Daulatabad Fort
Daultabad Fort magnificent 12th century fortress stands on a hill, Built by Raja Bhillamraj once known as 'Devgiri', Initially a Yadav stronghold, it passed through the hands of several dynasties in the Deccan. The ‘Daulatabad’ (city of fortune) name was give by Muhamad Tughlaq, Sultan of Delhi.
When Muhammad Tughlak ascended the Delhi throne, he was so taken by the fortress that he decided to move his court and capital there, renaming it Daultabad, "the City of Fortune". He ordered the entire population of Delhi to move out en masse to the new capital.
Daultabad Fort, a rock-hewn citadel dominating the landscape, from a 600 feet high mesa-like plateau, is just 13 kilometer away from Aurangabad City. One of the world's best preserved fort of medieval times, surviving virtually unaltered, Daultabad yet displays the character that made it unbeatable. A Fortress that only is occupied by cheating. A series of secret, puzzled, endless passages lie coiled like a python amidst the fort. Here flaring torches were thrust upon an unwary enemy. Or hot oil poured down his path, as he deliberated in the labyrinth. Also the heat from a brazier was blown into the passage by a process of suction suffocating the entire garrison within. The Fort itself lies in the body of an isolated hill; the steep hill - sides at the base falling so sharply to the moat that no hostile troops could scale the height. The moat, 40 feet deep with mechanical drawbridges teemed with crocodiles.
The defenses were extended during Muhammad Tughlak, battlements and fortresses were built, mounted with huge bronze cannons, and several rings of walls with battlements guarded the approach. Several inner walls with heavy iron gates fitted with elephant spikes were encircled by a six kilometer outer wall. Inside these walls is a 40 feet deep moat, with a drawbridge, leading to the original citadel. 
The plateau's solid rock sides were then scraped vertically flat to a height of 250 ft., for extra added unease of access.
A 5 kilometer sturdy wall, artificial scarping and a complicated series of defenses made Daultabad secure. The 30 meter high Chand Minar (Tower) built much later with 3 circular balconies had a defensive and religious role in the fortress. This circular tower with three balconies has similar features to Qutub Minar in Delhi. The lowest part of the minar is a square construction with arch-shaped openings, and 'mehrab' like niches inside. It may have functioned as a small mosque. In one corner of the construction, there is a Persian inscription. The base of the Chand Minar was built in the Tugluq period, whereas the central part is assumed to have been built by Ala ad-Din Hasan in 1346, to celebrate the conquer of Daulatabad Fort.