The invulnerable fort which is known as Daulatabad had resisted many onslaughts from the khiljis, the Tughalaqs and the Mughals. The fort became the pride of the Deccan during the subsequent centuries and all the military expeditions by the imperial rulers down south were directed from this focal point.

An isolated mountain peak with colonial shape has been trimmed vertically to a height of about 150 feet, and a deep moat runs at the base all round. Its planning is incredible and its walls and gateways added during the Mughal occupation. These are constructed in such a way so as to mislead the unwary enemy forces and to check their entry and decimate those at all intervening corners. The township overlooking the tall hill fort has been protected by the outer fortified walls with imposing gateways along the main through fares. Special care was taken by the builders of defensive system to raise a series of fortified walls towards semi-circular valley in which the entire population lived. It appears that the main offices and the residences of the aristocracy were located within the main fort.

The fort illustrates a unique Deccan military engineering skill and architecture. In some respects, it resembles the Turkish and central European mediaeval castle. As soon as you enter in through the main gate, you are surrounded by the imposing high walls with towers and battlements. The huge water tank, the Jain temple, The Chandminar and at little higher the Chini-mahal, the Medha tope, the palace where Tanashah was imprisoned and the Baradari beyond the dark passage are the important highlights of the fort.

The defensive system was extreme perfect that series of fortified walls and watch towers are noticed on the sloping mountain itself. From there one gets a commanding view of the mountains and the plain land of the country side.

It is amazing that the builders of such a vast township ensured regular and adequate water supply through a series of reservoirs, built in the higher mountain ridges. They have also utilized every drop of rain water by raising a retaining wall along the mountain slope towards Khultabad and taken through two giant underground pipelines along the western fort wall. The water from these pipelines was lifted by a series of moats. The internal water distribution system through underground pipes is simply incredible. The well laid gardens and the popularity of Daulatabad fruit varieties earned high encomiums from the Arab and European travellers who called the finest city of the east and the 'City of gardens'You can see the remains of this beautiful fort and enjoy the surroundings and architecture.

Bibi-Ka-Makbara

Bibi-ka-makbara is the replica of Taj mahal which is one of the famous monuments and part of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was built in memory of Dilras Banu Begum, wife of Aurangzeb. It is a significant example of Mughal architecture. The general architecture features such as its central structure with the main dome, its four diagonal minarets; it's subsidiary buildings on four sides along with the outer enclosure wall and the garden layout reveal that the builders of the Makbara were inspired by the plan of the Taj mahal. But if you scrutinize these two monuments would convince us that Maqbara is not only a poor imitation of the Taj but also a glaring example of the descendent imitative art of the later generation concomitant with quick political disintegration of the Mughal empire during the lapse of 40 years from the reign of Shahajahan to that of Aurangazeb.

Unlike Taj, the Maqbara stands at the Centre of the garden and thus it is more symmetrical. While the Taj is lavished with fine quality of marble and exuberant with variety of arabesque and fine inlay work, the Maqbara has fine stucco work. Both have retained Persian motives like vases and other things. The trellis work around the main cenotaph at Maqbara is a fine piece of art and reminds us of the work around the tomb of saint Salim chisti at Fatehpur Sikri.

So if you would like to take in the architechture of the various kingdoms, this is the place to be. So plan your tour today and visit this place filled with history and monuments!

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