Bidar Fort (Kannada ಬೀದರ್ ಕೋಟೆ) is situated in North Karnataka in Bidar district of the northern plateau of Karanataka, India. Sultan Alla-Ud-Din Bahman of the Bahmanid Dynasty shifted his capital from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1427 and built his fort along with a number of Islamic monuments.

Bidriware is a very popular handicraft, an art form with 800 years history with linkage to the Persian art, from which it evolved during the rule of the Bahamani Sultans. During 2008, Bidriware, as one of the important exported handicrafts from India, was awarded the Geographical Indication (G.I) authorized user status which is exclusive to the artisans resident in the Karnataka region only.

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. 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. 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. 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.

Thus, Bahmanis ruled over Gulbaraga from 1347 to 1424 and from Bidar from 1424 till the extinction of the kingdom and its disintegration into five independent and warring kingdoms of Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmadnagar, Bidar and Berar. After the empire was split, Bidar came under the rule of the British in 1724. After India's independence, in 1956 when Bidar became part of Mysore (now Karnataka) state.

With the establishment of the Bahmani Kingdom in the Deccan from 1347, the architectural styles of the Persian architecture of Iran made impressive and lasting impacts, which are seen in the Bidar Fort. The mosques, arches, gardens and the palaces were built within and also outside the fort in the Bidar town. Some of the important structures built are elaborated.

The influence of Persian culture was distinct in Bidar in the Deccan, during fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

The Bidar fort, constructed on the edge of the plateau, has a haphazard quadrangular layout plan of 0.75 miles (1.21 km) in length and 0.5 miles (0.80 km) breadth. The peripheral length of the fort walls measure 4,500 yards (4,100 m). The walls, bastions, gates and barbicans of Bidar, though in ruins, are well preserved and considered as some of the most stylish in India. It is surrounded by a triple moat.

There are seven gates in the fort. The dominant main gate exhibits Persian style architecture. The ‘Gumbad Darwaza’ depicts arches with stilted size, also in Persian style. The ‘Sherza Darwaza’ of Bidar Fort, the second gate of entry, depicts two images of tigers carved on its fascia; according to Shia belief, the tiger decorations are indicative of Ali who was also known as Asadullah-Al Ghalib that assured protection to the building from enemy attack.^[10] The other gates are the Fateh Gate on the south (has octagonal towers and drawbridge); the Talghat Gate in the east; the Delhi Gate and the Mandu Gate. The prominent bastion at the entry is known as the ’Munda Burj’ with guns positioned on it.

It is said that the Bahmani Sultanate claimed lineage of the Sasanians and the motifs on their buildings, particularly the crowns of the arches that they built depicted a crescent and occasionally a disk that was closely reminiscent of the crowns of the Sassanian emperors.

Bidar is well connected by road, rail and air links. Bidar town is situated about 740 kilometres (460 mi) north of Bangalore India on NH 7), 116 kilometres (72 mi) northeast of Gulbarga and 130 kilometres (81 mi) (NH 9 from Bangalore Via Gulbarga and Bellary Nearest airport is the BIDAR Airport and also BIAL, BANGALORE. Bidar Fort is only 115 km from Miyapur, Hyderabad.

The song Ishq Sufiyaana from the hit Bollywood film of 2011, The Dirty Picture was shot in the Bidar Fort. The song had sequences in the fort with Vidya Balan and Emraan Hashmi.

 Basavakalyan is a town in Bidar District of the state of Karnataka, India, and was historically known as Kalyan.

Before India's independence, Basavakalyan was called Kalyani. After independence and division of states on linguistic basis in 1956, Kalyana was renamed as BasavaKalyana in memory of Vishwaguru Basavanna, a great revolutionary who established Anubhava Mantapa (spiritual democracy) in 12th Century in India.

Basavakalyana was ruled by Western Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Yadavas of Devagiri, Bijapur Sultanate, Bahamani Sultanate (Bidar, Gulbarga), Mughals, Hyderabad Nizams.

It was the royal capital of the Western Chalukya (Kalyani Chalukyas) dynasty from 1050 to 1195. Somesvara I (1041-1068A.D.) made Kalyana as his capital, recognised as Kalyani Chalukyas to differentiate with Badami Chalukyas. Later ruled by Somesvara II, Vikramaditya VI, Somesvara III, Jagadhekamalla III and Tailapa III. Before this Manyakheta was their capital. During 10th-12th centuries ruled nearly half of India, most of the western Deccan, South India. King Vikramaditya VI had In his court scholars such as Someshwara, Bilhana (poet of Kashmir) and Vigyaneshwara (legal expert).

The earliest examples of the Kalyani Chalukya style are found at Kuknur. The Kalleshvara and Navalinga temples here bear resemblances to early Chalukya group of Aihole and Pattadkal. The Jaina temple at Lakkundi near Gadag forms the nest step in the improvement of this style introducing a greater ornamental effec in the treatment of the surface.

The Kalyani style of architecture reaches its maturity and culmination in the 12th century. Kasi Vishveshvara at Lakkundi, Mallikarjuna at Kuruvatti and Mahadeva Temple (Itagi) are the finest examples produced by the later Chalukya architects. The Saraswathi and Someshwara temples at Gadag are in a mutilated condition. There are nearly one hundred monuments of the period, scattered all over the Deccan, giving us information about the artistic excellence attained by the later Chalukyas of Kalyani.

