Bidar

• 1. Etymology And Ancient Origins

  ›

  The name Bidar appears to be derived from the Kannada word bidiru, which means bamboo. This linguistic root suggests a connection to the local flora that once covered the Deccan Plateau. Legend has associated the city with the ancient kingdom of Vidarbha, to which references are found in early Hindu literature like Malavikagnimitra and the Mahabharata. Firishta's writings mention this association, noting the similarity between the names Bidar and Vidarbha. Traditional tales reveal that Vidura lived here, hence the place was earlier called Viduranagara. It is also described as the place where Nala and Damayanti met during their legendary romance. 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 reigned over the territory. Later, the Rashtrakutas and Kalachuris of Kalyanis also regained control of the area.

  129

• 2. Bahmani Sultanate Capital Era

  ›

  Ahmed Shah Wali Bahmani shifted his capital from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1427 because the location offered better climatic conditions. The fertile land was rich with fruit-bearing trees, making it an ideal seat for power. During the rule of Ahmad Shah I, who governed from 1422 to 1486, Bidar became the capital city of the Bahmani Kingdom. Mahmud Gawan served as prime minister starting in 1466 and oversaw significant construction projects. The old fort was rebuilt and madrasas, mosques, palaces, and gardens were raised across the plateau. The city remained under the Barid Shahi dynasty until its conquest by the Bijapur Sultanate in 1619. Aurangzeb came to Bidar after his father appointed him Prince of Deccan. In 1635, Khan Dauran ravaged the city during a campaign led by the Mughal prince. By the end of 1656, Aurangzeb entered the city and proceeded to a mosque built two centuries prior. He ordered the khutba to be read in the name of his father, Shah Jahan. A room near the left minar used to store gunpowder exploded, destroying one-fourth of the edifice including the tower and entrance. Finally, in 1656, Aurangzeb wrested the Bidar Fort from the Adil Shahis after a 21-day war. This event made Bidar part of the Mughal dynasty for the second time.

  4561017

• 3. Architectural Heritage And Monuments

  ›

  According to the book Bidar Heritage published by the state Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, about 30 of the 61 listed monuments are tombs located in and around the city. This abundance has earned it the nickname City of Whispering Monuments. The Mahmud Gawan Madrasa was built by the prime minister of the Bahmani empire in the late 15th century. It is considered the most imposing building of the Bahmani period and unique in its plan and style within India. The madrasa housed a library containing around 3,000 valuable manuscripts before being severely damaged during the siege of 1656. Rangeen Mahal stands out because of its decoration with colored tiles and mother-of-pearl laid in jet-black stone. Floral patterns and calligraphic text adorn the walls alongside stucco art and stone carvings. Tarkash Mahal was said to have been built for the Turkish wife of the sultan. Rooms were decorated with stucco work and the structure was extended by Barid Shahi Sultans who kept large harems. Chaubara is a tall cylindrical tower of 22 meters height situated in the center of the city. It served as a watchtower commanding a fine view of the entire plateau from the top. Habshi Kot contains the tombs of Abyssinian noblemen employed in the Bahmani and Barid Shahi courts.

  1318214041

• 4. Karez Water Management System

  ›

  The Bidar Karez system was built in the 15th century and stretches more than 4 kilometers underground. It features 21 air vents that allowed fresh air to circulate through the network. Underground canals connected water streams to provide drinking water to civilian settlements and the garrison inside the fort. This engineering feat was necessary because the soil was rocky and drilling wells was difficult. According to Gulam Yazdani's documentation, Bidar has three karez systems: Naubad, Shukla Theerth, and Jamna Mori. Shukla Theerth stands out as the longest karez system in the region. Its origin well was found near Gornalli Kere, a historic embankment. Jamna Mori primarily served as a distribution system within the old city with numerous channels intersecting streets. Restoration efforts began in 2014 focusing on desilting and excavation of the Naubad Karez. In 2015, this initiative led to the discovery of 27 vertical shafts connected to the Karez. During a sewage line excavation in 2016, a seventh line of the system was uncovered. These rejuvenation projects have had a significant positive impact on a city facing water scarcity.

  17222326

• 5. Geography And Climate Profile

  ›

  Bidar lies at an elevation of 2300 feet from sea level on the Deccan Plateau. It shares boundaries with Maharashtra and Telangana districts including Nizamabad, Medak, Latur, Nanded, and Osmanabad. The upper crust of the plateau is laterite, a soft porous rock with limonitic surface varying in depth. This layer rests on a bed of trap which is much harder and less pervious to water. Water filtered during monsoons through the laterite stratum is arrested by the trappean bed forming springs. Bidar is one of the coldest cities in Karnataka as minimum temperatures hover around 11-12 degrees Celsius during December nights. May is the hottest month with mean daily maximum temperature reaching 38.8 degrees Celsius. The highest maximum temperature recorded at Bidar was 43.3-degree C on 8-5-1931. The lowest minimum was 2.9-degree C on 5-1-1901, the lowest ever recorded in Karnataka. Present day Bidar covers an expanse of 5448 square kilometres of land between specific latitudes and longitudes.

  1624252829

• 6. Bidri Art And Handicrafts

  ›

  Bidriware is one of the rarest and most intricate art forms unique to this city today. It has obtained Geographical Indications registry status for its distinct craftsmanship. Various art forms created by artists from Bidar city centuries ago are now major attractions in museums such as Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The National Museum in New Delhi and Indian Museum in Kolkata also display these works. Rehaman Patel did extensive research in Bidri Art from Gulbarga University publishing books in Kannada and English versions. All dignitaries and guests of XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 were presented with mementos handcrafted in Bidri art. This art form became the Union government's choice for souvenirs at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Kingfisher company owner Vijay Mallya owns a bidri dining table with floral designs made of nearly 3.5 kg silver. Even the well-known form of local art crafts is currently in a state of decline due to increasing prices of materials like silver.

  555657

• 7. Modern Infrastructure And Economy

  ›

  Bidar was officially upgraded from a City Municipal Council to a City Corporation in February 2025. The decision was initially approved by the Karnataka state cabinet on the 17th of September 2024. Final approval came during another cabinet meeting in February 2025 after incorporating surrounding villages to meet population thresholds over three lakh people. A 30-day window for objections was set following final approval before the corporation officially comes into existence. SH4 passes through Bidar and the whole city is integrated with 4 lane road networks. Rail connectivity includes Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Sainagar Shirdi, Parbhani Jn, Aurangabad, Latur, Nanded, Manmad, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Machilipatnam, Vijayawada and Renigunta. Construction of the Gulbarga-Bidar link was completed and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Bidar-Hyderabad inter-city train service became operative in September 2012. Star Air operates 3 days a week flight between Bidar and Bengaluru. Bidar Airport serves as both a military airbase cum Domestic Airport. At the time of the 2011 census, Bidar had a population of 216,020 with a literacy rate of 85.90 percent.

  3458596061