Visiting The Ancient Fort Of Daulatabad

Located at a distance of 242 km from Pune, Daulatabad is one of the best-preserved forts of Maharashtra.

Daulatabad Fort was considered the most powerful fort during the medieval period. This fort is believed to be one of the seven wonders of Maharashtra for its exquisite 12th centre architecture.

The fort of Daulatabad was built by Yadava king Bhillama V in 1187 AD in a triangular shape. The city was initially called Deogiri- hills of god, it was renamed by Muhammad- bin-Tuglaq as Daulatabad- the abode of wealth.

It became the capital of Nizam Shahi dynasty in 1607 AD.

Daulatabad fort is built on a 200m-high conical hill spread across 94.83 hectares, with three encircling walls at equal intervals. The fort was enlarged and structures were added to it later.

It includes stepped wells, Kacheri (Court) building, Bharat Mata Temple, Hathi haud, Chand Minar, Aam Khas, Royal Hammam, Chini Mahal, Rang Mahal, Andheri, Baradari and so on..

The fort changed several hands; from the Mughals, Marathas and Peshwas, to finally the Nizams of Hyderabad in 1724 AD till independence.

It takes nearly 3 hours of walking and trekking to view the complete fort. Reaching the top of the fort requires you to climb 750 steps, though, it is worth it all when you get there.

Getting There:

Train: There are many trains available to Aurangabad and from the railway station you can board the public transport or hire a car to reach Daulatabad Fort.

Bus: There are buses from Swargate to Aurangabad and the fort is 27 km away from Aurangabad railway station. Several buses ply from Aurangabad to Daulatabad.

Car: Driving to Aurangabad is a lovely experience. Get on Pune – Ahmednagar highway – Beed- Kopargoan- Shani shignapur- Limbe Jalgoan – Aurangabad – Daulatabad Fort.

Places To Visit Near Daulatabad Fort:

Bibi ka Maqbara

Bibi ka Maqbara is a replica of Taj Mahal, a beautiful mausoleum built by Aurangzeb’s son Prince Azam Shah between 1651 AD and 1661 AD dedicated to Rabia-ul-Daurani alias Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Ata-Ullah, an architect and Hanspat Rai, an engineer designed the mausoleum.

The marble for Bibi ka Maqbara was brought from mines near Jaipur. It is one of the more popular tourist attractions in Maharashtra.

Soneri Mahal

Sonheri Mahal was built between 1651 AD and 1653 AD at a cost of Rs.50,000 and in 1934 AD by Bandalkand chief who accompanied Aurangzeb into the Dakhan. This which was later sold to the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Mahal was named after a painting in the Mahal which was once painted in gold.

It is a grand two storey building on the foothills of the Aurangabad Caves in the Paharsingpura, typically constructed in Rajput style.

The Soneri Mahal is now transformed into a museum.The museum also displays the remnants of regional palaces, antique items, coins, ancient Indian Pottery, painting, sculptures found in the local excavation.

Ellora Caves

Ellora caves are one of the historical caves locally known as Verul Leni as the caves are located near Verul on  Aurangabad-Chalisgaon road. The caves of Ellora were carved out of the charandri hil between the 6th and 10th centuries AD. Ellora caves have also beautiful Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples. It includes 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain caves.

Ellora caves are also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Maharashtra.

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#All images and details are for information only.