Rithik Rahman at 11:52, 5 May 2026

2026-05-05T11:52:31Z

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{{infobox building
| image = Choubara-Bidar-Karnataka-PhotoOne.jpg
| location = [[Bidar]]
| height = {{convert|71|ft|m}}
}}

'''Chaubara''', also spelt '''Choubara''', is a historic [[watchtower]] located in [[Bidar]], in the Indian state of Karnataka.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2015-07-15 |title=Photo Essay: The majestic ruins of Bidar under a beautiful blue sky |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/karnataka/photo-essay-majestic-ruins-bidar-under-beautiful-blue-sky-30166 |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> It is listed as a [[List of State Protected Monuments in Karnataka|state protected monument]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Protected Monuments in Karnataka |url=https://asi.nic.in/protected-monuments-in-karnataka/ |website=[[Archeological Survey of India]]}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Chaubara, Bidar.png|thumb|Chaubara, c. 1933]]
The tower dates back to the [[Bahmani Sultanate|Bahmani]] period. It was probably built by [[Ahmad Shah I Wali|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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Yazdani |first=Ghulam |url=https://ignca.gov.in/Asi_data/15322.pdf |title=Annual Report of the Archaeological Department of His Exalted Highness The Nizam's Dominions |publisher=Baptist Mission Press |year=1933 |location=Calcutta |pages=3–4 |author-link=Ghulam Yazdani}}</ref>

During the [[British Raj|British]] period, a police station was built adjoining the tower on its northern side. However, it was removed upon the recommendations of the archaeological department.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Yazdani |first=Ghulam |author-link=Ghulam Yazdani |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.279710/page/n1/mode/2up |title=Bidar, Its History and Monuments |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1947 |pp=90–92}}</ref>

==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 [[Limestone|lime]]. It is about {{convert|71|ft|m}} tall, thus commanding a view of the entire plateau and the lowlands surrounding it, far beyond the town.<ref name=":0" />

The tower has a circular base, measuring about {{convert|180|ft|m}} in perimeter, and having a height of about {{convert|16.75|ft|m}}. 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.<ref name=":0" />

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]] about {{convert|3.5|ft|m}} tall rises above the summit.<ref name=":0" />

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{coord|17.91165|77.53020|format=dms|type:landmark_region:IN|display=title}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bidar district]]
[[Category:Watchtowers]]
[[Category:State Protected Monuments in Karnataka]]

Chaubara watchtower - Revision history

Rithik Rahman at 11:52, 5 May 2026