Bidar is an important town located in the northern tip of Karnataka.

This city is well known for historical and architectural reasons. It was a part of the kingdom ruled by the nizam of Hyderabad before it got merged in to Karnataka.

PLAN OF THE CITY

Muhammad bin tughalaq invaded the fort of Bidar in 1325 ad And acquired it for his kingdom. After this, Bidar was under the sway of muslim kings for a long time and it has assimilated many an artistic dimension from their religion and culture.
MUHAMMAD BIN TUGHALAQ

AHMED ,THE BAHMANI KING

Ahmed the bahmani king, shifted his capital from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1424 and that is an important landmark in the history of this city. A strong fort was built in Bidar after it became the capital and many grand buildings were constructed during that period. Bidar continued to be the capital until the sultanate's breakup after 1518 ad

It then became the nodal center of the Barid shahis, one of the five independent sultanates known as the Deccan sultanates, that succeeded the Bahamani dynasty.

The Bidar sultanate was absorbed by the Bijapur sultanate in 1619 ad Bijapur was in turn conquered by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1686. Bidar was renamed as Jafferabad during the Mughal rule.

AURANGZEB

The monuments of bidar are mainly center around the Bidar fort. The structure of the fort exhibits the Persian style of architecture. The fort which is the most formidable in Deccan , was built by rulers of Chalukyan dynasty in 8th century ad .

It was renovated in 1428 by sultan Ahmad Shah Bahamani, the Bidar fort boasts of a dominating presence in the Bidar landscape. Nestled inside this moat surrounded fort is the royal town dotted with crumbling ruins of the bastions and gates, royal baths and kitchens, audience halls, and pleasure pavilions.

The Bidar fort, constructed on the edge of the plateau, has a haphazard quadrangular layout plan of 0.75 miles (1.21 km) in length and 0.5 miles (0.80 km) breadth. The peripheral length of the fort walls measure 4,500 yards (4,100 m).
OVERVIEW OF THE FORT

MANJIRA RIVER

The walls, 37 bastions, gates and barbicans of Bidar, though in ruins, are well preserved and considered as some of the most stylish in India. It is surrounded by a triple moa1t. Built at a height of 2200km, a magnificent view of the Manjira river valley can be obtained from the top of the fort.1

There are seven gates in the fort. The dominant main gate exhibits Persian style architecture. The Gumbad darwaza depicts arches with stilted size, also in Persian style. The Sharza darwaza of Bidar fort, the second gate of entry, depicts two images of tigers carved on its fascia.

THE GUMBAD DARWAZA This innermost entrance gate has an imposing facade composed of a high, pointed arch. Above this is a crenellated parapet flanked by domed turrets. A large flattish dome rises behind this, an unusual feature for a fort entrance. The gravel path leading to it, flanked by battlements, traverses the inner moat.

THE SHARZA GATE A small dome above the sharza gate entrance has slender minarets and the parapet is crenellated. Several sets of unaligned stairs lead to platforms, guard rooms and balconies at various levels. A window on the right has a triple arch with a carved stone screens.

THE BASTIONS

THE CANONS USED IN THE FORT

The other gates are the Fateh gate on the south (has octagonal towers and drawbridge). The Talghat gate in the east; the Delhi gate and the Mandu gate. The prominent bastion at the entry is known as the Munda burj with guns positioned on it. The whole fort is surrounded by moat.

THE SOUTH-EAST ENTRANCE TO THE FORT HAS A SEQUENCE OF THREE GATES..

THE TRIPLE MOAT THAT SURROUNDS THE BIDAR FORT

The fort houses a number of palaces, mosques, arches and gardens, royal baths and kitchens and audience halls as well as pavilions for entertainment . Among the palaces are Rangeen Mahal, Takht Mahal, Gagan Mahal and Tarkash Mahal. The other construction include Diwan-i-aam and the Solah Khambah mosque.

LAL BAGH GARDEN

SOLAH KAHAMBA

RANGEEN PALACE

The Lal Bagh is a walled garden with a central lobe-fringed pool. It is a rectangular garden flanked on three sides by structures. On the left side of the all Bagh is the Rangeen Mahal .Tarkash Mahal is situated south of Lal Bagh.The mosque faces east onto the rectangular garden. The pool contains water channels and a fountain.

THE LAL BAGH WITH ITS ENCLOSING STRUCTURES

THE CENTRAL LOBE POOL

The total length of the garden is 136 yard and breadth is 70 yard. Originally it had a pavilion in the middle through which delightful water -channel passed.

THE PLAN OF CISTER OR THE POOL.

After entering the garden from the road side there is seen a cistern of elegant design. It is built in the middle of a platform 4 feet high and 41 feet square. The cistern is 3 feet 4 inch deep , and has a beautiful black stone margin which is arranged in ornamental cusp giving the cistern a fourteen sided oval form.

THE GARDENS OF THE FORT WERE LUSH GREEN AND THE FORT WAS CLEAN AND MAINTAINED.

JUST OUTSIDE THE MAIN ENTRANCE IS THE RANGEEN (HINDI FOR COLORFUL) MAHAL.THE ROOM WITH A VIEW TO THE WATER FOUNTAIN, INTUITIVE AIR VENTILATION SYSTEMS, AND INTRICATE ARCHITECTURE. .

