The massive Gulbarga fort is considered one of the earliest examples of Islamic architecture in Karnataka. An existing structure, it was fortified by Alauddin Bahamani when Gulbarga became the capital of the Bahamani Sultans. Within the crumbling fort, one can see a number of ancient structures including massive buildings, mosques, temples, stables, ammunition dumps, carriages, towers, guns, and long courtyards.
In fact, a distinct Indo-Persian architectural style came into existence after the establishment of the Bahmani dynasty in the Deccan region.
As other forts in India, this fort too was originally built by a feudal lord, Raja Gulchand of the Warangal Kakatiyas. The fort is based in an area of 0.5 acres with a peripheral length of three kilometres and is well fortified with double fortification. A 30-feet-wide moat surrounds the fort, demonstrating the Sultans' bid to secure the complex. One of the most well-preserved structures are the towers mounted with guns which are more than 25-feet-long.