Bidar

This article is about the city. For its eponymous district, see Bidar district. For Taluka (Tehsil), see Bidar taluk.
See also: Bidar (disambiguation)

Bidar
City
(clockwise from top) Bidar Fort; One of the Barid Shahi tombs; Guru Nanak Jhira Sahib; Ruins of the Mahmud Gawan Madrasa
Nicknames: 
The City of Whispering Monuments and Crown Town
Map
Coordinates: 17°54′43″N 77°31′12″E / 17.912°N 77.520°E / 17.912; 77.520
Country India
State Karnataka
DistrictBidar district
Founded byBommagondeshwara
Named forBidri
Government
 • TypeMunicipal Council
 • BodyBidar City Municipal Council
Area
[1]
 • Total55.6 km2 (21.5 sq mi)
Elevation
[2]
710 m (2,330 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total216,020
 • Density3,900/km2 (10,000/sq mi)
 • Sex ratio
[3]
938♀/1,000 ♂
Demonyms
  • Bidarians
  • Bidarinavaru
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
Pincode(s)
585401/02/03
Area code+91-(0)8482
Vehicle registrationKA-38
Official languageKannada[4]
Literacy92.88%
Websitebidarcity.mrc.gov.in

Bidar ( Kannada: [biːd̪əɾ] ) is a city and headquarters of the Bidar district in Karnataka state of India. Bidar is a prominent place on the archaeological map of India, it is well known for architectural, historical religious and rich heritage sites. Picturesquely perched on the Deccan plateau, the Bidar fort is more than 500 years old and still standing strong.[5] According to the book "Bidar Heritage" published by the state Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, of the 61 monuments listed by the department, about 30 are tombs located in and around Bidar city.,[6] explaining its nickname, "City of Whispering Monuments". The heritage sites in and around Bidar have become the major attraction for film shooting in recent years, with Bollywood making visits apart from Kannada film industry[7]

Bidar is home for the second biggest Indian Air Force training centre in the country. The IAF Station Bidar is used for advanced jet training of prospective fighter pilots on BAe Hawk aircraft.[8]

Bidar city is known for its Bidri handicraft products, and its rich history. Bidar is also considered one of the holiest place for Sikh pilgrimage. Unlike other places in the region, Bidar is the coldest and wettest place in north Karnataka. For the year 2009–10, Bidar was ranked 22nd among the cleanest cities in India, and 5th cleanest in Karnataka.[9] SH4 passes through Bidar and the whole city is integrated with 4 lane road.

  1. ^ a b "City/Town Summary". Bidar City Municipal Council, ಬೀದರ ನಗರಸಭೆ. Archived from the original on 22 February 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  2. ^ Elevation of the CITY is not to be confused with that of TALUKA, which averages to 664m (2178ft)
  3. ^ "Bidar City Census 2011 data". census2011.co.in. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  4. ^ "50th Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India (July 2012 to June 2013)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  5. ^ "Bidar fort stands the test of time". Deccan Herald. 4 January 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  6. ^ "Bidar has 30 tombs of former kings". The Hindu. 6 August 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Holding fort at Bidar". The Hindu. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  8. ^ "Two Hawks will land in Bidar on November 12". The Hindu. 11 November 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  9. ^ "India's cleanest: Where does your city stand?". News.rediff.com. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2013.