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Takht Mahal
 Location
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Bidar, Karnataka
Famous As
:
The Royal Palace Of The Erstwhile Rulers Of Bidar
Carvings
:
Amalgam of Hindu & Islamic Styles
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.
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.
A breathtaking view can be had of the low lands and the western
fortifications from the windows of the royal apartments.
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