THE TARKASH MAHAL VIEWED FROM THE LAL BAGH

Solah khamba masjid or the zenani masjid, the sixteen-columned prayer hall was built in 1423 ad by prince Muhammad even prior to the shifting of the capital to Bidar by the Bahamanis. It is a medieval architecture.
THE BACKSIDE OF SOLAH MASJID

THE ROOFTOP
THE ENTRANCE TO MASJID FROM LAL BAGH

The mosque derives its name from the 16 pillars that are lined in the front of the structure. Popularly known as the zenani masjid, this mosque is about 90 meters long and 24 meters wide. Behind the southern wall of this mosque, there is a large well. Characterized by columns, arches and domes, this mosque is one of the largest in India. 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

THE ENTRANCE

This is one of the five bays into which the long prayer hall is divided. This sixteen column masjid has a massive prayer hall. The square on the facade and circular inside divide its expanse into 19 equal compartments comprising in all 95 bays. It is lit by a series of clerestory windows, and its tracery work resembling painted glass panes of gothic cathedrals add beauty to the interior.

THE PRAYER HALL

THIS IS THE VIEW ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN THE PRAYER HALL, WHERE A LARGE DOME BREAKS THE PATTERN OF COLUMNS.

The outer square columns and inner circular columns have petalled elements at the top of the shafts. They carry flattish domes on faceted pendentives, forming an arcade of receding arches.

Takht mahal This throne palace at the west end of the fort is where the bidar rulers held private audience. It has a columned hall facing north onto a rectangular court. Steps to the west of the courtyard lead to various rooms with complicated plans. Some have remains of granite columns.

TAKHT MAHAL

The throne palace was built by Ahmed Shah and was designated as the royal residence.

AHMED SHAH

The palace was fully decorated with colored tiles and stone carvings, part of which can be seen even today. It had two royal pavilions with lofty arches, and a spacious hall, at the back of which was the sultans room. The building had stately dimensions and exquisite surface decorations. The coronations of several bahamani and Barid Shahi sultans were held here. From the royal pavilion which is situated behind the throne palace, one can view the valley and lowland below.

The eastern and the northern facades of this room were brilliantly done in tile work and may be seen even now fresh and gleaming. On the eastern facade is the royal insignia-tiger, with rising sun at the back-worked out in tiles. At the southern end is the hot water swimming pool.

THE POETS OF THE TIME SING OF DOMES IN BLUE AND HOW THE ENTIRE PALACE WOULD APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN COVERED WITH ENCAUSTIC TILES.

The takht mahal is located in Bidar, past the diwan-e-am. Now in ruins, it was the royal palace where the kings once lived. Entrance to it can be had from either the northern side or through the small doorway near the fallen archway. The buildings here were the most splendid and a look at the arch still preserved at the site where it had collapsed gives an idea of the height and width of the dome over the royal apartments.

BEHIND THE AUDIENCE HALL TO THE SOUTH WAS THE ROOM DIRECTLY UNDER THE BIG DOME AND THIS IS FABULOUSLY DECORATED. THE SCULPTURED FRAMES FITTED TO ALCOVES ARE PLEASING TO THE EYE. TO THE WEST OF THIS ROOM IS AN OPEN BATH OR SWIMMING POOL.

AUDIENCE HALL TAKHT MAHAL HAD ROYAL PARTMENTS , AUDIENCE HALL AND SWIMMING BATH.

SWIMMING BATH

DIWAN-I-AM (THE AUDIENCE HALL) FOR LOCAL PUBLIC ADJACENT TO THE ROYAL RESIDENCE.

A BREATHTAKING VIEW CAN BE HAD OF THE LOW LANDS AND THE WESTERN FORTIFICATIONS FROM THE WINDOWS OF THE ROYAL APARTMENTS.

Rangeen Mahal is one of the large hall in the fort of Bidar where one can find the excellent work of the artisans of the ancient period. Walls and ceilings are decorated with artistic work of Mother of Pearl and Mosaics. One is totally amazed to see the work and is a must visit place. The art depicts the combination of both the Hindu style and the Muslim style architecture

The beautiful rangeen mahal (colorful palace) inside bidar fort was built by ali barid of the barid shahi dynasty, around 1560 ce. Rangeen mahal, once the royal residence, has elaborately carved wooden pillars, Persian couplets engraved in encaustic tiles and exquisite mother-of pearl inlay work.

The outer hall with intricately carved wooden pillars was meant for the purpose of giving audience. The art depicts the combination of both the Hindu style and the Muslim style architecture. Stone carving, stucco, floral work and calligraphy is just magnificent.

Wood sculpture in rangeen mahal at bidar. It is pure Indian tradition and culture. These palaces were tastefully decorated with coloured tiles and mural paintings.

Tarkash mahal is situated south of lal bagh. It is built for the Turkish wife of a bahmani sultan of 14-15 century ad. It has an upper storey that is reached by a flight of steps. From the remains of the decorative work found in the ornamentation of the walls, it can be said that the mahal was build or extended by the barid shahi sultans who had kept large harem with ladies from different nationalities. The rooms were decorated with stucco work and it had arched openings.

