Bidar-Its History and Monuments

by G. Yazdani

Dr. Yazdani, who visited Bidar, which was the capital of Baihmani kings during a hundred years from about the middle of the fifteenth century, for the first time in 1915, drew up a comprehensive programme for the thorough repair and conservation of the monuments at Bidar, and the work has been carried out through the enlightened policy of the Nizam`s Government by whose authority the present magnificently illustrated record has been made available. It surveys the physical features, history and architecture of Bidar and detail of the numerous historical monuments, which include rare masterpieces of architecture and ornament in the palace buildings, temples, mosques, and tombs. DR. GULAM YAZDANI served in the Hyderabad Government as Director of Archaeology for many years. He received several honorary Doctorates from a host of universities and many other honours like "Officer of the Distinguished Order of the British Empire" (O.B.E.) etc. Finally in recognition of his glorious literary services, the Government of India conferred the award of Padma Bhushan in 1959. The work is the only comprehensive monograph on the monuments of Bidar that still holds a singular position in the historical studies of Indian architecture. It is indeed a valuable treasure. SOM PRAKASH VERMA