Bidar Fort - 30 Isalmic monuments inside the fort complex

With the establishment of the Bahmani Sultanate (1347), Bidar was occupied by Sultan Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah. It was in 1428, the mightiest Sultanate ruler Sultan Ahmad Shah Bahmani created this fort with 10 km perimetres of the walls inside the complex. The Bidar fort boasts of a dominating presence in this plateau spanning a vast area of land and looks intense. Bidar Fort is counted to have around 30 Isalmic monuments inside the fort complex. Solah Khamba Mosque was built in 1423 by Qubil Sultani. It has a central dome perched on 16 (Solah in Hindi) pillars and long arches. Visitors are not allowed to go into this mosque but the view from outside is itself fascinating.

The Gagan Mahal is lauded for its beauty and security techniques. It was a residential complex for the royals. An archaeological museum in the complex has a collection of royal possessions. The Tarkash Mahal was built in the 14th to 15th century for the Turkish wife of a sultan of Bidar. The Takht Mahal is the throne room of the fort. Rangeen Mahal palace was an another interesting attraction constructed by Muhammad Shah in the 16th century. It was decorated with bright, colorful tiles. The palace was to protect royalty and it was also used as a summer getaway. There are a number of underground rooms, including tanks and baths. Behind the palace is a museum where visitors can come across a number of artifacts. Shahi Malbkh, an adjacent building to the Rangeen Mahal is the royal kitchen.

There is an audience hall namd Diwan-I-Am that was used as a public hearing court. Gumbaz Darwaza and Sharza Darwaza gateways are the structure of 45 feet high and their walls are 22 feet thick. There is a passage linking these two gateways where the army could take up its position to defend the fort. This area has a number of large guns and escape tunnels in case of emergencies.The rulers who once lived here might be no more but the aura of the place definitely feels the same for the tourists. The Palaces, gardens, fountains, perfumed baths in the fort gives one a feeling of traveling through the fantasy of the Arabian Nights. A visit to this fort reflects the rich and chequered history of the place.