Chaubara, also spelt Choubara, is a historic

watchtower A watchtower or guardtower (also spelt watch tower, guard tower) is a type of military/paramilitary or policiary tower used for guarding an area. Sometimes fortified, and armed with heavy weaponry, especially historically, the structures are ...

located in

Bidar Bidar ( ) is a city and headquarters of the Bidar district in Karnataka state of India. Bidar is a prominent place on the archaeological map of India, it is well known for architectural, historical religious and rich heritage sites. Pictures ...

, in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is listed as a state protected monument.

History

The tower dates back to the

Bahmani The Bahmani Kingdom or the Bahmani Sultanate was a late medieval Persianate kingdom that ruled the Deccan plateau in India. The first independent Muslim sultanate of the Deccan, the Bahmani Kingdom came to power in 1347 during the rebellion o ...

period. It was probably built by Ahmad Shah, along with other fortifications of the city. It seems to have been used as a watchtower, as it offers a view of the entire plateau and lowlands around it for several miles. It might also have been used as a central tribunal for punishments of criminals, and promulgation of royal decrees. During the

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

period, a police station was built adjoining the tower on its northern side. However, it was removed upon the recommendations of the archaeological department.

Description

It is situated at the intersection of the two main streets of Bidar, which run from north to south, and east to west. It is a cylindrical tower, tapering upwards, and built entirely out of black trap masonry laid in

lime Lime most commonly refers to: * Lime (fruit), a green citrus fruit * Lime (material), inorganic materials containing calcium, usually calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide * Lime (color), a color between yellow and green Lime may also refer to: Bo ...

. It is about tall, thus commanding a view of the entire plateau and the lowlands surrounding it, far beyond the town. The tower has a circular base, measuring about in perimeter, and having a height of about . Arched niches are built into the base along its entire circumference, which may have been occupied by guards or may have been intended for pedestrians to take shelter in. An entrance to the base is provided on the eastern side. From there, a staircase leads to the top of the base. On this level, in the northern side, is a door which leads to a winding staircase that ascends to the top of the tower. This staircase comprises eighty steps. The tower has four rectangular openings to let in light and air. A

parapet A parapet is a barrier that is an upward extension of a wall at the edge of a roof, terrace, balcony, walkway or other structure. The word comes ultimately from the Italian ''parapetto'' (''parare'' 'to cover/defend' and ''petto'' 'chest/brea ...

about tall rises above the summit.

References

{{coord, 17.91165, 77.53020, format=dms, type:landmark_region:IN, display=title Buildings and structures in Bidar district Watchtowers State Protected Monuments in Karnataka