It followed the pattern of Gulbarga and Bidar fortifications but was larger and more impregnable. The legendary diamond bazaars lined the road up to the Fateh Darwaja guarded by Abyssinians. A curtain wall across the gateway made it difficult for enemy elephants to gather momentum. Inside the fort, there is a sophisticated Persian-wheel water system, hot and cold water pipes etc. Nearby are the more complete and just as impressive Persian-style, bulbous -domed tombs of the royals, silhouetted against the clear blue Deccan sky.

Visiting this fort was an awesome experience. I have a picture of the abyss. That little person down by the water is me. Dr. Rao was frantic that I was so close to the waters edge. He said, If you fall in there you will never be found. There are several abysses around the fort. This is the only one I had the nerve to get close enough to. I will also put a picture I call The Pinnacle. Dr. Rao's son Gospel (second from right) stands bravely with friends on the edge of the mountain just behind the abyss.

I stood there and looked out and down for miles and envisioned the experience Jesus had when he was led into the desert to be tempted.

Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, if thou be the son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, he shall give his angels charge concerning you, and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, it is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil took him up into an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, all these things I will give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then said Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shall thou serve. Then the devil left him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Matt 4:4-11.