Bidar is a city in the Indian State of Karnataka, named after Bamboo, locally called “Bidiru”. Bidar city is regarded for its ancient forts and handicraft products. The city, the district, and the fort are all tagged with the name Bidar. The Bidar Fort, built in 1426-32 AD by Bahmani King Sultan Ahmad Shah, is considered the most difficult trek in the country. The fort is surrounded by a rare to find triple moat, introduced by Turkish Mercenaries. Other notable structures include its seven well-protected gateways, two main gates to the palace complex, and several elegant monuments within it. The Sharza Darwaza and the Gumbad Darwaza are massive complex gates that open to the southern side, enhanced with domes, arches and paintings. The passage area between these gateways possesses the capacity to accommodate three thousand soldiers on duty to shield the fort. Mandu Darwaza is another brilliantly designed gate that opens to a well-defended underground tunnel, protected by 37 bastions, huge cannons, and large weapon magazines. Other architecturally diverse and outstanding monuments within the fort are Takht Mahal, Turkish Mahal, Rangeen Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Shahi Matbakh (Royal Kitchen), Diwani-i-Am (Public Audience Hall), Solah Khamba Mosque, and the Naubat Khana.
Solah Khamba Mosque is one of the largest mosques in India to date. The Mosque is called so for its 16 pillars in the front. This dimensionally vast structure is impressive for its majestic domes and clerestory windows with perforated geometrical screens. Marking the second phase of the wonderful Deccan style, the monument was designed in 1423-24 by Qubli Sultan. Later in AD 1655, Aurangzeb, as the Viceroy of the Deccan at Delhi, occupied Bidar and named the Mosque after his father Shah Jahan suddenly. This was undertaken officially as an announcement of his rule in the newly developed territory. In the inscription, dated AD 1423-24, it is mentioned that the founder of the Mosque was Qubli Sultani. The roof is crowned by a majestic dome of fine shape, raised on a high clerestory with windows.
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