Bidar

The name Bidar appears to be derived from Kannada word ‘bidiru’, which means bamboo.{{Cite web |title=About Bidar District {{!}} Bidar District, Government of Karnataka {{!}} India |url=https://bidar.nic.in/en/about-district/ |access-date=20 April 2022 |language=en-US}} It was also referred as Bhadrakot.{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iRJuAAAAMAAJ|title=A Comprehensive History of India: The Delhi Sultanate, A.D. 1206-1526|year=1970|publisher=People's Publishing House|author=Mohammad Habib and Khaliq Ahmad Nizami|page=465}}

Legend has associated Bidar with the ancient kingdom of Vidarbha, to which references are found in early Hindu literature like Malavikagnimitra, Mahabharata, the Harivamsa, Bhagavata, and a few other Puranas.{{sfn|Yazdani, 1947|pp=3}}{{rp|3}} Its association can be seen apparently on account of the similarity in names Bidar and Vidarbha. This has been mentioned in Firishta's writings.

The traditional tales reveal that Vidura lived here; hence the place was earlier called Viduranagara and also as the place where Nala and Damayanti (Daughter of Raja Bhima, the King of Vidharba) were meeting.{{cite book|title=Karnataka Gazetteer|date=1 January 1983|publisher=Govt. of Karnataka|edition=Second}}

Bidar under the rule of the Bahmani Sultanate was known as Muhammadabad.

{{main|History of Bidar}}

The recorded History of the city goes back to the third century B.C. when it was a part of the Mauryan Empire. After the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Kadamba and Chalukyas of Badami and later the Rashtrakutas reigned over Bidar territory. The Chalukyas of Kalyana and Kalachuris of Kalyanis also regained the area. For a short period after Kalyani Chalukyas the area of Bidar was under the rule of Seunas of Devagiri and Kakatiyas of Warangal.

{{Hatnote|Main article: Bahamani Sultanate}}

The Delhi Sultanate invaded the area first by Allauddin Khilji, and later, Muhammed-bin-Tughluq took control of entire Deccan including Bidar. In the middle of the 14th century, the Sultan of Delhi's officers that were stationed in Deccan rebelled and this resulted in the establishment of Bahmanid Dynasty in 1347 A.D. at Gulbarga/Hasanabad (present Kalaburagi). There was frequent warfare between the Bahmanids and the Vijaynagar Kingdom.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bidartourism.com/history.html |title=History of Bidar |access-date=27 August 2014 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903204128/http://www.bidartourism.com/history.html |url-status=dead }}

The history of the present fort at Bidar is attributed to the sultan Ahmed Shah Wali Bahmani, the sultan of the Bahmani dynasty till 1427, when he shifted his capital from Gulbarga to Bidar since it had better climatic conditions and was also a fertile and fruit-bearing land. The earliest recorded history of its existence as a small and strong fort is also traced to prince Ulugh Khan in 1322, whereafter it came under the reign of the Tughlaq dynasty.{{Cite web | url=http://kannadasiri.kar.nic.in/heritage/heritage_areas.htm | title=Heritage Areas}}

With the establishment of the Bahmanid dynasty (1347), Bidar was occupied by Sultan Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah Bahmani. During the rule of Ahmad Shah I (1422–1486), Bidar was made the capital city of Bahmani Kingdom.{{sfn|Yazdani, 1947|pp=5}}{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 |pages=106–108}} The old fort was rebuilt and madrasas, mosques, palaces, and gardens were raised. Mahmud Gawan, who became the prime minister in 1466, was a notable figure in the history of Bidar. Bidar remained under the Barid Shahi dynasty until conquest by the Bijapur Sultanate in 1619.

Aurangzeb came to Bidar after his father, Padshah (emperor) Shah Jahan, appointed him the Prince of Deccan. He wrested the Bidar Fort from the Adil Shahis after a 21-day war in 1656. With this, Bidar became a part of the Mughal dynasty for the second time.{{cite news|title=An occasion to recall Aurangazeb's association with this historic city|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/an-occasion-to-recall-aurangazebs-association-with-this-historic-city/article1505356.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=5 March 2015|date=3 March 2011|last1=Desai|first1=Rishikesh Bahadur}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/64749/Bidar|title=Geography and travel|access-date=2009-11-08|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091204074805/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/64749/Bidar| archive-date= 4 December 2009 | url-status= live}} Bidar was made a subah (imperial top-level province) in 1656, which Telangana Subah was merged into the next year.{{sfn|Haig, 1907|pp=102}}

