Daulatabad

Town in Maharashtra state, west-central India, 16 km/10 mi northeast of Aurangabad. It is noteworthy for a fine 13th-century fortress built on an isolated conical rock of volcanic origin some 250 m/820 ft high. Surrounded by perpendicular fortifications 30 m/100 ft high, entrance is possible only by a passage tunnelled through the rock.

Originally named Deogiri, the town was founded in 1187. In 1327 Muhammad Tughluq made it capital of India and gave it its present name. His intention was to move the entire population of Delhi to Daulatabad, and thousands died in the attempt to make the 1,300 km/800 mi journey in the stipulated period of 40 days.