PLACES

BAGANI

Bagani (pop. 6,623) lying 24,14 km (15 miles) south-east of Islampur, is a village in Valva taluka once alienated to the junior branch of the Mantri family, The village had lofty walls, which were as high as 9.14 metres (30 ft.) at some places, a 12,19 metres (40 ft.) broad moat usually filled, with water and an inner citadel or fort entered by a lofty gate. Today the walls lie amidst ruins and the moat almost in an unworkable condition with hardly any water Of the citadel only a few fragments remain. It was a post or thana of the Bijapur kings (1490-1686). Bagani has a primary school, a high school, a balvadi, a branch post office and a gymnasium. Betel-nut crackers manufactured here are well-known all over the district and even outside. About 0.85 km (half a mile) to the east there is a mosque 2.78 nv (30 ft. square) and 4.57 metro (fifteen ft.) high with a small dome crowning the centre. The niches are saracenic, handsomely moulded and decorated with floral patterns. To the cast of this mosque is a courtyard about- 50.16 m² (sixty yards square) containing a mausoleum of the usual type in honour of Kadir Saheb, a pir, who received this honour for. among other things, miraculously curing a tumour with which Muhammad Sah, seventh king of Bijapur (1626-1656) was afflicted. The tomb inside is covered with a beautiful brocade curtain presented by the Manrris of Bagani.

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