Location:Bidar

Period of Construction:Built in 8th century, renovated in 1428 AD.

Constructed by:Sultan Ahmad Shah Bahamani

Bidar Fort: Bidar Fort is a majestic building located at the heart of the city, Karnataka. Built in red stone it presents an impressive site to explore. Be it the historical traveler or the one who loves to wander, this garrison will definitely make an impact on all. Apart from acquainting one with historical facts it will also amaze one with its sheer craftsmanship.

This Bidar Fort was originally built by the Chalukyas in the year 977 A.D. the capital of the kingdom; Kalyani was situated at a distance of 7 kilometers from the Bidar Fort. At a later stage the Yadavas of Devagiri captured it and then the Kalyanas of Warangal captured it in 1322; but it was under the Mughals, the fame of the fort was at its height. Under the Delhi Sultanate the Bidar Fort was renovated and many new sections were added to the building. The place where the fort is located is mentioned in the epic, Mahabharata. The Bidar Fort was building in Vidarbha.

This fort in Karnataka is at a height of 2200 feet and provides a beautiful picture from the top of the fort. Its location overlooks the Manjira River Valley. The main gateway was constructed by Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali of Bahmani Kingdom in the year 1429. This 15th century fort is built in red stone and the ruins of royal baths, bastions, kitchens, audience halls; pavilion stands and gates are worth checking out. The Rang Mahal has elaborately carved wooden pillars. One will also find Persian couplets engraved in tiles and stunning mother-of-pearl inlay work.

Bidar fort is reachable from Gulbarga and Bangalore by car. Flights from Hyderabad are also available to reach the place. Train services also connect the city.

Papnash Shiva Temple at Bidar: Sightseeing in Karnataka, India, should include a visit to this temple. The idol of Lord Shiva in this temple is said to be installed by Shri Rama during the time of his journey back from Lanka. Lots of people come here during the Shivaratri festival. Natural spring flows into a pond in front of the temple which is called ‘Papnasha’.

Solah Khamba Masjid: This mosque served as the principal place of worship within the fort. It was founded in the early 14th century during the Tughlak occupation of Bidar but was extended later. Its facade consists of a long row of arched openings above which the parapet of interlocking battlements is a Bahmani addition. Its flattish central dome is raised on a drum with with trefoil crenellations. The masjid stands in a separate walled garden, Lalbagh. Waterways in the garden led from the Tarkash Mahal at the south to a royal bath at the north.

The Nanak Jhera: Here the sikhs have built on Imposing Gurudwara. Legend has it that Saint Guru Nanak visited this place. The Guru performed a miracle at the request of the population and a spring burst forth and to this day water flows out of the laterite trap. Sikh pilgrims flock to Nanak Jhera all the year round. A visit while the sacred hymns are being sung by the ‘Ragi’ can be most edifying.

Madrassa: The Madrasa of Mahamud Gawan dates back to the fifteenth century and it once used to attract scholars from all over the Muslim world.

Tombs of Bahmani Rulers: The tombs of Bahmani rulers in Ashtur, Bidar were erected from 1436 to 1535. The two most impressive are those of the ninth and tenth Bahmani rulers, Ahmad Shah I and Allauddin Shah II. The tomb of Ahmad Shah I has a dome rising over 30m high. The interior of these square tombs have beautifully colored and gilded paintings on the ceilings.

Mahmud Gawan: The builder of this grandiose madrasa was the prime-minister of the Bahmani Empire in the late 15th century. He became powerful through military campaigns, administrative reform, and a policy of balancing rival factions in the Bahmani court. The madrasa however, built to reaffirm Shiism as the state religion, is clearly modeled on contemporary central Asian buildings. Its principal east facade, now partly ruined, faces the city’s main street leading to the citadel. An imposing minaret is in three stages separated by cantilevered balconies and surmounted by a dome. The minaret and façade walls were once covered with blue and white tiles, with traces of yellow and green.

Tarakash Mahal:These are pile of ruins adjoining the Masjid and originally consisted of the apartments of the female members of the royal household.The ladies occupied the upper apartments while the lower portions housed the guards and the storerooms.