Kalachuris succeeded Kalyani Chalukyas continued Kalyani as there capital. During 12th century the Kalachuri King Bijjala (1156-1167) assumed the throne, and Basaveshwara appointed as his Prime Minister. Basaveshwara led a social movement to stop untouchability and gender discrimination, Shivasharana revolution took place. Basaveshwara motivated many with the Vachana sahitya, and more than 600 people became writers called as Vachanakaras.

The centre of a great social and religious movement. In 12th century, because of the social reformer Basava, it became a seat of learning. Basava, Akka Mahadevi, Channabasavanna, Siddarama and other Sharanas are associated with Basavakalyana. Basava, who fought against castism and orthodoxy in Hinduism.

At Jalasangvi, Narayanapura and Shivapura there are temples of the Chalukya dynasty. Basaveshvara temple is at the centre of Basavakalyana. There are some Islamic monuments Moti Mahal, Hydari Mahal, Peeran Durga. And other religious places such as Gachchina Matha, Kambali Matha and Sadananda Matha.

• Basavakalyana Fort

Basavakalyana Fort constructed by Chalukyas it includes Jain images on wall. There is museum in side fort, there are Jain idols of the 10-11 century AD.

• Shiva Temple at Narayanpura

There is a Shiva Temple at Narayanpura which dating back to Chalukya times (11th century), 4 km from Basavakalyana.

• Basaveshwara Temple and Anubhav mantap

• There is a statue of Allamaprabhu, as the guru of the Basavanna and the related photos of Basavanna which he has worked for the people.

• There is lake beside it and full of trees surrounding its Temple.

• Basava Dharma Peetha Charitable Trust with the intension of reviving Sharana cultural heritage purchased a land of 3 acres on 21-12-2001 by the side of main road nearby the entrance of Basava Kalyana town. Later on the Trust purchased 17.5 acres just adjacent to the previous land and has built a prayer hall and living rooms. Haralayya Tirtha - an attractive water reservoir is formed.

• Sri Basaveswara cave and Akkamahadevi cave have been chiselled and carved beautifully in laterite rock-soil. Sharana village formed pictures the concept of 12th Century Sharanas engaged actively in their Kayakas(occupations).

• The Trust is running an orphanage. There is a beautiful Hillock which is named as Sharana Shaila. Beautiful rolling land scape is the high light of the place. On Sharana Shaila is erected Lord Basavanna’s statue of 108’ height. It is structured on a pedestal of 24 feet height, 60’ x 80’ size.

Photo Gallery:

• Hazrath Shamsuddin Abul Fatah Shaik Mohammed Multani R.A(Al-Maroof Multani Bashah),Bidar. Shamsuddin Quadri Shrine popularly known as multani Badshah.
• Dargah Syed Shah Burhanuddin Khaleelullah Kirmani But Shikan (R.A),Bidar at Choukhandi. The popular barid shahi tombs and a Jail made by the British before independence.
• Guru Nanak Jhira Gurudwara,
• Sri Mailar Mallanna temple : Mailar or Khanapur is situated around 15 km from Bidar on Bidar-Udgir Road. It is believed that Mallasur and Mankasur are two brother demons, after getting blessing from lord Bharmha, they started killing and torturing Innocent people in and around Mailar, by hearing devotees plea Lord Shiva incarnated in Mailar and killed mankasur and forgave mallasur. The god Mallanna or Khandoba or Mailar Linga is believed as Lord Shiva`s Ugra Roopa. The temple is very famous in the north karnataka and every year temple attract millions of devotees from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra pradesh
• Narasimha Zharna (Lord Narasimha Temple), Papnash (Shiva Temple)
• Bidar fort at Bidar, the great Friday mosque at Bidar, Nayee kamaan (fell down – being built)
• Madarsa (university) of Mahmmed Gawan
• Choubara (watch tower)at Bidar, several dargahs (mausoleums) of local Islamic saints
• Basveshvara Temple
• Barid shahi garden
• Manik Prabhu Temple. Situated 53 km away from the city of Bidar, Manik Prabhu Temple is a unique architectural beauty and a major spiritual and religious centre. The Manik Prabhu temple is built over a  Sanjeevani Samaadhi of a Saint- Shri Sadguru Manik Prabhu Maharaj and his spiritual stature and holy presence is still maintained by his 6th successor Shri Sadguru Dnyanraj Manik Prabhu Maharaj. The temple attracts both Hindu and Muslim devotees. The temple administration is carried out by Shri Manik Prabhu Samsthan which runs a number of social and charitable institutions since 140 years.
• Tomb of Mahmmed Gawan
• Kalyani shariff, 12th Century Cave
• Kalyan shariff, Kalyan Fort
• Bidri Art Materials at Old City
• Saint Paul's Methodist Church
• Molige Marayya's Cave temple Molkera
• Papnash Temple. It is believed that Lord Sri Rama, on the way to Ayodhya from Lanka after defeating Ravana, visited this place and that resulted in the temple which would wash off his act of killing Ravana who is a Shiva Bhakt.
• Basava Kalyan. This city is place of Basveshwar and has lot of information and holy places about Basveshwara.
• Bidar Fort. The fort was one the largest and strongest forts in India. It was built in 15th century.
• Gurudwara. Gurdwara Nanak Jhira Sahib is a Sikh historical shrine. One of the most popular south Indian historical gurudwara's amongst the Sikh community all over the India.
• Amareshwar Temple, Aurad was built in the 10th century. There are two Gaja Laxmis at the entrance of the temple and a platform of Chandrashile i.e. Tortoise stone for saluting Lord Amareshwara by putting both of our knees on it. The system of Gaja Laxmi and Chandrashile was found in the 10th century architecture.

 Bidar Fort