Before the city of Hyderabad was founded the Deccan was ruled form Golconda fort. Founded originally by the Kakatiya's in the 13^th century the existing structure was expanded by the Qutub Shahi kings into a massive fort of granite with walls and ramparts extending some 5 km in circumference. The fortress city within the walls was famous for the diamond trade and the Koh-I-noor diamond is said to have come from here. The historic Golconda fort lies 11 kms west of the city. The name originates from the Telugu words "Golla" and "Konda" - shepherd's hill. Later the fort was taken over by the Bahamani kings, subsequently passing to the Qutub Shahi's who help it from 1512 to 1687 AD. The first three Qutub Shahi kings rebuilt Golconda over a span of 62 years. Famous features of Golconda include its system of acoustics, palaces, pactories, water supply system and the famous Rahban cannon, one of those used during the last seize of Golconda by Aurangazeb, to whom the fort ultimately fell. Andhara Pradesh Tourism's sound and light show in the evening reenacts the glory and grandeur of the Qutub Shahi dynasty.

Quiet close from Golconda fort are the tombs of the seven Qutub Shahi rulers amidst the Ibrahim Bagh. The tombs are domed structures built on a square base surrounded by pointed arches. The galleries of the smaller tombs are of a single story while the larger ones are two