Trekking to Daulatabad Fort, a Day Trip from Aurangabad

Continuing on my blog posts on our trip to Aurangabad … this one is on trekking to Daulatabad Fort in Aurangabad, Maharashtra India.

Daulatabad fort is 12 km by road from Aurangabad. We set off all fresh and eager to explore this largest and strongest fort of Deccan plateau, and one of the seven wonders of Maharashtra.

Entrance to Daulatabad Fort

This fort has only one entrance, designed such so that once the enemy enters, they are trapped with no other exit.

Mahakot First Gate Daulatabad Fort in Aurangabad

Mahakot Second Gate Daulatabad

Devagiri Fort History

Originally Daulatabad was known as Devagiri (Deogiri), meaning hill of Gods. Located strategically on top of a 200m high hill top, it is visible from far. Trekking to Daulatabad Fort is worth an experience!

Devagiri Fort was ruled by as many as six dynasties and each of them may have conquered this fort by deceit or strength. This Fort was founded by Bhillama Raja of Yadava dynasty in 1187 and ruled by several rulers after him.

In 1327 it was conquered by Mohammed-bin-Tughlaq. He was so enamored by the fort and the city that he decided to shift the capital here and renamed the city as Daulatabad. The fact that his mission failed is another story!

There was severe shortage of water and within 2 years they shifted back to Delhi.

Spiked doors of the Fort

Daulatabad Fort Architecture

The fort is surrounded by three huge fortifications and is a unique combination of Ground fort and Hill fort. Amberkot, the first one, is around the city. Other two Mahakot and Kalkot are at the entrance to the citadel.

Walls surrounding it are steep and scaling them is near impossible. The fort is surrounded by two moats, (one of them now dry) and these must have been teeming with crocodiles then.

In the earlier days the bridge across the moat was made of leather which could be rolled up when attacked by enemies, we were told. The new iron bridge was built in 1952.

Moat around the fort

Pathetic Conditions at Fort

Well, today tourists too are leaving their marks. The condition of the moat is disheartening to say the least… filthy and full of plastic bottles. Earlier enemies wouldn’t have waded through this moat for fear of crocodiles, today one look at the filthy water none would dare to put a finger in it!

Plastic bottles dumped in the moat

Trekking to Daulatabad Fort Aurangabad

We were awestruck seeing the massive gates at the entrance with spikes studded on them. They are still intact, though if you observe carefully some of the spikes are missing.

These gates prevented the entry and damage by elephants. Those days they used intoxicated elephants to crash through these huge doors at the entrance gates.

The trek upwards was a gradual slope. We must have climbed at least thousand steps, if not more, here on our clamber to the summit.

View of Baradari

We climbed on from one gate to another gate, a serpentine path dotted with false doorways. The walls are peculiarly curved, steep and smooth to throw off the mountain lizard climbers. Several such architectural details made the trek to summit interesting.

They were meant to confuse the enemies, trap them and eventually protect the rulers from any surprise attack.

Fort wall from Mahakot to Kalkot – The fort is protected by several bastions.

We had to go through series of pitch-dark tunnels with unbearable stench of bat droppings, zigzag paths, steep climbs at some stretches; we even crossed the bridge over a moat.

Canons are mounted at various points, which may have been strategically important for the defense of the fort. We took short breaks in between, taking a peep here and a shot there.

Watch Tower inside Daulatabad Fort

Chini Mahal inside Daulatabad Fort

The Chini Mahal has many mysteries and skeletons enclosed within it. This is where the last king of Golcanda Abul Hasan Tanashaha, the last king of Bijapur Sikander Adilshaha, Ganapati the last king of Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal were held as captives till they died or were mysteriously killed.

Daulatabad Fort was the pride of many Kings and Emperors in the past. And many have left their mark in the form of architectural splendors. The Chand Minar was built by Ala-ud-din Bahamani in celebration of his victory over the fort in 1435.

30m Chand Minar of Daulatabad Fort built during the period of Tughlaq dynasty.

Emperor Shah Jahan built the Baradari, the palace at the top of the hill.

Sri Janardhan Swami, (who was a quilledar, an officer in charge of fort) a great saint meditated in a cave in the fort and is believed to have left his footprints there.

The walls of Baradari (twelve windows) are scratched and scribbled on. It is disgusting to see the walls coated with telltale red stains that speak volumes about the thriving Indian paan industry. The Kings and Emperors will do several flip-flops in their graves if they ever come to know of the state of their palaces here.

Huffing and puffing, we reached the summit of Daulatabad Fort. The view from here is exhilarating. But for those few negative factors mentioned the Baradari palace seemed to be a well maintained one.

Walking through those corridors of the octagonal palace with twelve windows – the Baradari, gave me goose pimples all over.

Wasn’t this the same corridor through which Emperor Shah Jahan once walked?

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How to Reach Daulatabad Fort 

Daulatabad fort is located 27 km away from Aurangabad. It takes approximately half an hour by buses or private vehicles from Aurangabad. State transport buses are frequent.

Tips to Trek Daulatabad Fort

• For proper understanding the history and architecture of Daulatabad Fort hire a local guide.
• Arrive early to avoid the heat, the final stretch of climb is steep.
• A torch will be helpful.
• Carry your own water bottle and eatables with you.
• There are no eateries or washroom within the fort.
• Wear proper footwear and comfortable clothes to trek to the top of Daulatabad Fort.

Tickets and Timings of Daulatabad Fort Aurangabad

Tickets cost 10INR per person.

Daulatabad Fort is open from 8am to 6pm. Tour time 2 to 3 hours.

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(This post was first written on Feb 13th 2008.)