ROMANCING THE RUINS

I always enjoyed roaming among the ancient ruins; I felt the echo of the glory of the past; they stand romantic, display a graceful character. Their aesthetics can tie me for many days searching for the artistry of wonderful masters of the past.

A fortnight ago, I visited to listen to lingering legacies of the Golconda Fort, which proudly glorified as the treasured vault of some of the world’s most famous diamonds and an erstwhile source of great wealth and trade.

I remember touring the historical site two decades ago, then and now; there isn’t much admirable to witness but the sad ruins. The crumbling artifacts and decaying pillars, damp, dark, and moss infested walls. The only saving element I have noticed was some restoration works in progress among the decaying memoirs of the past. On one pleasant note, I could see the well-managed lawns and gardens. Security seemed alert to discourage miscreants from vandalizing with trash and blemishing the remains of whatever ruins left of the four-hundred-year-old archaeological monument.

I wondered, while strolling among the historical remains, how indestructible were its gigantic foundations. Open to the Sun and ravages of storms, persisted like a determined monarch, as if the soul of the fortress learned early the art of survival. Now, I see it has become a part of nature.

After an hour and a half of pleasant evening roving among the aging relics, “it’s enough,” I said to my over-excited camera. I found it snapping without pause: the collapsing towers, run-down courtyards, and humble rocks. While I searched among the celebrated remains of the past, I could imagine the luxurious lifestyle of the royalty and the romance that flowed among the diamond-rich kings and queens within the secret chambers and marbled corridors.

I wondered about where the shrouded mighty vaults went buried that had protected for centuries the most famous diamonds: the Koh-I-Noor, the Blue hope, the white Regent, The Daria-I-Noor, and many more untraced diamonds.