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It was the capital of the Bahmani Kingdom from 1428-1489. Aurangazeb captured it in 1656 and it remained under a series of Mughal governors until 1724 when the Nizams captured it. The inner fort was built by Mohammad Shah 1482-1518. Rangin Mahal whose rooms are exquisitely decorated with coloured tiles, inlaid with mother of pearl is inside the fort.
Bijapur Fort :
The period of Ali Adil Shah I 1557 -79 was considered as golden period of Bijapur. He encouraged the architecture and built the Jama Masjid to commemorate the Talikota Victory. He also expanded and consolidated his kingdom, laid the water works, built the citadel of halls, palaces, pavilions and gardens. Bijapur reached its political, cultural and territorial zenith under his successor, Ibrahim Adil Shah II 1580-1626.
Mark Zebrowski compared Ibrahim to Akbar and called him 'The Greatest Patron of the arts that Deccan produced'. Ibrahim Rauza, the exquisite walled tomb and mosque of the ruler and his family, is covered with faded floral murals and carved Arabic calligraphy.
Seringapatam Fort :
It is 16 km from Mysore. Daria Daulat Bagh a well-maintained ornamental gardens is located near the fort. The fort also contains the artists' impressions of the 'last battle', drawn by employees of the British East India company. All around the internal walls of the ground floor of the fort are paintings depicting Tipu Sultan campaigns, against the British.
Vijayanagar Fort :
It was the capital of Vijaynagar, and was once the largest empire in south India. This old city of India rivalled Rome in splendour during the reign of Krishnadevaraya 1509-29. Prince Harihara established the new city of Vijaynagar or City of Victory after his victory over the Hoysalla kings and made it his capital in 1343. The ruins of city and fort have been often described as 'Virtually a vast open-air museum of Hindu monuments in the Dravidian style of architecture' and it stretches upto 16 km.
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