Daulatabad(Devgiri) Fort (Daulatabad)

India / Maharashtra / Khuldabad / Daulatabad
 castle, mountain, fortification
Once known as 'Devgiri', this magnificent 12th century fortress stands on a hill just 13 kms from Aurangabad. It was given the name Daulatabad, the 'city of fortune', by Muhammad Tughlaq, Sultan of Delhi. Initially a Yadav stronghold, it passed through the hands of several dynasties in the Deccan. One of the world's best preserved fort of medieval times, surviving virtually unaltered, Daulatabad yet displays the character that made it invincible
The strategic defences of this fort are so strong, that historians are puzzled at 'What was it that they tried to protect here?'. Arguably amongst the best constructed forts all over the world, this fort never in its lifetime witnessed a battle. Only once was the power transferred on this fort, and that too was by treachery!
It has 7 lines of defence all the way up to the Baradari (palatial building on the top) and each line is constructed in such a way, that even if that line is captured, it is impossible to use it to attack the fort by directing the fire inwards.
A series of secret, quizzical, subterranean passages lie coiled like a python amidst the fort. Here flaring torches were thrust upon an unwary enemy. Or hot oil poured down his path, as he deliberated in the labyrinth. Also the heat from a brazier was blown into the passage by a process of suction suffocating the entire garrison within. 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 hostile troops could scale the height
The moat, 40 ft. deep and carved into solid rock with mechanical drawbridges teemed with crocodiles. A 5-kilometer sturdy wall, artificial scarping and a complicated series of defenses made Daulatabad impregnable
The 30-meter high Chand Minar (Tower) built much later with 3 circular galleries had a defensive and religious role in the fortress
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daulatabad,_Maharashtra
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   19°56'38"N   75°12'56"E

Comments

  • one of the excellent fort in Maharashtra and it is well maintained view of Daulatabad fort hill is flanked by chand minar as same as Kutub minar everyone must visit the fort with local guide to know the techniques involved in it please refer the photograph Vinay Patil - vpasso@rediffmail.com
  • Really fascinating fort. Read my travelog: http://www.amukherjeeworld.net/anamika/world_view/ajanta_ellora_3.html
  • tashi pahata hi jahagir jadhavanchi(jijauche maher)hote.parantu jasta kaal auranjazebane rajya kela. jai maharashtra.
  • We Like This place very much .We Salute Yadav Emporer, Who made It & We Hate Allauddin Khilji,Who distroy it.
This article was last modified 13 years ago