Gulbarga Fort
Arguably the most popular tourist attraction at Gulbarga, this fort was built in the twelfth century by the Kakatiya king Raja Gulchand. This granite monument imposes a stunning façade that exhibits a beautiful blend of Persian and Indian architecture. Renovated by the Bahmani rulers two hundred years later, the Fort was expanded to strike a formidable barrier to invaders. Boasting 15 towers, the structure is sure to make you marvel at the glory of the rulers of yore. The Jama Masjid located inside warms the soul with its spires and columns. You can picnic with your loved ones inside the ruins of the fort too!
History of Gulbarga Fort
Located in the town of Gulbarga in Karnataka, the fort was built with the support of Raja Gulchand in the mid-14th century and is a noteworthy milestone of the Bahamani district. However, the fort got destroyed by Krishnadevaraya, the ruler of the Vijayanagara. But Adil Shah reconstructed the fort later on.
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq of Delhi Sultanate occupied the Deccan in the early 14th century, and this included Gulbarga. The Bahmani Sultanate was founded by the revolt of the Muslim offices who were appointed from Delhi, in 1347 by Alauddin Hassan. Gulbarga was precisely the capital of the Bahmani Kingdom, and during the mid-14th Century, Raja Gulchand built the Gulbarga Fort.
However, the fort was demolished by the Vijayanagar Emperor, Krishnadevaraya. During the years 1459-1511, Yusuf Adil Shah, the establisher of the Adil Shah Dynasty, rebuilt the fort after conquering Krishnadevaraya. With the help of the riches of the defeated Vijayanagar Emperor, the fort was restored and refurbished.
Architecture of Gulbarga Fort
The Persian architecture of Iran inspires the architecture of Gulbarga Fort. The fort’s design is inspired by the Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain and has those typical arched doorways and Moorish architectural beauty. The construction is pretty impressive and has a lasting impact on the visitors. The gardens, mosques, arches, and the palaces inside the fort, as well as in the town of Gulbarga as a whole, talks about the Indo-Persian architectural wonders which evolved in the Deccan. This mainly happened after the formation of the Bahamani dynasty in 1347.