In 1724, Bidar became a part of the Asaf Jahi Kingdom of the Nizams. Third son of Asaf jah l ( Nizam l ) Mir Sa'id Muhammad Khan, Salabat Jang ruled from Bidar fort from 1751 to 1762, till his brother Mir Nizam Ali Khan Asaf Jah III imprisoned him in this fort, and was killed in Bidar fort on 16 September 1763. Mohammedabad old name of Bidar is also on his name. It was connected to Hyderabad by rail in the early 20th century.{{sfn|Yazdani, 1947|pp=20}} After India's independence, in 1956 all Kannada speaking areas were merged to form the Mysore State and Bidar became part of the new Mysore (now Karnataka) state.{{Cite book

| last = Sherwani | first = Haroon Khan

| title = Cultural trends in medieval India: architecture, painting, literature & language

| pages = 14–16

| access-date = 2009-11-07

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=u_YtAAAAMAAJ&q=Gulbarga+Fort

| publisher = Asia Pub. House

| year = 1969

| isbn = 9780210981436

}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/g/019pho0000430s6u00044000.html|title= Gulbarga Fort|access-date=2009-11-07|publisher=British Library On Line gallery}}

{{Hatnote|Main article: Qanat}}

Ancient Karez System in the city have been recently discovered. The Karez (Qanat) is an underground network of aqueducts for water supply. The Bidar Karez, built in the 15th century, is more than {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} long with 21 air vents.{{cite news |date=17 December 2012 |title=Picnic spot of Barid Shahi kings discovered in Bidar |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/picnic-spot-of-barid-shahi-kings-discovered-in-bidar/article4208180.ece |access-date=5 March 2015}} Underground canals, built to connect underground water streams, were meant to provide drinking water to civilian settlements and the garrison inside the Bidar fort. This was necessary in a city where the soil was rocky and drilling wells was difficult.{{Cite web |title=About Bidar District {{!}} Bidar District, Government of Karnataka {{!}} India |url=https://bidar.nic.in/en/about-district/ |access-date=12 March 2022 |language=en-US}} The Bidar karez systems, believed to be the earliest ones in India, were constructed during the Bahmani period. According to Gulam Yazdani's documentation, Bidar has three karez systems: Naubad, Shukla Theerth, and Jamna Mori. Among these, Shukla Theerth stands out as the longest karez system in Bidar. The origin well of this karez was found near Gornalli Kere, a historic embankment. Jamna Mori, on the other hand, primarily served as a distribution system within the old city, with numerous channels intersecting the city streets.{{Cite book |last=Yazdani |first=G. |title=Bidar: Its History and Monuments |date=1995-10-01 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-1071-6 |edition=1st Indian |location=Delhi |language=English}}

Restoration efforts began in 2014, focusing on the desilting and excavation of the Naubad Karez.{{Cite web |date=2015-12-14 |title=Resurrecting the Karez |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/517462/resurrecting-karez.html |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}} In 2015, this initiative led to the discovery of 27 vertical shafts connected to the Karez. The rejuvenation of these systems has had a significant positive impact on Bidar, a city facing water scarcity. Additionally, in 2016, during a sewage line excavation, a seventh line of the system was uncovered.{{Cite news |date=2016-06-29 |title=New 'surang bavi' line found in Bidar |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/New-%E2%80%98surang-bavi%E2%80%99-line-found-in-Bidar/article14409242.ece |access-date=2023-05-22 |issn=0971-751X}}

Bidar is located at {{Coord|17.9|N|77.5|E}},{{cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Bidar.html |title=Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Bidar |publisher=Fallingrain.com |access-date=2013-12-19}} lies at a central position in Deccan, a plateau at an elevation of 2300 ft from the sea level. It has common boundaries with Maharashtra and Telangana which is, with the districts of Nizamabad and Medak in Telangana on the East and the districts of Latur, Nanded and Osmanabad in Maharashtra on the west. On the south lies the district Gulbarga of Karnataka.{{Cite web |date= |title=Map of District |url=https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s32ca65f58e35d9ad45bf7f3ae5cfd08f1/uploads/2020/08/2020082741-723x1024.jpg |website=Bidar District Website - Government of Karnataka}}

File:Laterite - Bidar.JPG under the Top soil Layer]]

