Bidar Fort Catch a glimpse of Karnataka's richly textured history in this rugged 15th century fort surrounded by a triple-moated wall hewn out of red rock, with intricate battlements and an imposing gateway. The crumbling ruins of the bastions and gates, royal baths and kitchens, audience halls, and pleasure pavilions stand as silent testimonies to Bidar's past glory. The Rang Mahal has elaborately carved wooden pillars, Persian couplets engraved in tiles and exquisite mother-of-pearl inlay work. A leisurely stroll through the streets of Bidar takes you to the Madrassa of Khwaja Mahamud Gawan, an Islamic seminary built by Khwaja Mahamud Gawan, a prime minister of the Bahmani court, and the Chaubara, a 71ft. high tower in the heart of the city. From here, move on to Ashtur, to see the Bahmani Tombs whose interiors are adorned by carefully preserved medieval Muslim paintings.


Bidar is a city and taluka in Karnataka state, India . It is the administrative seat of Bidar District . Bidar city is known for its unique Bidri handicraft products. Manjeera is one of the main rivers supplying drinking water for Bidar and Hyderabad cities.

History

The first Rashtrakuta capital, Mayurkhandi , was in Bidar district. The regal capital was later moved by Amoghavarsha I to Manyakheta in the present Gulbarga district .

Kalyani (today called Basavakalyan , after Basaveshwara ) in Bidar district was the capital of Western Chalukyas , who were also called Kalyani Chalukyas after their capital. The Kalachuris continued with Kalyani as their capital.

Later, Bidar was ruled in succession by the Sevuna Yadavas of Devagiri and the Kakatiyas of Warangal , before being invaded by the armies of Allauddin Khilji , Malik Kafur and Muhammad bin Tughluq .

The generals of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq who were nominated as viceroys of the newly conquered Deccan region broke up and formed the Bahmani Sultanate under Allauddin Hasan Gangu Bahman Shah .

The Bahmani capital was shifted from Ahsanabad ( Kalburgi , pronounced as Gulbarga by the Muslim newcomers) to Muhammadabad (Bidar, as it was called then), in 1425 and remained capital until the Sultanate's breakup after 1518 . It then became the center of the Barid Shahis , one of the five independent sultanates known as the Deccan sultanates , that were the successor states to the Bahmani kingdom. The Bidar Sultanate was absorbed by the Bijapur Sultanate to the west in 1619 , which was in turn conquered by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1686 . Bidar was part of the Nizam of Hyderabad 's dominions from 1724 to 1948 , when Hyderabad was annexed to India to become Hyderabad state. In 1956, it became a part of Mysore state , later renamed Karnataka .

Places of interest

Following are the major places of interest: Narasimha Zara (Lord Narasimha Temple), Papa nashini (Shiva Temple), Guru Nanak Jhira Gurudwara , Bidar fort at Bidar, great Friday mosque ar Bidar, madarsa (university)of Mehmood Gawan, choubara(watch tower )at Bidar, several dargahs ( mausoleum ) of local Islamic saints, Basvesvara Temple, Kalyani shariff, 12th Century Cave, Kalyan shariff, Kalyan Fort, Kalyan shairff, Bidri Art Marterials at Old city.

Distance:-	720 km North West of Bangalore Gulbarga - 120km, Hyderabad - 136km.
By Road:-	From Bangalore many Govt Luxury Buses of KSRTC ply daily via Hyderbad, Its 16 hours journey from Bangalore via Hyderabad on NH 7 and NH 9. From Bangalore Via Gulbarga and Bellary its 20 hours journey. From Hyderbad Imaliban bus stand for every 15 minutes a Bus to Bidar is available from Plat form No 36.
By Rail:-	Rail facility is available from Bangalore and Hyderbad. Bangalore - Nanded Link Express Via Bidar, Departure from Bangalore at 9.50 PM. Secundrabad - Manmad Express from Hyderbad Departure at 6 PM from Secundrabad Station, Hyderbad. Hyderbad - Aurangabad Express from Kachiguda weekly thrice. One can also take Udyan express or KK Express from Bangalore reach Gulbarga and take a bus from there, its 105 KMS from Gulbarga.
By Air:-	Rajiv Gandhi International Terminal, Begumpet, Hyderabad is Just 120 Kms away from Bidar District Head Quarters. Its just 2 and half hours drive from the airport to Bidar on NH9 till Zaheerabad and a diversion of 28 KMs after Zaheerabad.
Route:-	Its 16 hours journey from Bangalore via Hyderabad on NH 7 and NH 9. From Bangalore Via Gulbarga and Bellary its 20 hours journey. From Hyderbad Imaliban bus stand for every 15 minutes a Bus to Bidar is available from Plat form No 36.
When to go:-	Any time of the year except summer.
Tourist offices:-	KSTDC(bookings and info) Badami House, NR Square, Bangalore Tel: 080-2275869, Fax: 2352626 Email: kstdc@vsnl.in
Where to stay :-	Hotel Kailash Mahipal Singh Pawar Complex, Near Old Bus Stand, Bidar - 585 401 Tel: 08482-227854, 227727 Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 450/- Hotel Kaveri Gandhigunj Road, Near Nandi Petrol Bunk, Jabshetty Market, Bidar - 585 401 Tel: 08482-223931 Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 450/- Hotel Ashoka Near Deepak Film Talkies, Opposite Sales Tax Office, Bidar - 585 401 Tel: 08482-223931, 227621 Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 450/- Hotel Mayura Opposite new KSRTC bus stand, Bidar - 585 401 Tel: 08482-228142 Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 450/- New Sri Venkateshwara Lodge Near Ambedkar Circle, Station Road, Bidar - 585 401 Tel: 08482-226443 Tariff Range: Rs. 50/- to Rs. 400/- Hotel Prince Udgir Road, Bidar - 585 401 Tel: 08482-225747 Tariff Range: Rs. 170/- to Rs. 220/-.