In Indian history and tourism, the famous Golconda Fort is an important monument; this question asks you to identify in which Indian state the Golconda Fort is located.

Introduction / Context:
Golconda Fort is a major historical and archaeological site that appears frequently in Indian history, tourism, and state specific GK questions. It is famous for its association with medieval Deccan kingdoms and legendary diamond trade. With the creation of new states in India, exams now expect you to know the current state in which such monuments lie, not just old provincial names.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The monument in question is Golconda Fort.
The options list four Indian states: Punjab, Telangana, Goa, and Andhra Pradesh.
We assume current political boundaries of India, where Telangana has been formed as a separate state with Hyderabad as its capital.

Concept / Approach:
Historically, Golconda Fort is located near Hyderabad city. For many years, Hyderabad and Golconda were part of Andhra Pradesh. After the creation of the new state of Telangana in 2014, Hyderabad and Golconda came under Telangana. Therefore, exam questions that are updated to the current map expect Telangana as the correct answer. Remembering recent state reorganizations is very important for GK accuracy.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Golconda Fort is near Hyderabad, a major city in southern India. Step 2: Match Hyderabad with its present state, which is Telangana. Step 3: Look at the given options and identify Telangana among the four states. Step 4: Eliminate Punjab, Goa, and Andhra Pradesh, since none of them currently contain Hyderabad or Golconda Fort. Step 5: Choose Telangana as the final answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Tourism brochures and official state websites clearly list Golconda Fort as an attraction of Hyderabad in Telangana. Maps and government documents published after the formation of Telangana place Hyderabad within Telangana boundaries. Older textbooks may mention Andhra Pradesh, but for updated competitive exams, the answer must correspond to the new state structure, which is Telangana.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Punjab: A northern state far from Hyderabad, known for cities like Amritsar and Ludhiana, not for Golconda Fort.
Goa: A coastal state on the western side of India, famous for beaches and churches, not the Golconda Fort complex.
Andhra Pradesh: Historically associated with Hyderabad, but after state bifurcation Hyderbad moved into Telangana, so this option is outdated for current GK questions.

Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates who studied before the formation of Telangana still remember Hyderabad as a part of Andhra Pradesh and therefore mark Andhra Pradesh by habit. Others may guess randomly among southern states. To avoid such mistakes, regularly revise new states, capitals, and changed boundaries and update your mental map of important monuments accordingly.

Final Answer:
Golconda Fort is located in the Indian state of Telangana.