Daulatabad Fort
The Impregnable Hill Fortress of the Deccan
About the Fort
Daulatabad Fort, formerly known as ‘Devgiri’, was constructed by the Yadava King in 1338. Later, Muhammad bin Tughlaq strengthened and renamed it as Daulatabad Fort (City of Fortune). This is one of the best-preserved and most formidable forts in India, renowned for its ingenious defensive mechanisms.
Daulatabad Fort is a reminder of the golden period of the Hindus.
Plan Your Visit
How to Reach
- Nearest Airport: Aurangabad (13 km to Daulatabad)
- Nearest Railway Station: Aurangabad (375 km from Mumbai)
- By Road: S.T. Buses frequently ply between Aurangabad and Daulatabad.
Accommodation
- An MTDC Hotel and Rest House are available.
- Plenty of private hotels, suiting all budgets, are the pride of Aurangabad.
Key Attractions
Within the Fort
- The majestic Chand Minar tower.
- The Andheri, a confusing, dark, and winding maze to trap enemies.
- The powerful Mendha Canon at the summit.
- Spectacular natural beauty and panoramic views.
Nearby Historical Spots
- Bibi ka Maqbara
- Panchakki (Water Mill)
- The world-famous Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
Glossary of Terms
- Devgiri
- Literally 'Hill of the Gods'. The original name of the fortress and city before it was renamed Daulatabad.
- Yadava King
- Refers to the rulers of the Yadava dynasty. King Bhillama V established Devgiri as his capital around 1187 CE. The original fort was built long before the 1338 date mentioned in older texts.
- Muhammad bin Tughlaq
- The Sultan of Delhi from 1325 to 1351. He famously and forcibly moved the capital of his empire from Delhi to Devgiri, renaming it Daulatabad.
- MTDC
- An acronym for the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, the government body responsible for promoting tourism in the state of Maharashtra, India.
- Chand Minar
- (Tower of the Moon) A 210-foot tall minaret in Daulatabad, built in 1445 by Sultan Ala-ud-din Bahmani to celebrate his conquest of the fort.
- Bibi ka Maqbara
- (Tomb of the Lady) A beautiful mausoleum in Aurangabad, often called the 'Taj of the Deccan' due to its resemblance to the Taj Mahal.
- Panchakki
- (Water Mill) A 17th-century water mill in Aurangabad, admired for its ingenious engineering that used water to power the grinding of grain for pilgrims.