Bidar Fort is a good symbol of the Bahmani Dynasty. Built by Sultan Alla-Ud-Din Bahman and constructed in Persian, the Fort complex houses an old city comprising over 30 structures, including the Gagan Mahal, the Rangin Mahal, the Takhat Mahal etc. The Fort is a royal town with crumbling ruins of fortresses and gates, royal baths and kitchens, audience halls, and pleasure pavilions. Fort Timings are 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. On Monday, Fort was closed.
The Fort saw prosperity during the mid-ages as the capital and seat of the capacity of the Bahmani dynasty. As per that folklore, the famous Fort has a colourful past and has seen the fall and rise of many ruling families of South India – Satvahanas, Rashtrakutas, Kakatiyas, Chalukyas, and Yadavas are the more known names among them. Later it brings into the hands of the Mughals, Sultanates, and Nizams, and it has seen development, renovation, and enrichment of its constructional beauty.
History of Bidar Fort:
Contents
- 1 History of Bidar Fort:
- 1.0.1 The architecture of Bidar Fort:
- 1.0.2 Information about Bidar Fort:
- 1.0.3 Bidar Fort Timings:
- 1.0.4 Best time to visit Bidar Fort:
- 1.0.5 Bidar Fort Entry Fee:
- 1.0.6 Structures Inside Bidar Fort:
- 1.0.7 Tourist Places nearby Bidar Fort:
- 1.0.8 Hotels nearby Bidar Fort:
- 1.0.9 Bidar Fort Address & Contact Number:
- 1.0.10 How to reach Bidar Fort:
- 1.0.11 FAQs:
- 1.1 Why is Bidar Fort famous?
- 1.2 Who constructed Bidar Fort?
- 1.3 Who destroyed Bidar Fort?
- 1.4 What is the old name of Bidar?
The Bidar Fort had built in the 8th century and later rebuilt in 1428 AD. The Fort was said to be a small fort in 1322. The Tughlaq dynasty followed it under Muhammad Bin Tughlaq in the 14th century. In 1347, the governor of the Sultanate, Hassan Gangu, led a successful revolt and established an independent dynasty of the Bahmani Sultanate in the Deccan.
Hassan Gangu switched his name to Ala-ud-din Bahaman Shah, creating a new family name. Before it shifted to Bidar, Gulbarga was the original capital of the state in 1429 under the rule of Sultan Ahmad Shah – I. The Fort, however, went back to the Nizam for a transient in the 1700s. After the British occupied India, it was under their control. After independence, it came back to the state of Karnataka.
The architecture of Bidar Fort:
The grand Fort has built in an Islamic and Persian style of architecture. When Ahmad Shah redeveloped the old fortress of Bidar, he made an entire royal complex inside the 10 kilometres perimeter of the walls. The glacis, the triple-layered moat and the thick red laterite stone wall. The proof of the foolproof safety the Fort commanded that even the Mughal attack by Aurangzeb used to fire rockets.
Information about Bidar Fort:
Information and Details about Fort
| Type | Fort |
| Controlled by | Government of Karnataka |
| Site | History |
| Construct | 15th century |
| Constructed by | Ahmad Shah I of the Bahamani dynasty from 1429 to 1432 |
| Materials | Laterite and lime mortar |
| GarrisonBidar | Garrison |
Bidar Fort Timings:
Bidar Fort Timings are 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. On Monday, Fort was closed.
| Days | Timings |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 8:30 am to 6:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30 am to 6:00 pm |
| Thursday | 8:30 am to 6:00 pm |
| Friday | 8:30 am to 6:00 pm |
| Saturday | 8:30 am to 6:00 pm |
| Sunday | 8:30 am to 6:00 pm |
Best time to visit Bidar Fort:
According to the tourists, the best time to visit the Bidar Fort is between October and March, as the weather remains pleasant.
Bidar Fort Entry Fee:
Bidar Fort has no entry fee for foreigners and Indians. There is no extra fee for mobile phones and cameras as well.
Structures Inside Bidar Fort:
Rangeen Mahal:
Within the Fort, the complex stands the colourful palace Rangeen Mahal, built by Muhammad Shah during the early 16th century with ornate tiles of vivid colours. It was constructed primarily as a safer enclosure for the royalty but also used for summer escapades, as concluded by the presence of tanks, baths and underground rooms.
