Drive to Gulbarga, Karnataka

Places of interest in Gulbarga:
- Gulbarga Fort
- Haft Gumbaz / Sath Gumbaz
- Chor Gumbad / Shor Gumbad
- Sharana Basaveshwara Temple
- Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Dargah


Gulbarga Fort:
Gulbarga Fort was built by Raja Gulchand of Warangal. It was strengthened by Ala-ud-din Bahmani afterwards. The fort occupies an area of 74.10 acres and a circumference of 3 kms with two rounds of fortifications. The outer fort wall is of lesser height than the inner wall. There is a 30 feet deep moat around the fort.

The fort carries Tene (or Kanguras) at regular intervals and has 15 bastions and 26 guns. The principal gateways on the Eastern and Western sides consists of pointed arches with openings flanked by bastions, approached by bridges across the moat. There is a continuous parapet of merlons, raised over the gateways, provided with narrow openings in them to fire the muskets.

The major highlight of the fort is the Bara Gazi Toph (featured image of this post). Measuring 29 feet, it is the longest cannon in the world. It is made up of alloy (Panch Dhatu in Hindi). The circumference is 7.6 feet, diameter 2 feet and the thickness is 7 inch. Apart from this, Jamia / Jumma Masjid and Ranmandal are the noteworthy structures present. In fact, the Ranmandal is a strong and well-maintained structure that has 3 cannons atop. The palace and the other structures inside the fort are in ruins.