The upper crust of the plateau is of laterite, a soft porous rock with limonitic surface. This crust varies in depth from {{convert|100|ft|m|abbr=on}} to {{convert|500|ft|m|abbr=on}} and rests on a bed of trap, which is of much harder texture and less pervious to water. The volume of water filtered during the monsoons through the laterite stratum is arrested by the trappean bed, and a nursery of springs is formed whose natural level of effluence is the line of contact of the two strata along the base of the cliffs of the plateau. The water in course of time frets out for itself an orifice and macerates and loosens portions of its rocky channel till a rift is produced. The rift gradually dilates into a ravine, and the ravine expands into a vale.

The Karez System is built along a geological fracture. Such fractures are formed at the intersection of laterite and basalt rocks and form lineaments or springs that yield water.{{cite news|title=A thrilling walk through medieval waterways|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/a-thrilling-walk-through-medieval-waterways/article6556625.ece|access-date=6 March 2015|work=The Hindu|date=2 November 2014}}

{{see also|Bidar district#Laterite}}

Bidar soils are deep (>100 cm), well-drained gravelly red clayey soils developed on plateaus of laterites. They are slightly acid to neutral (pH 6.6) in reaction with low cation exchange capacity. They are highly gravelly soils with gravel content (60 to 10%) that decrease with depth.Characterisation of sugarcane soils of Karnataka L.C.K. Naidu, National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning. Regional Centre. Hebbal.

Bangalore 560024.

The winter season is from November to middle of February. Bidar is one of the coldest cities (by southern standards) in Karnataka as the minimum temperature during winter nights regularly hovers around 11-12 during December, which is the coldest month with mean daily maximum temperature of 27.3 C and mean daily minimum of 13.4 C. From the middle of the February, both day and night temperatures begin to rise rapidly. May is the hottest month with mean daily maximum temperature of 38.8 C and mean daily minimum of 25.9 C. With the withdrawal of southwest monsoon in the first week of October, there is slight increase in day temperature but night temperature decreases steadily. After October, both day and night temperatures decreases progressively. The highest maximum temperature recorded at Bidar was on 8-5-1931(43.3-degree C) and the lowest minimum was on 5-1-1901(2.9-degree C, the lowest temperature ever recorded in Karnataka).{{cite web|url=http://www.bidar.nic.in/ |title=Bidar District Website |publisher=Bidar.nic.in |date=2013-10-21 |access-date=2013-12-19}}

Present day Bidar covers an expanse of 5448 square kilometres of land and lies between 17°35' and 18°25' North latitudes and 76°42' and 77°39' east longitudes.

{{Weather box

| location = Bidar (1991–2020, extremes 1901–2020)

