Daulatabad Fort, Medieval hill fort in Sambhajinagar district, India

Daulatabad Fort, originally Devagiri, stands on a conical hill about 200 metres high, its lower slopes cut away by the Yadavas into 50-metre vertical sides. Access to the summit is by a narrow bridge and a long rock-cut gallery, with a steep stairway midway topped by a grating that served as the hearth of a huge fire. Old cannon face out over the countryside from the summit and intervals on the slope.

Bhillama V of the Yadava dynasty founded Devagiri around 1187. In 1327 Muhammad bin Tughluq of the Delhi Sultanate renamed it Daulatabad and moved his capital there, ordering Delhi's population to migrate; he reversed the decision in 1334. From 1499 the Ahmadnagar Sultanate used it as a secondary capital and built most of the present fortifications.

The Persian name Daulatabad means "city of prosperity", given when Muhammad bin Tughluq renamed Devagiri in 1327. The hill fort above is still called Devagiri or Deogiri. Near the Chand Minar, Iranian architects used lapis lazuli and red ocher for its colouring.

The climb to the top takes about an hour and requires passing through several steep staircases and a dark tunnel. Sturdy footwear and a flashlight or phone light make the visit much easier.

A large cannon called Mendha still lies within the grounds and testifies to the military importance of the site. The artificial caves in the lower section once served as storage rooms and quarters for soldiers.