Rangin Mahal, Bidar, Karnataka India

Rangin Mahal literally means The Colored Palace, and this name was apparently given to it on account of its walls being originally decorated with tiles of different hues, traces of which still exist.  It was originally built by Mahmud Shah Bahmani and some of the apartments were rebuilt by Ali Barid Shah, who adorned them with wood carving and mother of pearl works. In modern times, this has been used by the local administration, and several portions have been built which not only mar the general appearance of the building, but makes it difficult to trace its original plan. Today, it is completely barred from entrance and is opened only for dignitaries.

This palace, immediately within the Gumbad Gate is one of the best preserved. It dates mainly from the rule of Ali Barid Shah in the mid-16th century. A six-bay hall of carved wood columns forms a rectangular foyer. The columns have elaborate capitals and intricately carved brackets. Entrances to the inner rooms have a frame of multicoloured tilework with Koranic verses above the entrance arch. The inner chambers have more tilework and mother-of-pearl inlay work, mainly around the entrances, and on a panel along the base of the walls.

Positioned in Bidar, the colorful palace called as Rangin Mahal is close to the Gumbad Darwaza. The shifting of the royal palace from the main palace to this small set of rooms is certified to the Abyssinian effort to grab power from Mahammad Shah Bahamani in 1487 AD.

The fleeing king took refuge from the rebels by taking shelter in the 'Shah Burz' adjoining the gumbad until saved by loyalists. The king felt it was auspicious to stay there and so the rooms were built into the Rangin Mahal.

Rangin Mahal, Rangin Mahal historical, Rangin Mahal travel, Rangin Mahal tourism, Rangin Mahal Historical PlaceThis was later improved by Ali Barid who was responsible for the woodwork and the mother-of-pearl inlay work. The tile work and the granite with mother-of-pearl inlay work are the unique features of the palace walls.

The outer hall with intricately carved wooden pillars was meant for the purpose of giving audience. A Persian couplet worked out in encaustic tiles sums up the king's wisdom and pious philosophy.

While the Rangin Mahal gives a hint of the fine artistic taste of the rulers, yet it shows that the kingdom was no longer at its zenith. Shrunken revenues from a shrinking empire dictated the size of palaces and the tombs.

The Rangeen Mahal or the colourful palace, positioned within the Gumbad Gate, is one of the best preserved sites in Bidar. The palace is believed to be built in the mid-16th century by Mahmud Shah Bahamani and some of the rooms were rebuild by Ali Barid Shah, who ornamented them with wood carving and mother of pearl engravings.

The tile work and the granite with mother-of-pearl inlay work are the exclusive features of the citadel walls. The external hall has intricate engraved wooden pillars. The palace has a six-bay hall with remarkable carved wood columns forming a rectangular foyer. The columns too enclose convoluted capitals and intricately engraved brackets, which shows the skills of the artisans of those days. Even the entrances to the internal accommodations have a frame of colourful tile work with Koranic verses on top of the entrance arch. Furthermore, the interior chambers have more tile work and mother-of-pearl inlay work, mostly around the entries, and on a board along the base of the fortifications. Persian couplets written in en-caustic tiles sums up the king's astuteness and devout beliefs.

The place definitely is a treat for all those with an eye for beauty and taste for a slice of history!