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan record high C = 36.2

| Feb record high C = 39.4

| Mar record high C = 41.7

| Apr record high C = 43.8

| May record high C = 44.0

| Jun record high C = 44.0

| Jul record high C = 38.8

| Aug record high C = 36.1

| Sep record high C = 36.7

| Oct record high C = 36.7

| Nov record high C = 36.1

| Dec record high C = 36.8

| year record high C = 44.0

| Jan high C = 29.6

| Feb high C = 32.6

| Mar high C = 36.1

| Apr high C = 38.4

| May high C = 39.3

| Jun high C = 34.3

| Jul high C = 30.2

| Aug high C = 29.2

| Sep high C = 30.1

| Oct high C = 30.6

| Nov high C = 29.6

| Dec high C = 28.3

| year high C = 32.5

| Jan low C = 15.6

| Feb low C = 17.7

| Mar low C = 21.3

| Apr low C = 23.9

| May low C = 25.1

| Jun low C = 23.0

| Jul low C = 21.6

| Aug low C = 21.2

| Sep low C = 21.1

| Oct low C = 20.2

| Nov low C = 17.7

| Dec low C = 15.3

| year low C = 20.3

| Jan record low C = 6.2

| Feb record low C = 9.4

| Mar record low C = 10.2

| Apr record low C = 12.6

| May record low C = 14.2

| Jun record low C = 17.2

| Jul record low C = 15.0

| Aug record low C = 18.0

| Sep record low C = 16.7

| Oct record low C = 12.6

| Nov record low C = 10.2

| Dec record low C = 5.6

| year record low C = 5.6

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain mm = 7.5

| Feb rain mm = 1.0

| Mar rain mm = 15.8

| Apr rain mm = 26.2

| May rain mm = 24.5

| Jun rain mm = 118.8

| Jul rain mm = 155.3

| Aug rain mm = 185.7

| Sep rain mm = 155.8

| Oct rain mm = 119.7

| Nov rain mm = 23.6

| Dec rain mm = 3.0

| year rain mm = 836.9

| Jan rain days = 0.4

| Feb rain days = 0.1

| Mar rain days = 1.1

| Apr rain days = 2.1

| May rain days = 2.4

| Jun rain days = 7.4

| Jul rain days = 10.0

| Aug rain days = 11.0

| Sep rain days = 8.3

| Oct rain days = 5.6

| Nov rain days = 1.5

| Dec rain days = 0.2

| year rain days = 50.2

|time day = 17:30 IST

| Jan humidity = 45

| Feb humidity = 38

| Mar humidity = 36

| Apr humidity = 37

| May humidity = 37

| Jun humidity = 57

| Jul humidity = 68

| Aug humidity = 72

| Sep humidity = 67

| Oct humidity = 61

| Nov humidity = 56

| Dec humidity = 50

|year humidity = 51

|source 1 = India Meteorological Department{{cite web

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf

| title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| access-date = April 8, 2024

}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| title = Station: Bidar Climatological Table 1981–2010

| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = January 2015

| pages = 147–148

| access-date = 18 April 2020}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| page = M91

| access-date = 18 April 2020}}

}}

{{bar box

|title=Religions in Bidar City (2011){{Cite web|date=2011|title=Table C-01 Population by Religion: Karnataka|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11378/download/14491/DDW29C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=censusindia.gov.in|publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

|titlebar=#Fcd116

|left1=Religion

|right1=Percent

|float=left

|bars=

{{bar percent|Hinduism|darkorange|54.63}}

{{bar percent|Islam|green|34.53}}

{{bar percent|Christianity|dodgerblue|6.68}}

{{bar percent|Buddhism|gold|2.10}}

{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|2.06}}

|caption=Distribution of religions

}}

At the time of the 2011 census, Bidar had a population of 216,020. Bidar city has a sex ratio of 938 females to males and a literacy rate of 85.90%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 14.11% and 4.73% of the population respectively.{{cite web |year=2011 |title=District Census Handbook: Bidar |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/592/download/2016/DH_2011_2904_PART_A_DCHB_BIDAR.pdf |access-date= |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

{{Pie chart

|caption = Languages of Bidar city (2011)

|label1 = Kannada |value1 = 52.23 |color1 = darkslateblue

|label2 = Urdu |value2 = 33.32 |color2 = green

|label3 = Marathi |value3 = 5.54 |color3 = red

|label4 = Hindi |value4 = 3.67 |color4 = orange

|label5 = Telugu |value5 = 3.33 |color5 = aqua

|label6 = Others |value6 = 1.91 |color6 = grey

}}

At the time of the 2011 census, 52.23% of the population spoke Kannada, 33.32% Urdu, 5.54% Marathi, 3.67% Hindi and 3.33% Telugu as their first language.{{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue (Town): Karnataka |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10255/download/13367/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-2900.XLSX |website=www.censusindia.gov.in |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

Once a home to many cottage industries, such as cotton and oil-ginning mills,Bidar District Gazetteer, Govt. Printing Press, Bangalore, 1977. there are now few industries that draw on local raw materials or skills. Even the well known form of local articrafts, bidri ware, is in a state of decline. Increasing prices of materials, especially silver, and declining sales have meant that many of the hereditary artisans are no longer employed in the production of such ware.Agrarian Distress in Bidar, A report by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED STUDIES, 1999 Bidar city has a large industrial area known as Kolhar industrial area.{{Cite web |title=Brief Industrial Profile of BIDAR District |url=https://dcmsme.gov.in/old/dips/DIP-%20Bidar.pdf |website=Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India |publisher=MSME-Development Institute}}{{Cite web |title=Bidar District Map- Talukas |url=https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s32ca65f58e35d9ad45bf7f3ae5cfd08f1/uploads/2020/08/2020082778.pdf |website=Government of Karnataka - Bidar District}}

{{location map+|India|width=400|float=right|caption=Distance from major Metropolitan cities near to Bidar.|places=

