DAULATABAD FORT
AT
AURANGABAD
Daulatabad Fort is 14 kilometer away from Aurangabad City of Maharastra
State of India. It is magnificent 12th century fortress stands on a hill, Built
by Raja Bhillamraj once known as 'Devgiri', Initially a Yadav stronghold, it
passed through the hands of several dynasties in the Deccan. The ‘Daulatabad’
(city of fortune) name was give by Muhamad Tughlaq, Sultan of Delhi.
When Muhammad Tughlak ascended the Delhi throne, he was so taken by the
fortress that he decided to move his court and capital there, renaming it
Daulatabad, "the City of Fortune". He ordered the entire population
of Delhi to move out en masse to the new capital.
Daulatabad Fort, a rock-hewn fortress dominating the landscape, from a
600 feet high mesa-like flat terrain, Daulatabad Fort is one of the world's
best preserved Fort, survived without being altered. Daulatabad Fort is said to
be only occupied by cheating. A series of secret, puzzled, endless passages
lounge curved like a python amidst the fort.
Here blazing torches were push upon enemies. Or hot oil poured down his
path, as he deliberated in the maze. The Fort itself lies in the body of an
isolated hill; the steep hill - sides at the base falling so sharply to the
moat that no aggressive troops could scale the height. The moat, 40 feet deep
with mechanical drawbridges full with crocodiles.
The defenses were extended during Muhammad Tughlak, battlements and
fortresses were built, mounted with huge bronze cannons, and several rings of
walls with battlements guarded the approach. Several inner walls with heavy
iron gates fitted with elephant spikes were encircled by a six kilometer outer
wall.
Inside these walls is a 40 feet deep moat, with a drawbridge, leading to
the original citadel. The plateau's solid rock sides were then scraped
vertically flat to a height of 250 ft., for extra added unease of access.
A 5 kilometer strong wall, artificial scarping and a complicated series
of defenses made Daulatabad Fort secure. The 30 meter high Chand Minar (Tower)
built much later with 3 circular balconies had a defensive and religious role
in the Fortress.
This circular tower with three balconies has similar features to Qutub
Minar in Delhi. The lowest part of the minar is a square construction with
arch-shaped openings, and 'mehrab' like niches inside. It may have functioned
as a small mosque. In one corner of the construction, there is a Persian
inscription. The base of the Chand Minar was built in the Tugluq period,
whereas the central part is assumed to have been built by Ala ad-Din Hasan in
1346, to celebrate the conquer of Daulatabad Fort.
By Air
The nearest airport is at Aurangabad, 22 kms away from Daulatabad Fort.
Aurangabad has a good national airport, which is well connected to major cities
like Mumbai, Delhi & Hyderabad.
By Train
Aurangabad Railway station is nearest one to Daulatabad Fort, which is
approximately 15 kms away. There are a plenty of private car services you can
hire or you can avail the bus service from railway station to the fort.
By Bus
There are regular buses from Aurangabad to Daulatabad Fort. Alternative
you can hire private car, there are plenty of tour operator you can avail
service from. The drive from Aurangabad to Daulatabad Fort takes half hour.
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