The fort fell to the Mughal army in 1687 and the resulting devastation meant it was no longer repaired. The magnificent ruin is testament to the wealth of the diamond trade, the ingenuity of the architects and the might of the Indian empire.

The fortified citadel sits loftily on top of a 394-foot-high (120m) hill. When new, the architecture of Golconda was state of the art. For example, natural air conditioning allowed it to remain cool in summer.

Golconda Fort, Hyderabad, India

Exquisite diamonds such as the Koh-i-Noor, now part of the British crown jewels, and the Hope diamond were mined in the area surrounding Golconda Fort. This impressive 16th-century fortress, west of Hyderabad in southern India, became rich as the heart of the diamond industry.

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