GAGAN

MAHAL : Built in : 1561 A.D.

Location : Bidar, Karnataka

GAGAN MAHAL was built by Ali Adil Shah I around 1561 to serve the dual use of a royal residence and a durbar hall. The entrance to the outer court has a four-centered arch reminding one of Tudor structural design.

Gagan Mahal or Heavenly Palace was built by Ali Adil Shah I in 1561 as a royal palace with a durbar hall. It has three impressive arches and the central arch is the widest.

The platform is 80 ft wide. The arch is 20m long and 17m in height. The courtyard is an open space where thousands can assemble. There are stairs leading to the stage on both sides in the front.
There are two outlines on each of the eastern and northern facades. Persian emblems of the Lion along with the raising Sun in the background flank the arches on both sides. They are all in mosaic of beautiful coloured tiles.

The Gagan Mahal (Public Audience Hall)or palace in Persian architectural style has glazed mosaics and has an approach with arresting black granite steps interlaid with red sandstone.

Rear views of Gagan Mahal

From the rear of the double hall, the ladies of the harem could watch the animal fights held in the moat below.

The tall walls of the stage is painted a dull beige colour and contains few contemporary designs on it, along with few.

Gagan Mahal, is an open air auditorium, rather an elevated stage for witnessing the performance.