The tarkash mahal was built for the sultans turkish queen. An open space just outside the rangin mahal has an arcade on one side. An entrance with triple arches, flanked by arched recesses, leads to a courtyard in the second, ruined palace, the tarkash mahal. The dome of the gumbad gate can be seen on the left.

The once stately diwan-i-am that housed the famous turquoise throne of the bahmanis: little remains, with just a few walls and pillar bases left to view.

The Diwan-I-Am and Takht Mahal were associated with ceremonial activities of the Bahamani court. They comprise quadrangular walled compounds entered through detached gateways. The large rectangular court seen here once had timber columns of which only the granite bases remain. Some of the chambers opening off the hall have remains of tilework and geometric floor-patterns. The east wall seen here has a high parapet of trefoil crenellations. Arched openings below the parapet have pierced stone screens, each of a different design.
THE PLAN OF DIWAN-I-AM

 The prominent tombs are the Chaukhandi of Hazrat Khalil-Ullah Shah and the tomb of Sultan Ahmed Shah Al Wali Bahamani, among others, from the Bahamani dynasty. Location The Bahamani tombs are located at Ashtoor village, 4 km from Bidar city. The tomb of Sultan Humayun, which was split open after being struck by lightning, is located along with Other smaller tombs.

 It is erected on elevated place. The Building is octagonal in plan. There are traces of fine decorations on the walls of the building. This prominent building is altogether is one of the excellent building constructed by the Bahamanis.

 A closer view of the Building shows that the central arched recesses are flanked by panels that include diagonal squares an arches all outlined in masonry bands carved in a variety of patterns . This tomb is a two storeyed structure, noted for its architectural excellence

 Some of the arched recesses in the lower story have open part-hexagonal enclosures, with elaborate crenellated parapets. A similar enclosure at the rear of the building is closed and has a spherical dome.

 The calligraphy and stone work above the arched doorway illustrate the splendid architectural style of that period.

Madrasa or Islamic school

Madarsa is found in Bidar, a small town in Karnataka. It is called Mahmud Gawan Madrasa. It is called so because it was built by a noble man called Mahmud Gawan in 1478. Madarsa is an Islamic educational institution which teaches students to become a scholar. An important function of the madrasa is to admit orphans and poor children in order to provide them with education and training.

The madrasa is a three storied building with a quadrangular plan with towering minarets Gawan had invited architects and engineers from Persia and other middle east countries to build the edifices in the fort. The bulbous domes are, however, in the Timurind style.

This is a wonderful example of Bahmani architecture. The facade is covered of coloured tiles of various designs in a Persian style.

THE BARIDI TOMB

Towards the beginning of the 15th century, a new line of rulers, the Baridis gained control of the territory around Bidar. Their tombs stand is a necropolis just west of the city walls. The tomb seen here on the right is of Khan Jahan, brother of Amir I, the second Baridi sultan. It stands on a high platform in the middle of the walled garden which has elaborate walkways and water channels. The tomb walls have two tiers of double arches decorated with incised plasterwork. The panel above central arch has three symmetrical diagonal squares. The flattish dome rises above a high parapet with corner finials. The simple structure on the left, called Barber's tomb has a dome raised on an unusually high, octagonal neck.

Ali Barid Shahi tomb This ruler was an active patron of architecture. His tomb is considered the masterpiece of Barid Shahi architecture. It stands on a high platform accessed by stairs on all four sides

One of the Barid Shah tombs was apparently struck down by lightning.

Colored tablets, wood carvings and pearl shell work are the hall marks of this style.

The inner walls are also fitted with colored tiles

Each corner of dome is carved with exquisite carvings on plaster.

Both sides of the entrances are designed with flower panels

We can have a great view of the surroundings from this pavilion.

GAGAN

MAHAL : Built in : 1561 A.D.

Location : Bidar, Karnataka

GAGAN MAHAL was built by Ali Adil Shah I around 1561 to serve the dual use of a royal residence and a durbar hall. The entrance to the outer court has a four-centered arch reminding one of Tudor structural design.

Gagan Mahal or Heavenly Palace was built by Ali Adil Shah I in 1561 as a royal palace with a durbar hall. It has three impressive arches and the central arch is the widest.

The platform is 80 ft wide. The arch is 20m long and 17m in height. The courtyard is an open space where thousands can assemble.
There are stairs leading to the stage on both sides in the front.

There are two outlines on each of the eastern and northern facades. Persian emblems of the Lion along with the raising Sun in the background flank the arches on both sides. They are all in mosaic of beautiful coloured tiles.

The Gagan Mahal (Public Audience Hall)or palace in Persian architectural style has glazed mosaics and has an approach with arresting black granite steps interlaid with red sandstone.

Rear views of Gagan Mahal

From the rear of the double hall, the ladies of the harem could watch the animal fights held in the moat below.

The tall walls of the stage is painted a dull beige colour and contains few contemporary designs on it, along with few.

Gagan Mahal, is an open air auditorium, rather an elevated stage for witnessing the performance.