Residing in the tranquil environs of Naya Quila on the Golconda Fort premises is the 430-year-old African Baobab (adansonia digitata), whose history remains a mystery.
Touted to be one of the biggest Baobabs outside Africa and Australia, the mammoth tree is popular as ‘Hathiyan ka Jhad’ in local parlance (literally translating to elephant tree) as its gnarled, folded trunk resembles an elephant. Despite the majestic features, it misses the attention of thousands who visit the historic Golconda Fort.
This tree with a thick trunk of 25 metres in circumference and a height of 79 feet originated from Madagascar. It is believed that it was planted by wandering friars during their stay at Golconda. The trunk is hollow on the inside, and at least 40 persons can fit in it. A gang of 40 notorious thieves, it is said, took shelter inside the hollow trunk during the day and committed offences at night in the Golconda Sultanate.
