Bidar is one of the most underrated cities in all of India. The Bahmani Sultanate made it their capital in the 15th century, and what they built there, including the Bidar Fort, the madrasa of Mahmud Gawan, and dozens of royal tombs, is extraordinary. Bijapur, now called Vijayapura, houses the Gol Gumbaz, whose whispering gallery acoustic effect is genuinely stunning. These must-see heritage cities of the Deccan are in Karnataka and Maharashtra and are easily connected by road. Most travelers skip them entirely and drive straight past on the way to Hampi, which is a real shame.
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