BIDAR FORT

The history of the present fort at Bidar is attributed to the Sultan Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah the first sultan of the Bahmani dynasty to 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. Earliest recorded history of its existence as a small and strong fort is also traced to the first Muslim invasion of the region is traced to Prince Ulugh Khan in 1322, whereafter it came under the reign of the Tughlaq dynasty.^[1]^[2] With the establishment of the Bahmani dyanasty (1347), Bidar was occupied by Sultan Alla-Ud-Din Bahman Shah Bahmani. During the rule of Ahmad Shah I (1422–1486), Bidar was made the capital city of Bahmani Kingdom. The old Fort was rebuilt and beautiful madrasas, mosques, palaces and gardens were raised. Mahmmad 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 it was captured by the Mughal emperor Aurangazeb in 1656 A.D. In 1724, Bidar became a part of the Asaf Jahi Kingdom of the Nizams.^[1] It was annexed by the Bijapur Sultanate in 1619–20 but the Mughal viceroy of Aurangzeb took it in 1657 and thus became a part the Mughal Empire in 1686.^[5] Third son of Asaf jah l ( Nizam l ) Nawab Said Mohammed Khan Asaf ud Daula ( Salabath Jung ) 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 in 16 September 1763. Mohammedabad old name of Bidar is also on his name.

MAIN ENTRANCE.. HUGE STRUCTURE WITH SMALL GATE.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidar_fort

Bidar Fort, or shall i say it, ' THE RUINS OF BIDAR FORT', should have been a very beautiful fort at its high time. This huge entrance gate tells you a part of it. Though for most of its glory have to be imagined, as our government have given it the HERITAGE status after its most of heritage have vanished.

The architecture and engineering involved in building of the fort have to awarded. For more than 550 years it have survived the harsh weather, number of wars, strokes of huge elephants, fire and what not. Walls still stands tall, Designs unique, huge curving roof without any pillar for support in middle, no machinery, no cements but still technically very sound.

JAIL IN BIDAR FORT

Security of the fort contains many features;

Built on height, so that any movement in few KM range are easily in sight.
Triple layer trenches surrounding whole walls of fort. These trenches were filled with water. Some surprise for the fools who tried to swim to reach the fort, were crocodiles.
Zig-Zag narrow route approaching the main Entrance.
Small gates of Main Entrance.
Huge Cannons.

That is why may be, this fort is till date not defeated by any.