{{Location map~|India|label=Bidar|position=left|lat=17.9|long=77.5|marksize=5}}

{{Location map~|India|label=Hyderabad {{convert|140|km|mi|abbr=on}} |position=right|lat=17.20|long=78.80}}

{{Location map~|India|label=Bangalore {{convert|700|km|mi|abbr=on}}|position=bottom|lat=12.58|long=77.35}}

{{location map~|India|label=Mumbai {{convert|600|km|mi|abbr=on}}|position=top|lat=18.96|long=72.82}}

{{location map~|India|label=Chennai {{convert|788|km|mi|abbr=on}}|position=right|lat=13.50|long=80.16}}

}}

Bidar is symbolically described as City of Whispering Monuments.{{cite news|title=Bidar Utsav from February 18|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/bidar-utsav-from-february-18/article1161421.ece|agency=The Hindu|issue=Bidar [HY–GB]|publisher=Kasturi & Sons Ltd.|date=6 February 2011}} The mountaintop city that served as the capital of medieval Deccan, has 98 monuments of which four national monuments are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and 14 by the State Archaeology Department, Karnataka.

Bidar earned a place on the World Monument Watchlist 2014.{{cite news|title=Urgent need to promote tourism in Bidar|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/urgent-need-to-promote-tourism-in-bidar/article6807047.ece|agency=The Hindu|issue=Bidar [HY–GB]|publisher=Kasturi & Sons Ltd.|date=21 January 2015}} Of the 741 proposals received from 166 countries, 67 sites from 41 countries were finally selected which were announced by WMF president Bonnie Burnham in New York on 8 October 2013.{{cite news|title=Bidar only South Indian monument to figure in latest World Monuments Fund list|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/bidar-only-south-indian-monument-to-figure-in-latest-world-monuments-fund-list/article5218440.ece?ref=relatedNews|agency=The Hindu|issue=Bidar [HY–GB]|publisher=Kasturi Sons & Ltd.|date=10 October 2013}} Along with "the historic city of Bidar", two other sites in India to figure in the list were the house of Sheikh Salim Chisti in Fatehpur Sikri and Juna Mahal in Rajasthan.

The WMF in its current watch site for "the historic city of Bidar" says ″challenges to the site include a lack of integrated conservation and maintenance, environmental pollution, and the construction of new developments and roadways that encroach on the historic fabric. Current land use regulations also threaten the economic livelihood of many of the city's residents, and it is hoped that revised, context-specific planning policies would both protect Bidar's historic assets while also supporting the future of its local population. It is hoped that Watch-listing will spur documentation and analysis of the city's conditions, followed by policy development and applied conservation interventions that will reveal and maintain Bidar's rich heritage, as well as support a robust and sustainable tourist industry.″{{cite web|title=Historic City of Bidar|url=http://www.wmf.org/project/historic-city-bidar|publisher=World Monuments Fund}}

{{main|Mahmud Gawan Madrasa}}

This grandiose madrasa was built by the prime-minister of the Bahmani empire, Mahmud Gawan in the late 15th century. Its only the most imposing building of the Bahmani period, but in its plan and in the general style of its architecture it is a unique monument of its kind in India. The Madrasa, a multi-disciplinary university he set up, which had a library of around 3,000 valuable manuscripts, was severely damaged when gunpowder stored inside the rooms went off during a 27-day siege of the city by Mughal king Aurangazeb in 1656. The Mahmud Gawan Madrasa is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.{{sfn|Yazdani, 1947|pp=91-93}}

{{main|Bidar Fort}}

Bidar Fort is considered one of the most formidable forts of the country. Bidar city was distinctly planned and built. The main citadel complex housed the royal places. Mahals and Mosque. Adjoining to this on the southern side, the city was built for the people. Both the citadel complex and city had separate forts for protection the plan of the Bidar city fortification is pentagonal. There are five gateways for entry into the city fort. It is main citadel complex fort which is stronger.

It is built on the brink of the plateau. Engineers and architecture of various countries were employed on its design and construction.

