Bidar Fort

Bidar Fort is one of the major tourist destinations of Karnataka. This fort belongs to the Chalukyas, who founded their empire in the south, approximately in the year 977 AD. Kalyani was the capital of the Chalukya empire, which is near the Bidar Fort. For a while, this fort was under the Yadavas of Devagiri. In 1322, the Kalyanas of Warangal took over the fort. From 1724, Bidar remained as a land of the Nizams of Hyderabad. It was a part of the Hyderabad state until 1948.

The Bidar Fort is located at a height of 2,200 feet above the sea level. The main entrance of the fort is the gift of the Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali of the Bahamani kingdom. The grand fort houses inside a regal town dotted with collapsing remains, imperial kitchens and bathrooms, pavilions for entertainment and also meeting halls. The fort has a three mile long wall and 37 bastions.

The Rangin Mahal, which is famous for its aesthetic style and beautiful carvings, is inside the Bidar Fort. It was used to serve as a place of worship. This palace is one of the major attractions of the fort and is popular for the abundance of attractive wooden furnishings. The floor of the palace is covered with charming glassy mosaics. An entry from the Gumbad Darwaza steps takes one directly to the Rangin Mahal.

The Solah Khamba mosque is another of the important constructions that can be found inside the Bidar Fort. This mosque was built in 1327 and it presents an impressive picture along with its huge round columns. Some of the other attractions of the Bidar Fort are the Gagan Mahal, the Diwan-E-Am, the Naubat Khana and the Takhat Mahal. The Diwan-E-Am was the audience hall where some entertainment programs were performed.

The Bidar Fort was restructured under the Delhi Sultanate and there were many changes made to make the fort more attractive and modern. The verdant green fields around the fort, decorated with perfumed fountains and baths suitable for a royal group, greatly beautify the fort. The perfect time to visit Bidar is during September and February. Hyderabad is the nearest airport from Bidar. Bidar is linked by road to most cities in South India. Besides that, rail service from Bangalore and Hyderabad are available to Bidar.

Last Updated On: 2011/07/11