Solah Khamba Mosque:
The next stop is a masterpiece by Qubil Sultani in 1423-24 AD with a majestic central dome above extended arches and 16 pillars of its prayer chamber, from where it gets its name. This place of worship is said to be used by Aurangzeb on his many visits to the Deccan.
The Mahals:
South of the Lal Bagh is the Tarkash Mahal, built for a Turkish wife of a Bahmani sultan of Bidar during the 14th-15th century. Built during the same era is the Gagan Mahal, known for its beauty and security. It used to be a place for royalties in the inner part and staff on the outer, but some say that women used to witness animal fights from here down in the moat below.
Takht Mahal:
Takht Mahal was the throne room ever since Ahmad Shah renovated the Fort. It witnessed the coronation of many Bahmani and Barid Shahi rulers over the years within its highly embellished and decorated pavilions.
Diwan-i-Am and Diwan-i-Khas:
While most of us connect these names to the Mughal rulers, this Fort also had a high-walled magnificent audience hall near the mosque. Diwan-i-Am, used as a court for the public, had intricate trellis work, which gave it the name Jali Mahal.
Tourist Places nearby Bidar Fort:
Srikanteshwara Temple:
The Srikanteshwara Temple is situated on the right bank of the Kapila river, in the former pilgrimage town of Nanjangud, in Karnataka. The chapel has dedicated to Shiva, also called Nanjundeshwara and Srikanteshwara. The Mother Goddess is the Goddess Parvati. The temple has also called the Nanjundeshwara temple.
GomateshwaraTemple:
At around 158 km from Bengaluru and 83 km from Mysore, there is a town in Karnataka known as the city of ponds and temples, Shravanabelagola. It is the most renowned Jain pilgrimage in South India. This place is one of the eminent heritage sites in Karnataka.
Talakadu:
Talakadu is a historical destination that is very famous as a pilgrimage site and is known as the Kashi of the South, a must-visit goal while you are planning a trip to Mysore. At the destination, Talakadu, there are over 30 temples buried under the sand. There are a few excavated ones that are open for public view.
Gokarna Temple:
The lovely small town of Gokarna in the Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka is famous for its pristine beaches and classical temples. The Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna, is one of the most visited temples in the town. This shrine has dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Kukke Subramanya Temple:
Kukke Subramanya Temple, one of the 7 Mukti Sthalas of Karnataka, is dedicated to God Subrahmanya. It is most famous for Sarpa Samskara Pooja performed to eliminate Kala Sarpa Dosha. Also, the temple’s primary idol shows Lord Subramanya standing above the Serpents, Vasuki and Shesha.
Hotels nearby Bidar Fort:
- sagar Regency
- Vybe
- Hotel Shiva International
- Hotel Bidar Gateway
- Hotel Vikas
- Kasturi International
- Hotel Mayura
- Hotel Ashoka Bidar
- Kaveri Hotel
Bidar Fort Address & Contact Number:
- Old City Fort Area, Bidar, Karnataka, 585401.
- Contact Number: 080 2235 2828
How to reach Bidar Fort:
By Road:
The nearest bus stand is the Bidar Bus stand.
By Rail:
Bidar city railway station is 3 km from the Fort.
By Air:
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is near the Fort.
FAQs:
Why is Bidar Fort famous?
The Bidar Fort has a lot of ancient milestones – the rise and fall of the Bahmani dynasty, the rise and separation of the five Deccan Sultans, the capture by the Barid Shahi and Adil Shahi dynasties, and finally being won by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the blockade of Bidar in 1657.
Who constructed Bidar Fort?
Ahmad Shah Wali Bahman built the Fort.
Who destroyed Bidar Fort?
Bidar Fort is one of the glories of the Bidar district of Karnataka, its northernmost community. The Fort had initially built by the Kakatiya Hindu dynasty, which the Islamic Delhi Sultanate destroyed. The Fort then fell into the hands of the Bahmanis, who rebuilt it.
What is the old name of Bidar?
Under the rule of the Bahmani Sultanate, Bidar had known as Muhammadabad.