Centuries ago, Bidar had its own Shah Rukh Khan, who was borne of the Bahamani royal lineage in the 15th century. But, he could not become king Khan. His tomb, a beautiful structure, is the only reminder of his presence now.
Situated on the Bidar-Malegaon Road near Ashtur village, the tomb remains neglected and unknown to tourists. The 35-ft tall cubical structure is mostly intact except for the damaged semi-spherical dome, which is massive with a circumference of 108 ft. It has stucco style calligraphy on three sides, etched in lime and mortar. They include lines from religious texts.
Two tombs, of Shah Rukh Khan and his son, lie under a maze of arches, arched niches and squinches that support the dome. The cubical structure has been transformed into an octagon by the extensive use of pillars and snake-head-shaped archways. An opening in the floor leads to the basement below the two sarcophagus shaped tomb stones. The tombs have been closed now.
Secluded place
“His tomb is in a secluded place, outside the necropolis of Ashtur, where the Bahamani kings are buried. This means that he was a scion of the royals, but never became the Badshah or Sultan,” says Abdul Samad Bharati, author of ‘Bidar Ke Asare Kadima’ (historical monuments of Bidar), an Urdu guide. “Looking at the beauty and grandeur of his tomb, we can infer that Shah Rukh Khan was an important person in the Bahamani family,” the writer adds.
There is a small tomb next to that of Shah Rukh Khan’s called Kambliwali Gudi (the temple of the saint with the rug), a woman saint who is believed to bless the faithful with fertility. Childless women light lamps here for two weeks seeking blessings.
Situated near Ashtur village, the tomb of Shah Rukh Khan, who belonged to the Bahamani family, remains unnoticed
