Gulbarga - Valley of Heritage

8/9/2019 Gulbarga - Valley of Heritage

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HERITAGE OF KALBURGI

The glorious past of Gulbarga has ensured that the present and

subsequent generations have plenty of historical and cultural

heritages to be proud of. The fascinating monuments and heritage

sites in the city stand quietly today to retell their story of joy, sorrow,

courage and sacrifice before you. Each of the stories is so enchanting

and singular that you will be left asking for more at the end of the

each narration.

As one turns the pages of history, the rich heritage of Gulbarga comes

alive with all its fragrance and colour which are still breathing in theheritage forts, mosques, temples and monuments fringed in each and

every corner this multi facet city of Gulbarga. The splendid

architecture, minutely carved sculptures, embellished facades of the

heritage monuments narrates the immense skill of the craftsmen of

the yore which have been fascinating the world for many centuries.

The number of important monuments in Gulbarga is so great that asingle tour to discover the multifarious facets of its wonderful

heritage is not enough. Nevertheless it will give you an admirable

glimpse into the Gulbargas rich history and heritage. At the end of

your trip, you will surely develop a huge respect for the Gulbargas

heritage while carving for more such tour in the near future.

SHARNBASVESHWARSHRINE


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A leading light of the Veerashaiva movement, Sharana Basaveshwara

was active in the Gulbarga region. Lord Sri Sharnbasveshwar who

blessed this Land with Dasoha Culture. A Shrine was built in due

course, over his tomb after his death in 1822. The temple took its

present form in the early 20th century and displays beautiful pillars,

arches and pilasters. The pillars are decorated with Peacocks,

Garudas, Nagas, Parrots, Elephants, etc. The Shrine consists

marvelous miniature decorated Sabhamantapa with the Granite

sculptures which tells about the Divine life of Sharnbasveshwar and

Mahadasoha Mahamane, Nanda Deepa are worth to see.

GULBARGAS MASSIVE FORT

Said to have been build originally by Raja Gulchand of Warangal,

Gulbarga Fort was later strengthened by Ala-ud-din Bahaman Shah

during the period of 1347-58. The Fort, occupying an area of 20 acres

with a circumference of 3 km has a double fortification with a 30 ft

moat between the walls and reflects a blend of West Asian and

European military architecture. The cannons used by the Bahamanis,

including one of 25 ft which is known as one of the Asias largest

Canon, 15 bastions, 26 canon and a Ranamandal (Bala Hisser), ruined


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palace, two Hindu temples and Barood Khana (arms store house),

Ourath masjid, Kamana Bavi (well) are placed inside the Fort.

JUMMA MASJID

Completed in 1367, by Rafi an architect of Kwajwin region of Iran,

during the period of Mohammad Shah I. This grand mosque inside the

Fort is a delightful monument that is still well-preserved. Resembling

the mosque at Cardova in Spain, the Jumma Masjid covers an area of

over 38,000 sq.ft. Masjid contains 63 domes including five large

domes and 250 arches add to the beauty of this mosque, which

displays a strong Persian touch in its architecture.

SHAH BAZAAR MOSQUE

Constructed during the reign of Muhammad Shah-I, this mosque

built during the period between 1358-75 this is an attractive mosque

with beautiful columns, arches and domes. An arched entrance with

tall minars on either side lead into an open courtyard and a prayer

hall at the rear. The Mosque displays strong influence of Tuqalakstyle of in its architecture. The mosque is open only Friday.


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DOMINAR

Do-minar is the gate way of Sheik roza Darga which is dedicated to

Hazarth Sheik Shiraj-Ud- din Zunaidi. The life story of Hazarth Sheik

Shiraj-Ud- din- Zunaidi start from 1271 he was born in Peshawar. He

came with Muhammad- bin- tughluk towards Deccan regions. Hazarth

Sheik Zunaidi died in 1381 at the age of hundred and eleven year. The

place of the holy tomb kept becomes the Famous Darga called Sheik

Rouza. This beautiful monument built in the style of Bijapur

architecture style which consist massive entrance with two minars.

TOMB OF HASAN GANGU BAHAMANSHAH

The tomb is situated west of the fort stand in the fields a short

distance beyond the west gate of the citadel. Tomb of Ala- ud-din

Hasan Bahaman Shah built in 1358. It means it was built before the

death of the Hasan Bahaman Shah the construction of the tomb is

very simple in plan the tomb was raised on the rectangular basement

and walls are very thick in size small shaped domes are very

attractive. The domes was designed like umbrella by Turkish

architects they built this tomb beautifully which is worth to see.