A Museum is preset there having old armor, old sculptures. including many of the ancient stones,{{Cite web |title=Bidar Fort {{!}} Bidar District, Government of Karnataka {{!}} India |url=https://bidar.nic.in/en/tourist-place/bidar-fort/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Bidar Fort {{!}} Karnataka, India {{!}} Attractions |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/karnataka/bidar/attractions/bidar-fort/a/poi-sig/1149473/356324 |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Lonely Planet |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The Glorious Bidar Fort |url=http://www.indianculture.gov.in/node/2730056 |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=INDIAN CULTURE |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Datta |first1=Rangan |title=Bidar Fort in Karnataka: A treasure trove of south Indian heritage |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/bidar-fort-in-karnataka-a-grand-architecture-with-a-great-historical-past/cid/1942732 |access-date=11 October 2023 |agency=My Kolkata |publisher=The Telegraph |date=6 June 2023}}

File:Bidar fort pictures 05.jpg

• Rangeen Mahal, situated in the fort, near Gumbad Darwaza, is unique because of its decoration with coloured tiles and other art work. Wood carving done there is not only precious but also unique. The walls of Mahal are adorned with mother-of-pearl of the finest quality in laid in jet-black stone. Floral patterns and calligraphic text are also depicted here. Stone carving, stucco art are other attractions of this monument. It was rebuilt during Barid Shahi period. The design of this monument represents a blend of both Hindu and Muslim architecture. There are rooms in the basement of the Rangin Mahal.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bidartourism.com/rangeenMahal.html |title=Rangeen Mahal |access-date=27 August 2014 |archive-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427154129/http://www.bidartourism.com/rangeenMahal.html |url-status=dead }}
• Tarkash Mahal is said to have been built for Turkish wife of the sultan. From the remains of the decorative work found in the ornamentation of the walls, it can be said that the Mahal was built or extended by the Barid Shahi Sultans who had kept large harem with ladies from different nationalities.The rooms were decorated with stucco work.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bidartourism.com/TarkashMahal.html |title=Tarkash Mahal |access-date=27 August 2014 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903203858/http://www.bidartourism.com/TarkashMahal.html |url-status=dead }}
• Gagan Mahal was originally built by the Bahamani kings and some alterations and additions were made by the Barid Shahi rulers. It has two courts. The outer court was used by the male staff and guards. The inner court also, there are rooms on either side of the covered passage for the accommodation of the guards. The main building of the palace was for the use of the sultan and his harem.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bidartourism.com/GaganMahal.html |title=Gagan Mahal |access-date=27 August 2014 |archive-date=26 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326202709/http://www.bidartourism.com/GaganMahal.html |url-status=dead }}
• Takht Mahal, The Royal Palace, was built by Ahemd shah. It was the royal residence. The place was fully decorated with coloured titles and stone carvings part of which can be seen even today. It had two side royal pavilions with lofty arches and a spacious hall at the back of which was the sultan's room. The building had stately dimensions and exquisite surface decoration. The coronations of several Bahamanis and Barid Shahi sultans were held there. From the royal pavilion which is situated behind throne palace one can view the valley and low land below.
• Solah Khamba Mosque (Solah Sutoon Ki Masjid) was built by Qubil Sultani between 1423 and 1424. The mosque derives its name from the 16 pillars that are lined in the front of the structure. Popularly known as the Zanana Masjid, this mosque is about 90 metres long and 24 metres wide. Behind the southern wall of this mosque, there is a large well. Characterised by columns, arches and domes, this mosque is one of the largest in India.{{Cite web | url=http://www.holidayiq.com/Solah-Khamba-Mosque-Bidar-Sightseeing-649-757.html | title=Solah Khamba Mosque Place of Worship in Bidar - Video Reviews, Photos, History}}

Apart from the fort Bidar houses several historical structures consisting of a couple of tomb complexes, a madrasa, a tower and a few gateways along with the fortification wall topped with battlements.{{cite news |last1=Datta |first1=Rangan |title=Ruined tombs, madrasa, royal gateways: Whispering monuments beyond Bidar Fort in Karnataka |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/whispering-monuments-beyond-bidar-fort-in-karnataka/cid/1943118 |access-date=11 October 2023 |agency=My Kolkata |publisher=The Telegraph |date=7 June 2023}}

