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The Takht Mahal is located in
Bidar, past the Diwan-E-Am. Now in ruins,
it was the royal palace where the kings once lived. Entrance to it can be
had from either the northern side or through the small doorway near the
fallen archway.
The buildings here were the most splendid and a look at the arch still
preserved at the site where it had collapsed gives an idea of the height
and width of the dome over the royal apartments.
The poets of the time sing of domes in blue and how the entire palace
would appear to have been covered with encaustic tiles.
The central hall and the audience hall are easily made out. The Bahamanis
gave audience to special dignitaries here. As in Diwan-E-Am, the wooden
pillars have disappeared along with the lofty ceilings.
Behind the audience hall to the south was the room directly under the big
dome and this is fabulously decorated. The sculptured frames fitted to
alcoves are pleasing to the eye. To the west of this room is an open bath
or swimming pool.
Beyond this, to the western side were the personal apartments of the
royal family. The end room on this side has traces of paintings on the
wall and its dome has long since disappeared.
The Eastern and the northern facades of this room were brilliantly done in
tile work and may be seen even now fresh and gleaming. On the eastern
facade is the royal insignia-tiger, with rising sun at the back-worked out
in tiles. At the southern end is the hot water swimming pool.
The chaste carvings on granite that are found here are of special
importance because one can find both Islamic (geometric) and Hindu
(floral) designs worked out in stone.
A breathtaking view can be had of the low lands and the western
fortifications from the windows of the royal apartments.