DEPARTMENT OF POSTS RELEASES COMMEMORATIVE
POSTAGE STAMPS ON GOLCONDA AND CHANDRAGIRI
The Department of
Posts (DoP) has released a set of two commemorative postage stamps
on ‘Forts of Andhra Pradesh’, covering the forts at Golconda and
Chandragiri. The stamps are in the denomination of Rs.5/- each.
Golconda fort is
a majestic monument, which lies on the western outskirts of Hyderabad
city. Hyderabad itself owes its birth to Golconda, the capital
of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. The fort is believed to have been
built originally by the Yadava rulers of the region and later
passed through the domination of different dynasties like the
Kakatiyas and Bahmani Sultans. Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, who set
up a new structure in 1525, and his successors re-inforced the
fortress over a period of 62 years.
The magnificent architecture
of the Golconda fort is manifest in its acoustic system, the structural
grandeur of the palaces and ingenious water supply system. The
ventilation system reveals the brilliant planning of the architects.
Chandragiri was the
former capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. Located at the distance
of 12 km from Tirupati in Chitoor district, the fort is said to
have been built around AD 1000 by Immadi Narasimha Yadavaraya.
The Vijayanagar Kings made additions at a later time. The well-secured
fortification is a marvelous feat of construction, with cyclopean
walls buttressed with the typical bastions at regular intervals
and pierced with gateways and zig-zag entrances.
The Vijayanagar Empire
lasted for about 230 years. After its fall, the last of the Vijayanagar
Kings shifted to Chandragiri. The palace at Chandragiri comprising
the ‘Raja Mahal’ and ‘Rani Mahal’ was built in the early 17th
century. Built in the Vijayanagar style of architecture, it has
a number of ‘gopurams’. The modern town of Chandragiri lies to
the east of the hill on which the fort stands.
The First Day Cover
alongwith the information sheet will be available on sale at all
Philatelic Buraeux/Counters and at selected Post Offices.