• Chaubara is a tall tower, facing in four directions. This is an old cylindrical tower of 22 meters, height is situated in the centre of Bidar city. It was used as a watchtower, commanding a fine view of the entire plateau from the top. A winding staircase of eight steps leads to the top of the tower, a clock is being placed on top of the tower, can be viewed from all the four directions .{{Cite web |url=http://www.bidartourism.com/Chaubara.html |title=Chaubara |access-date=20 August 2014 |archive-date=1 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201072716/http://www.bidartourism.com/Chaubara.html |url-status=dead }}
• Jama Masjid, a large mosque with no minarets, located near Chaubara.{{Cite web |title=Jama-Musjid, Beder - Lala Deen Dayal |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/jama-musjid-beder-lala-deen-dayal/PwG6vUlQfnfYXA |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Google Arts & Culture |language=en}}
• Bahmani Tombs called as "Ashtur"
• Chaukhandi of Hazrat Khalil Ullah{{Cite web |last=Bhat |first=Kirana |date=2023-04-23 |title=The Ashtur Necropolis |url=https://kiranabhat.com/2023/04/23/the-ashtur-necropolis/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Kirana Bhat |language=en}}
• Barid Shahi tombs{{sfn|Haig, 1907|pp=103-104}}
• Chaukhandi of Hazrat Khalil Ullah{{cite news |title=A tomb that resonates with spiritual minds |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/spectrum/spectrum-top-stories/a-tomb-that-resonates-with-spiritual-minds-753203.html |access-date=7 January 2021 |work=Deccan Herald |date=10 August 2019 |language=en}}

{{main|Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib}}

Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Saheb is known to be one of Holiest Place For Sikh Devotees in India and is believed that first Sikh Guru Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji visited the place during famine in this region.{{Cite web |date=2012-12-20 |title=Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib Bidar, Karnataka, India {{!}} Indian Religious Temples |url=http://indianreligioustemple.blogspot.com/2012/12/gurudwara-nanak-jhira-sahib-bidar.html |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib Bidar, Karnataka, India {{!}} Indian Religious Temples}}

File:The Karnataka tableau passes through the Rajpath during the Republic Day Parade, 2011.jpg Handicraft from Bidar passes through the Rajpath during the Republic Day Parade 2011.]]

{{Main|Bidriware}}

Bidriware, one of the rarest and most intricate art forms is now unique to the city.{{cite news|title=Tracing the history of Bidriware|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/tracing-the-history-of-bidriware/article2827019.ece|access-date=5 March 2015|work=The Hindu|date=24 January 2012}} This native art form has obtained Geographical Indications (GI) registry.{{cite news|title=Innovative designs help revive Bidriware|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/innovative-designs-help-revive-bidriware/article1226893.ece|access-date=6 March 2015|work=The Hindu|date=26 March 2008}} The various art forms created by artists from Bidar city centuries ago are now major attractions in museums such as Victoria and Albert Museum, London, the National Museum in New Delhi and Indian Museum in Kolkata.

The Karnataka tableau at the 2011 Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in New Delhi featured Bidriware and Bidri artisans from Bidar.

Rehaman Patel did an extensive research in Bidri Art from Gulbarga University. His book in Kannada version (2012) and English version (2017) also published on Bidri Art.

All the dignitaries & guests of XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 were presented with mementos hand crafted in Bidri art. This art form is the Union government's choice for souvenirs at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The Kingfisher company owner Vijay Mallya has a bidri dining table with floral designs made of nearly 3.5 kg silver.{{cite news|title=A Bidri dining table for the Mallya family|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/a-bidri-dining-table-for-the-mallya-family/article4419455.ece|access-date=6 March 2015|work=The Hindu|date=16 February 2013}}

File:Distance from major cities to North Karnataka.jpg to Bidar]]

Bidar has connectivity with Bangalore, Hyderabad, Sainagar Shirdi, Parbhani Jn, Aurangabad, Latur, Nanded, Manmad, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Machilipatnam, Vijayawada and Renigunta (according to railway budget 2014–15) Construction of the Gulbarga-Bidar link is completed which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.{{cite web| url =https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2017/oct/28/light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-pm-modi-to-open-bidar-kalaburagi-railway-line-1685272.html | title= PM Modi to inaugurate Bidar-Kalaburgi railway line }}{{cite web | url =http://www.infrastructuretoday.co.in/News.aspx?nId=5u7GH+mdQ0sgr6I2G1IWDQ== | title =Bidar-Gulbarga rail service | publisher =Infrastructure Today, January 2012 | access-date =21 December 2013 | archive-date =1 July 2015 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150701184616/http://www.infrastructuretoday.co.in/News.aspx?nId=5u7GH+mdQ0sgr6I2G1IWDQ== | url-status =dead }}

