Catch a glimpse of Karnataka's richly textured history in this rugged 15th century fort surrounded by a triple-moated wall hewn out of red rock, with intricate battlements and an imposing gateway. The crumbling ruins of the bastions and gates, royal baths and kitchens, audience halls, and pleasure pavilions stand as silent testimonies to Bidar's past glory. The Rang Mahal has elaborately carved wooden pillars, Persian couplets engraved in tiles and exquisite mother-of-pearl inlay work. A leisurely stroll through the streets of Bidar takes you to the Madrassa of Khwaja Mahamud Gawan, an Islamic seminary built by Khwaja Mahamud Gawan, a prime minister of the Bahmani court, and the Chaubara, a 71ft. high tower in the heart of the city. From here, move on to Ashtur, to see the Bahmani Tombs whose interiors are adorned by carefully preserved medieval Muslim paintings.