Natural wonder near Golconda

How often do we come across a place that boasts of cultural and architectural heritage along with undisturbed wilderness? Naya Qila, or New Fort, in Hyderabad is one such a place. It is an extended portion of the famous Golconda Fort. Built by Abdullah Qutb Shah as a defence against the Mughal armies, the place has other structures like Bagh-E-Qutb, Mulla Kahyali and Mustafa Khan mosques and the Naya Qila talab.

Since I stay very near to this place, I would often frequent it. Naya Qila also has the biggest African Baobab tree in India. The locals call it, Hathiyan ka Jhad (Elephant Tree), as it resembles an elephant. The tree was introduced by the African mercenaries who served in the Abyssinian Royal Guard. It is more than 400 years old — Baobab trees have a life span of more than thousand years. The trunk diameter of this tree is around 27 metres.

Today, the entrance of the Naya Qila is fiercely guarded by security personnel. Although visitor entry is still permitted, one is asked to write their name and mobile number in the book provided by the security guard. One can only visit the Baobab tree and not the mosques and other heritage structures.

— The writer is a student of environmental studies and a photographer

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