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DARGAH OF KHWAJA BANDA NAWAZ

A Sufi saint who lived in Gulbarga from 1407 to 1422, Khwaja Banda

Nawaz is revered by both Muslims and people of other faiths. At the

age of 80 Khwaja Bande Nawaz comes to Gulbarga and stayed more

than 15 years after the 2 year of the demise, the construction of Darga

was started and it was completed during the period of Ahmed ShahWaliya (1422-36) the construction of Darga took nearly seven years. In

the Dargah complex some big and small tombs were looks like

architectural jewels of Bahamani period. Though of great dimension,

the simple walls of this Darga are decorated with sentences of Quran

painted in Gold. The painting on its wall and domes are in Turkistan

and Iranian style and the saints corporeal remains are preserved in

the Darga. Besides this is located Darga of the saints son. In the

library located nearby there are about 10,000 books on history,

philosophy, religion etc, in Urdu, Persian and Arabic languages.

Nearby it, are Mosque, the Sarai and the college established in 1687

by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The annual Urs in memory of saint

takes place. The annual Urs of the saint on the 15th of the Zakid

month draws devotees from around the country


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HAFT GUMBAZ

A group of seven tombs of Bahamani rulers and their commanders,these mausoleums display a unique structural arrangement. Two

mortuary chambers, one for the ruler and the other for family

members, forming part of a single tomb, distinguish these

mausoleums. The mausoleum of Taj-ud-Din Firuz has a two-storied

faade, the first among monuments in the Deccan. This rectangular

building has a total of 6 openings, two on the north and south sides

and one in the east and west sides. The walls are divided into two

tiers in all directions. All arch-shaped niches in the upper part formopenwork windows. The lower part of the walls, having a double-

arch-shaped entrance surrounded by windows of Jali screen, also

has double-arch-shaped niches like the upper part. This tomb

having 60 arches in its outer wall which is dived into two distinctive

parts 30 small arches on the upper side of the outer wall and 30 big

arches on lower side of the outer walls and inside there are 12 arches

which shows architecture grandeur of Bahamani Sultans.


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GULBARGA MUSEUM OR GOVERNMENT MUSEUM

Government Museum established in the year 1964, where the states

Archeological Department have kept the antiquities of Gulbarga and it

surroundings. It is the place where the rare collections of sculptures,

manuscripts, inscriptions etc. have been preserved. The museum

building seems to be having been empty Gumbaz before probablywhich was built during the period of Bahamani, now they have been

converted into museum. It was built in Tughlaq style of architecture.

The collections include small cannon guns, chair, cupboard and china

wares (Cups, Plates, vessels, Teapots etc.) used by Meadows Taylor,

Copper and Brass utensils of 18th century, swords, armors, iron balls

etc. We can also find the sculptures and hero stones of Mauryans,

Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, and Vijayanagara and also of Hoysala

period. Apart from these they have also preserved the Palm leaves

manuscripts of around 17th century written by Siddeshwara Prabhu,

Channa Basava and Kalidasas Kalmiki manuscripts. Going back to Old

age one can also find the Terracotta figures, pottery pieces, stone

hand axe and arrows of the 8th century.

SARDARVALLBAI PATEL CHOWK

While Karnataka became independent with the rest of the country on

the 15th of August, 1947, the story was a little different in Gulbarga

that was under the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Nizam

refused to accede to India until his rule got overthrown by force. 17th


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of September Gulbarga was liberated in India. The architect of this

liberation was Sardar Vallbai Patel, who liberated this region from

Nizam of Hyderabad. To respect the duty of Sardar Vallabhbai Patel a

statue has been installed in Timmapuri Chowk (circle) at Gulbarga,and subsequently the circle is named after him now. Now it is called

as sardar patel chowk.

AIWAN-E SHAHI

Constructed during the rule of the Nizams as a rest house for the

Nizams, this building has a distinct appearance. Built with two

shades of stone, it has an arched entrance with horse-shoe shaped

windows flanking it on either side.

HYDERABAD KARNATAKA AREA DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Hyderabad Karnataka Area Development Board (H.K.A.D.B) came

into existence following Karnataka Government Act 35 dated

December 10, 1991. It was based partly on the recommendations of

Shri Dharma Singh Committee with a Vision to reduce the regional

imbalances in the state more particularly to overcome the grave

differences in the status of development between the district to

district, Taluk to Taluk The HKADB started functioning from 10-

03-1992.

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Gulbarga - Valley of Heritage