Daulatabad Fort

• 10 Apr 2025

Source: TH 

A fire at Daulatabad Fort in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district has prompted the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to initiate damage assessment and plan disaster management. 

• Significance: Originally called Devgiri (Hill of Gods), it was renamed Daulatabad by Muhammad bin Tughlaq when he shifted his capital there in the 14th century. 
  • It served as the capital of several dynasties including Yadavas, Tughlaqs, Bahmanis, Nizam Shahis, Mughals, and briefly the Marathas before the Nizams of Hyderabad. 
  • It is a UNESCO-nominated heritage site, known for its historical, architectural, and ecological importance. 
• Architectural Brilliance: Daulatabad Fort is fortified in three layers Ambarkot, Mahakot, and Kalakot with moats, bastions, and iron-spiked gates. 
  • It features a deadly tunnel called Andheri, used to trap and attack invaders. 
• Monuments and Structures Within: 
  • Chand Minar (1435 CE): Indo-Islamic style victory tower modeled after Qutub Minar. 
  • Bharat Mata Mandir, located within the fort, was previously the Jama Masjid during Qutub-ud-din Mubarak's reign (1318 CE). 
  • Chini Mahal, a lavish palace turned prison by Aurangzeb. 
• Artillery and Cannons: Fort was equipped with ~288 cannons, a notable one is Aurangzeb’s Mendha also called Qila Shikan (fort-breaker), symbolized military power. 

Read more: Gingee Fort Nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site