History of Bidar

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Bidar is a historic place located in the north-eastern part of the South Indian state of Karnataka. Bidar enjoys a picturesque situation, having been situated and built on the brink of a plateau, and thus commanding lovely views of the lowlands (talghat) towards the north and the east. Its latitude is 17°55'N., its longitude 77°32' E., and the height above the sea-level 2,330 feet (710 m). The climate is bracing and the temperature in the hottest season does not usually rise above 105 °F (41 °C). The Bidar plateau is an irregular oblong, 22 miles (35 km) in length and 12 miles (19 km) in extreme breadth.[1]: 1 

Ancient Period

Traditional tales describe Bidar as the place where

hindu epic Mahabharata) lived and the place was thus known as Viduranagara.[2]
Legend has associated Bidar with the ancient
Hindu literature.[3] But the situation of the latter kingdom has been determined by modern research, and it is now considered that Vidarbha occupied the country which was called Berar. The rulers of the kingdom are supposed to have been vassals of the Andhra rajas, whose dominions covered the plateau of the Deccan and at times extended over a much wider area. Bidar, which is some 200 miles (320 km) south-east of Paithan, the ancient capital of the Andhra kings, must have been included in the territory of the latter, and it has been associated with Vidarbha apparently on account of the similarity in names Bidar and Vidarbha. The identity of Bidar with Vidarbha was, however, a common belief in Firishta's time, for he, when referring to the romances of the early rulers of Bidar, describes the love-story of Nala and Damayanti (daughter of Raja Bhima of Vidarbha).[1]
: 3 

The ancient

Vidharba region and eastern India, indicating respectively by certain pottery types particularly lids and also by horse-bits & copper objects on the one hand and the stone alignments on the other in north-eastern part of Karnataka.[2]
: 214 

This region formed the southern part of

Nandas and became the heirs to the Nanda Empire in which Karnataka was also included. Bindusara ruled over the Deccan including the parts of Karnataka.[2]
: 215 

Vashishtiputra Pulumāyi. Coins of this period are found in plenty in the deccan region which can be dated to a period from the 1st century A.D. to 3rd century A.D.[2]
: 217 

Classical Period

During the

Vaishnava and Jaina dharmas.[2]
: 221  Their rule lasted for over 200 years.

The history of the (Deccan) region in general and Karnataka in particular assumes special significance with the commencement of the rule of the

Pulakeshi II and has paid a handsome tribute to the king and the prosperity of the kingdom.[2]
: 234  Kirtivarma II (c.745–757 A.D.) was the last ruler of the dynasty which was established by Jayasimha who ruled between 500 A.D. and 520 A.D.

Manyakheta (present day Malkhed) and beautified it. He patronised many religions including Buddhism.[2]
: 242  After a long reign of 64 years, he died in 878 A.D. and was succeeded by his son, Krishna II, who later developed friendly relations with the Arabs.

The Rashtrakuta Empire was perhaps the most extensive than any of their Hindu successors in the Deccan. In no other period of ancient Indian history did the Deccan enjoy their political prestige which it did during the time of Rashtrakutas. The remarks of Arab traveller Sulaiman (851 A.D.) that this empire was one of the four great empires of the world and they were the most feared rulers of India.

Ellora
and other rock-cut / cave temples have been built under this dynasty.

The

Rajaraja Chola in 992 A.D. and later his son Ahavamalla (Satyashraya) in 995 A.D. again defeated Chola's Army.[2]
: 245 

Satyashraya who had the titles of Ahavamalla, Irivabedanga, Sahasabhima and Sattiga ruled from 997 A.D. to 1008 A.D. The hostility between Chalukyas and Cholas continued during this period also.

Rajendra Chola marched against Satyashraya. The Cholas came up to Bijapur (present day Vijayapura) and ransacked the whole kingdom causing great violence. But Satyashraya drove them back. Ranna was patronised by Satyashraya.[2]: 246  Despite his military engagements, he built his capital Kalyana and made it famous.[2]
: 247 

The fifty-year rule of Vikramaditya VI (1076–1127 A.D.) was a glorious period in Karnataka's history. Many temples were built in this period which have some of the finest sculpture. In the temple at Jalsangi (Jalasangvi) is a beautiful sculpture which depicts a young woman writing an inscription paying great tribute to Vikramaditya VI. Thus Karnataka became a great centre of cultural activities.[2]: 248  He was succeeded by Someshvara III (father of Taila III)

During the reign of Taila III (1149–1162 A.D.), the Kalachuri Bijjala II was first to rebel against the Chalukyans and was largely responsible for the downfall of Chalukyas. By 1153 A.D., he proclaimed independence and occupied many parts of the Chalukyan kingdom. Thus was the southern Kalachuri established.[2]: 249 

The Kalachuris belonged to the Kattacchhuri family which ruled in

Basaveshwara. Bijjala II died in 1167 A.D.[2]: 250  Singhana was the last king of Kalachuri Dynasty which ended in 1184 A.D.[2]
: 252 

Basavakalyan fort.[2]
: 253 

During all this period it was political supremacy and cultural development moving hand in hand. In administration it evolved new principles which made the people happy and kingdoms prospered. Some of the luminaries in

Vachana literature in Kannada.[2]
: 253 

In the

Kakatiyas of Warangal, whose kingdoms were at the zenith of their glory in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Bidar was apparently annexed to the Kakatiya kingdom, for in A.D. 1322, when Prince Ulugh Khan marched upon Warangal, he besieged and conquered the town of Bidar, which was on the frontiers of Telangana.[1]
: 3 

An inscription of Ghiyath-ud-Din Tughluq, dated A.D. 1323, recently found at Kalyani, shows that the latter town was also conquered by Ulugh Khan in this expedition, but the absence of Kalyani's name in this connexion in contemporary history shows that Bidar at that time was a more important town than Kalyani, the glory of which seems to have faded with the decline of the

Chalukyas. In this inscription Kalyani is mentioned as only a qasba, or minor town.[1]
: 3 

Medieval Period

Bahmani Sultanate

Further information: Bahmani Sultanate

Bidar Sultanate

Further information: Bidar Sultanate

The Bidar Sultanate (also known as Barid Shahi dynasty) ruled the city formally from 1542 to 1619, although they formally held power since 1492. The dynasty was founded by Qasim Barid, who served as Prime Minister of the Bahmani Sultanate. His son Amir Barid succeeded him as Prime Minister and later became de facto ruler when the last Bahmani ruler fled from Bidar.

Ali Barid Shah I, son of Amir Barid was the first to assume the royal title of Shah. He also played a key role in the Battle of Talikota.

British Colonial Period

Modern Period

References

Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

  1. ^
    Nizam
    's Government.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Karnataka Gazetteer (Second ed.). Govt. of Karnataka. 1 January 1983.
  3. ^ Malavikagnimitra ; Mahabharata ; the Harivamsa, Bhagavata, and a few other Puranas.
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