Daulatabad Fort

Overview

Daulatabad Fort, once called Devagiri, stands on a steep hill near Aurangabad. It was the capital of the Yadava dynasty in the twelfth century, and its defences include a moat, a sheer scarped rock face and gates against elephants.

In 1327 the Delhi sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq renamed it Daulatabad and moved his capital here from Delhi, more than 1,100 km away. The experiment failed and the capital was soon moved back, partly because of water shortages.

What to look for

• The Chand Minar, a tall victory tower of the Bahmani sultans
• The Andheri, the dark zig-zag passage designed to trap invaders
• The Mendha Tope, a large cannon with a ram's-head end
• The view from the citadel at the top

Visiting tips

• Bring a torch (a phone light is enough) for the Andheri passage.
• The climb to the top has many steps: wear sturdy shoes, take water and allow time.
• It combines well with Khuldabad and Ellora in one day.

Why visit with a private guide

A private guide shows you where to stand, when to arrive and what most visitors miss at Daulatabad Fort, and fits the visit around the rest of your day.

More photographs

Nearby

Ajanta Caves Bibi Ka Maqbara Kailasa Temple Aurangzeb Tomb Lonar Crater Daitya Sudan Temple