KHALVONTAWI - Voice of the Voiceless from Northeast India

Golconda Fort: Echoes of Diamonds and Kings

Golconda Fort, located in the western part of Hyderabad about 9 km from Hussain Sagar Lake, has a history dating back to the 11th century. It began as a small mud fort built by Pratāparudra of the Kakatiya Empire.

The name “Golconda” comes from the Telugu words Golla Konda, meaning “Shepherd’s Hill.” Legend says a shepherd boy found an idol on the hill, and the Kakatiya king built a fort around it. Later, the Bahmani rulers and then the Qutb Shahi kings transformed it into a massive granite fortress. By the 16th century, it became the capital of the Golconda Sultanate.

The fort is famous for its diamonds, including the Koh-i-Noor and Hope, which were once stored here. Nearby regions like Kollur and Krishna districts were known for diamond mines during the Kakatiya era. The Kakatiya era, spanning the 12th-14th centuries, was when the Kakatiya dynasty ruled a Telugu kingdom in eastern Deccan, with Warangal as their capital.

Spread over three square kilometres, Golconda Fort has huge ramparts, 08 gateways, 04 drawbridges, cannons, palaces, mosques, and a hilltop pavilion rising 130 metres, offering panoramic views. One fascinating feature is its acoustics: if you a clap your hands at the entrance near the dome, it can be heard at the top pavilion almost a kilometre away—a warning system in ancient times.

Golconda witnessed centuries of history before falling to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1687, who left it in ruins. Today, it remains one of India’s most magnificent forts, a symbol of Hyderabad’s rich heritage.

Visiting Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sound & Light Show: Sundays, in English and Hindi

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Hyderabd Biryani! Me, Mutton Biryani!!!

🙏💚Thank You, Lord💚🙏

By:-

Bruce K. Thangkhal, BD III, UTC

IFE 2023 @ HMI, HYDERABAD

Visited: 26 Oct 2023

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Interfaith Interactive Session at MANUU Hyderabad

We attended an Interactive Session with HMI Delegates organised by the Department of Islamic Studies, Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU, estd in 1998), Gachibowli, Hyderabad, on 26 October 2023 at 10 a.m.

The session was attended by MANUU (Islamic Studies) professors -- Prof. Mohammad Habib (Head of Department) and Prof. Md. Irfan Ahmed, along with our guide Dr. S. S. Waheed Ullah Hussaini, a professor from the Henry Martyn Institute, Hyderabad.

The programme began with a short introduction by Prof. Md. Irfan Ahmed, followed by a beautiful recitation from the Quran by Islamic students. Then, all the participants—including MANUU students (MA and PhD), HMI students, and theological students from UTC Bangalore—introduced themselves.

Prof. Mohammad Habib presented a very insightful paper that opened our minds and encouraged deep reflection. The discussion that followed was lively, with students asking thoughtful questions and receiving clear, meaningful answers.

A key takeaway was that “we are all Muslims by birth”, meaning that a Muslim is one who submits to God and lives in peace.

Prof. Waheed highlighted that such interactive sessions help build bridges between two faith communities—Christians and Muslims. He reminded us that we should share what is good and help others avoid what is wrong.

Honestly, the professors and students of MANUU were very friendly, open, and engaging. The interaction taught us many new things and helped us see faith from a broader perspective.

It was truly a memorable experience and a valuable part of our learning on interfaith dialogue.

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