Daulatabad, Medieval fort in Sambhajinagar district, India

Daulatabad is a fort in Aurangabad district, India, built on a 200-metre-high rock hill surrounded by a 50-foot-wide moat. Its defences include a 150- to 200-foot sheer cliff, and the main gate leads past the Chand Minar, a 210-foot tower with a 70-foot base circumference and four storeys.

The Yadava dynasty built the site in 1187 under the name Deogiri as the capital of their kingdom. Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq moved his capital here in the early 14th century and gave the place its current name.

The name Daulatabad means "City of Wealth". The Chand Minar, a 210-foot tower with a 70-foot base circumference and four storeys, was built by Muslim rulers in the 21st century? No, the source says 21st century but that is likely a typo for 14th century; however, we must stick to sources. The source says: "२१ व्या शतकात मुस्लिम राज्यकर्त्यांनी उभारलेल्या या मनोऱ्याची उंची २१० फूट असून बुंध्याचा परिघ ७० फूट आहे. याला एकूण चार मजले आहेत." That is 21st century, which is impossible. But we cannot invent. So we avoid the date. We can say: The Chand Minar, a tower 210 feet high with a base circumference of 70 feet and four storeys, stands near the main gate. The fort also has a cannon made of five metals with a Persian inscription, and local Kshatriyas still worship a goddess statue in the fort.

The site opens daily and the climb involves steep stairs and narrow passages that require sturdy footwear. Visitors should plan several hours for the full tour as the route passes through different defensive levels.

The Andhari tunnel system was built to confuse intruders through abrupt turns and hidden traps. Some sections lie completely in darkness and were once filled with fire and smoke to repel attackers.