Bidar-Hyderabad inter-city train service became operative in September 2012.{{Cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hyderabadbidar-intercity-train/289863-60.html |title=Hyderabad-Bidar inter-city train |access-date=18 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011225610/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hyderabadbidar-intercity-train/289863-60.html |archive-date=11 October 2014 |url-status=dead }} A Bidar-Yeshwantpur (Daily) express train{{cite web|title=Frequency of Bidar-Y'pur Train to be Increased|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/Frequency-of-Bidar-Y’pur-Train-to-be-Increased/2014/12/23/article2584660.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704051744/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/Frequency-of-Bidar-Y%E2%80%99pur-Train-to-be-Increased/2014/12/23/article2584660.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 July 2015|publisher=The New Indian Express|date=23 December 2014}} and Bidar-LTT Mumbai express train{{cite news|title=First Bidar-Mumbai train to be flagged off today|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/first-bidarmumbai-train-to-be-flagged-off-today/article6876995.ece|publisher=Kasturi & Sons Ltd.|access-date=10 February 2015|date=10 February 2015|newspaper=The Hindu}} service has been started recently. Another train starting from Bidar through Latur to Mumbai started, which runs on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Bidar Airport, also known as Bidar Air Force Station, {{airport codes|IXX|VOBR}} is a military airbase cum Domestic Airport in Bidar, Karnataka, India.{{Cite web |title=Bidar Airforce Station |url=http://ourairports.mobi/airports/VOBR/}}

The city is home to an air force station. Star Air operates 3 days a week flight between Bidar (IXX) and Bangalore (BLR).

Frequent KSRTC buses to Kalaburgi (Gulbarga), Hyderabad, Latur, Udgir, Nanded, Solapur. Also Volvo services to Bengaluru, Hubli, Belgavi, Davangere, Mumbai, Mangalore and Pune.

• Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences (BRIMS){{cite web|url=http://brims-bidar.in/ |title=brims-bidar.in |publisher=brims-bidar.in |access-date=2013-12-19}}
• Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University{{Cite web |title=Colleges / Universities {{!}} Bidar District, Government of Karnataka {{!}} India |url=https://bidar.nic.in/en/public-utility-category/colleges/ |access-date=2022-03-12 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries University |url=https://www.kvafsu.edu.in/ |access-date=12 March 2022 |website=www.kvafsu.edu.in}}
• Shaheen Group of Institutions, Bidar{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/the-hindu-career-counselling-eq-is-more-important-than-iq/article36531962.ece|title=The Hindu Career Counseling|newspaper=The Hindu|date=18 September 2021}}
• Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Bidar{{Cite web |title=Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College Bidar Karnataka |url=https://gndecb.ac.in/ |access-date=12 March 2022|website=gndecb.ac.in}}

{{cleanup gallery|date=April 2025}}

File:Fort Garden bidar.jpg|Fort Garden Bidar

File:BIADR FORT (inside view garden).jpg|Bidar Fort (inside view garden)

File:BIADR FORT (inside view).jpg|Bidar Fort (inside view)

File:Gurdwara Nanak Jhira Sahib.jpg|Guru Nanak Jhira Sahib

File:Madrasa Bidar Bidar.jpg|Mahmud Gawan Madrasa

File:Chaukhandi bidar.jpg|Ashtur Tombs

File:Papnash temple , bidar.jpg|Papnash Temple

{{reflist}}

{{source-attribution}}

• {{cite book |title=Historic Landmarks of the Deccan |last1=Haig |first1=Major T. W. |year=1907 |publisher=Pioneer Press, Allahabad |url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Historic_Landmarks_of_the_Deccan |ref={{sfnref|Haig, 1907}}}}
• {{cite book |title=Bidar, Its History and Monuments |last=Yazdani |first=Ghulam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.279710/page/n1 |year=1947 |publisher=Oxford University Press |ref={{sfnref|Yazdani, 1947}}}}

{{Commons category|Bidar}}

{{Wikivoyage|Bidar}}

• {{Official website|http://www.bidarcity.gov.in/official }}
• [http://bidar.nic.in/ Official Website of the District]
• [http://www.bidartourism.com/ Bidar Tourism website]
• [http://bidarinfo.com/ Bidar Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916150912/http://bidarinfo.com/ |date=16 September 2017 }}

{{Historical Places in North Karnataka}}

{{Historical Places in Karnataka}}

{{Bidar topics}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Former capital cities in India

Cultural Heritage

Category:Cities in Karnataka

Category:Taluks in Bidar district