The 16th century fort is a book in stone on history. Founded originally by the Kakatiya's in the 13th century the existing structure was expanded by the Qutab Shahi kings into a massive fort of granite with walls and ramparts extending some 5 km in circumfrence.

For nearly eighty years Golconda was the capital of Telangana, but in 1950, Sultan Quli Qutab Shah abandoned the fort and moved to the new city of Hyderabad. The fortress city within the walls was famous for the diamond trade and the Koh-i-noor diamond is said to have come from here. 

The historic Golconda fort lies 11km west of the city. The name originates from the Telugu words 'Golla' and 'Konda' -shepherd's hill. Famous features of Golconda include it's system of acoustics, palaces, factories, water supply system and the famous Rahban cannon, one of those used during the last seize of Golconda by Aurangazeb, to whom the fort ultimately fell.

Andhara Pradesh Tourism's sound and light show in the evening renacts the glory and grandeur of the Qutab Shahi dynasty.