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MM212 Says: The first line of defence in Daulatabad is the outer ramparts, called the Amberkot. It covers a vast area and is pierced by a number of gates, through which passes the main road linking Aurangabad and Ellora. The area within the Amberkot contains agricultural lands, as well...
MM212 Says: The Mahakot is the main fortified wall encircling the Daulatabad Fort and the second line of defence after the Amberkot. It consists of a double wall with numerous bastions. The First Gate in the Mahakot is the main visitors' entrance, which has survived intact, along with...
MM212 Says: The blue Chinese tiles that once covered this palace earned it the name Chini Mahal, or "Chinese Palace". Only fragments of these tiles have survived (see attached photos) to remind us of the long-gone opulence. In 1687, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb imprisoned the last...
MM212 Says: Within the Kalakot walls is this round bastion in the attached photo. On top of it rests an impressive 17th century cannon that rotates as needed. The cannon is beautifully decorated and its head is in the shape of a ram's head. An inscription on the cannon contains the name...
MM212 Says: The best preserved structure in the Daulatabad Fort, the Baradari, commands views over the Fort and the surrounding plains. The octagonal shaped palace with arched windows is where the rulers resided within the mighty protection of the citadel. The palace was built in the...
MM212 Says: Any invader who miraculously made it past the fortified walls and across the moat would have been faced with the final obstacle in this formidable fort. The Citadel, where the rulers lived, lies on top of a hill whose sides were smoothened out to prevent anyone from...
MM212 Says: A small domed Hindu temple dedicated to the god Ganesh is located in the citadel and overlooks the entire Fort. The temple was built in the 18th century during the short rule of the Peshwa dynasty.
MM212 Says: Another ruined palace within the Kalakot ramparts, Nizamshahi Mahal carries the name of the Nizam Shahi dynasty which ruled Daulatabad from 1490 until Aurangzeb conquered the area. The palace exhibits typical Islamic architecture of India, with pointed arches and geometric...
MM212 Says: Up a few steps from the Main Gate of the Kalakot is the second gate. It is more monumental than defensive and stands in partial ruins. Beyond it are additional steps that lead to the bridge across the moat.
MM212 Says: A stairway leading to a monumental domed structure marks the main entrance of Jami Masjid, the grand mosque of Daulatabad. The gateway has a double pointed archway topped by a dome, with Islamic style motifs. It is said that the gateway was added well after the construction...
MM212 Says: In 1952, a modern iron bridge was installed along the path leading the citadel to facilitate crossing. Originally, the moat had two bridges: a stone bridge and a leather (!) bridge. The stone bridge, which has survived in ruins, lies deep in the moat, connected by stairs,...
MM212 Says: The fourth line of defence in the Daultabad Fort is the deep rock cut moat that surrounds the citadel. It is considered an incredible engineering feat, 16 metres wide and 20 metres deep. The water in the moat, filled with crocodiles, was controlled by a dam to increase its...
MM212 Says: The third line of defence in this impenetrable fort is the Kalakot. Like the Mahakot, this fortified rampart consists of a double wall that encircles the base of the citadel mount and its access. It only has one entry point, the Main Gate - seen in the attached photograph,...
MM212 Says: Towering 60 metres above the Fort and the surrounding plains, Chand Minar is the architectural jewel and symbol of Daulatabad. The red circular minaret-tower was built in 1435 AD by Sultan Alauddin Bahmani to commemorate his conquest of the Fort. It was once entirely covered...
MM212 Says: The largest surviving building in the Daultabad Fort is the Jami Masjid, the Grand Mosque. It is located immediately south of the east-west path leading from the main gate to the citadel. Like all grand mosques in India, Jami Masjid consists of a spacious courtyard open to a...
Most travellers visiting Daulatabad choose to be based in Aurangabad, a city equipped with an airport and modern hotels (not to mention its own splendid monuments). Daulatabad is located about 20 minutes East/Northeast of Aurangabad, an easy day trip that is best combined with Ellora Caves and a quick stop in Khuldabad, time permitting. Ellora is located 15 minutes further on the same road from Aurangabad. Although buses and tours are available, independent travellers will find it easiest to hire a private car and driver, or a taxi, to reach Daulatabad and Ellora.
Updated Nov 7, 2009
The Daulatabad Fort is a very popular excursion for school children in the area. When I visited in February 2009, I encountered numerous groups - see the attached photos.
Written Nov 8, 2009
Miscellaneous: 1- Take a couple of chilled bottles of water.
2- Pack a lunch or a filling snack for the road.
3- Bring a torch (flashlight) if you plan to climb the Andhari Passage.
4- Put on a hat and/or apply sunblock if you are sensitive to the sun.
5- Wear comfortable hiking shoes.
Finally, at the Fort's entrance, you will encounter many sellers of guidebooks. The Daulatabad Fort guidebook is worth purchasing, mainly for the map of the Fort and some useful historical information. It is rather inexpensive.
Updated Nov 8, 2009
MM212 Says: Along with nearby Ajanta, Ellora ranks top among India's cave-temple sites. It is essentially the main reason anyone comes to the Aurangabad area and is therefore a must-see when in town. With its 34 caves, carved into an escarpment between the 6th and 11th centuries AD,...
MM212 Says: One of the holiest towns in this part of India, Khuldabad, whose name translates to "Abode of Eternity," is the burial place of some 1500 14th century Sufi Moslem saints. The abundance of domed shrines of these saints earned the town the nickname "Valley of the Saints,"...
A formidable defence structure, the Daulatabad Fort occupies a hill that overlooks the surrounding plains of the Deccan Plateau. Although the area is thought to have been inhabited since 100 BC, it......
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