We did not reach up to the top point i.e. Baradari as time did not permit us. We had skipped the Bharat Mata temple and few other important parts as well. Heading back, we were fortunate to witness the setting sun against the Chand Minar indicating a perfect end for the day.
