Gulbarga is located in the northeastern part of the state of Karnataka, in the southern region of India. It is 663 km from Bangalore and 214 km from Hyderabad. It is a Major District and fourth biggest City of Karnataka State. It was the capital of the Bahamani Kingdom which ruled this region. The district was formerly part of Hyderabad state and most of the district became a part of Mysore state (later Karnataka) in 1956. The entire district is situated in Deccan Plateau.
Gulbarga, the district and divisional head-quarters was formely in the Nizam's state, and was the first capital of the Bahmanis from 1347.The two main rivers are krishna and Bhima which flows through here.Gulbarga was known as 'KALBURGI' in former days which means stony land in Kannada.
History The city has historic and glorious part and also has an immense tourist attraction.History of Gulbarga dates back to the 6th century when the Rashtrakutas gained control over the area,but the Chalukyas regained their domain and reigned for over two hundred years. The Kalachuri who succeeded them ruled till the 12th century.Around the close of the 12th century the Yadavas of Devagiri and the Hoysalas of Halebidu took control of the district. About the same period the Kakatiya dynasty kings of Warangal came into prominence. The present Gulbarga District and Raichur District formed part of their domain.
The city flourished during the rule of Nizams. Modern buildings were built, Roads and Railways were laid, the city was beautified with gardens.
The District was under the rule of Nizam’s of Hyderabad before independence. The district has a rich background of knowledge and culture. The existence of university at Nagai in Chitapur, Vignaneeshwara’s Mitakshara, Nrupatunga’s Kavirajamarga and the religious and social revolution led by Shivsharanas and the Sufi saint Banda Nawaz are all evidence of it. However, due to erratic rainfall and continuous occurrence of droughts in the 19th century the life of the people was never smooth and secure. Further during the Nizam’s period, the district could not develop due to the negligence and inefficient administration. The distance was also a factor contributing to it. Thus it was one of the most backward districts when it joined the old Mysore State (Fact Finding Committee 1954).
The another legecy of Gulbarga was that, the origin of HyderAli (who shiate Muslim) was from Gulbarga (Ahsannagar, that time called), his grandfather is fakir from Gulbarga. His father worked in Kolar as a taxman (under the Bahamani kingdom).
The region also has produced famous poet, philosopher and founder of Carnatik music, Purandara Dasa under Vijaynagar Empire. Gulbarga has produced another famous saint, Shri Sharanabasaveshwara, in 19th century.
Recent News
In the year 2009 January an excavation in Gulbarga they have unearthed a rare sculptural portrait of Ashoka the Great.The portrait was found at the excavation site of a Buddhist stupa belonging to the first and second century AD at a village called Kanganahalli in Chittapur taluk.
In the portrait the King is accompanied by his wife and attended by chauri bearers.There is a single lined inscription by the sculptor carved as "Rayo Asoko" meaning King Ashoka.This is the first inscribed image of Ashoka to be discovered in India.
Ashoka belonged to the Maurya dynasty was one of the greatest emperors to rule most of present India from 273 BC to 232 BC. Archaeological experts say that the discovery goes a long way in understanding not just the lifestyle of Ashoka, but also early sketches of Buddhist art in the state.
Tourist Attraction:
Bhamani Fort here was originally built by one Raja Gulchand, a feudatory of the Orangal Kakatiyas, and was rebuilt by Allah-ud-din Bahmani with 15 majestic towers. Inside the fort is the huge wonderful mosque built by Muhammed Bahmani in 1367 and it covers 38,000 sq. feet area. The monuments which are historically built with Spanish architecture, and fort is built with well planning the canal is made around the fort so that it becomes difficult to the enemy . The place has a huge sprawling complex housing the tomb of Bande `Nawaz, the great Sufi Saint, who came to Gulbarga in 1413. His tomb's walls have paintings and a mosque built by the Mughuls is near the tomb.
The Khandar Khan's mosque and Hirapur mosque (1585) built by Chandbibi are some other monuments here, and the tomb of Sultan Hassan and Firoze Shah are imposing structures. The state Archeology Museum here has Buddhist plaquest brought from Sannati.
Durgah Library Houses almost 10000 books on Urdu, Persian and Arabic
Best time to Visit:
The best time to visit Gulbarga is just after the monsoon, between the months of October to February.
Summer : 40 to 46 °C
Monsoon: 27 to 34 °C
Winter : 10 to 26 °C
How to Reach:
Air: Hyderabad Airport is the Nearest Airport to Gulbarga City. which is 225kms from the city.
Rail: Gulbarga city has a Central Southern Railway Station. There are Daily trains from Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad to this city.
Road: There are frequent buses from Bangalore and Hyderabad to this city. They are 610 and 225 kms away from Gulbarga respectively.
Where to stay:
- Hotel Mayura Bahamani
Public Gardens, Gulbarga
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