Bidar fort

Bidar is a hill town located in northern part of Indian state of Karnataka. It is sandwiched between the states of Maharashtra to the west and Telangana to the east. It is generally not considered a big tourist town, which is a blessing for those looking  for a quiet time basking in history and pleasant weather. A local metal handicraft, Bidriware, is quite well known across the country though.

  For Delhites like us, an added charm is that no autowallah (i.e. Tuk-Tuk driver)   ever says no to you in this place!

Entrance to 15th Century Bidar Fort, the seat of  Bahmani and Barid Shahi Dynasties

         Remaining colored tiles of Rangeen Mahal. This palace is right next to the fort entrance. Imagine what it would have looked like in its heydays!

      The fort has three massive walls, all along its 5.5 km. circumference, making life very hard for any attacker

      Beautifully manicured garden in from of Tarkash (Turkish?) Mahal. The structure on the right side is Solah Khamba (16 pillared) Mosque. 

                                                            Solah Khamba Mosque

Inside View of Solah Khamba Mosque. Built in 1327, it is one of India's oldest mosques.

                 Bahmanis of Bidar were constantly at war with their neighbours. The evidence is here!

                                                               Stone canon-balls!

Excavations around the fort have yielded this and other interesting artifacts. There is an archaeological museum inside the fort. However when we were there (June 2015) it was closed, presumably due to the renovations.

            Gumbad Darwaza of Bidar Fort. Bidar is also the host to India's second largest airbase.  
     
     

        The road to the left leads to Diwan-i-Aam or Hall-of-Public Audience, the one on the right leads  to Takht Mahal or Hall-of-Private Audience.

     Inside view of Diwan-i-Aam (also known as Chini Mahal). Notice the pillar bases on the top-left.

       A closer view of the granite pillar bases. The pillars themselves were made of wood and therefore ceased to exist long ago.

                                                        Gumbad as seen from Diwan-i-Aam

  Huge Chambers of Diwan-i-Aam. We were told that some of these were used for storing chinaware. Hence its nickname Chini Mahal.

      Stones have evidently been reused to build/repair the some of the walls. Whether this was done by the kings in medieval times or more recently by ASI, only ASI can tell! 

     Takht Mahal (Diwan-i-Khas). This was the place where king conferred with his ministers and other dignitaries. Commoners like us were not allowed in at the time of writing. More seriously I think ASI is just trying to protect its beautiful interiors.

Well nothing could prevent us from taking a long shot of Diwan-i-Khas

     Some structures seem buried under the fallen stones compacted by mud accumulation. Who knows what else lies underneath!

An interesting structure in front of Takht Mahal!

A View of Gun Powder Magazine (this is on the right side after you enter the main gate)

and the stuff that goes with the gun powder!

     This structure is right next to Shahi Matbakh, i.e. the Royal Kitchen. Very appropriately it is now a part of the cafeteria for the tourists!

View from the eastern side of the fort walls

Bidar: A Road Less Travelled