Asar Mahal or Athar Mahal, or palace of holy Relic, is also known as Athar Mubarak and AtharShariff. It originallywas intended as a hall of Justice. For a shrot time it was used as such but later it was reserved for the safe custody of the relic box allegedy containing a few hairs of the prophet. Ascribed to Sultan Mohamad (1626-1656) the building is divided longitudinally, the forward half, being a great hall supported by the side walls on both end and four great wooden pillars in bet ween. The rear half is divided into halls and chamber on two floors. The central hall in the upstairs where the Sultana sat upon his mansad, is gilded with gold leaf, much of it still remins. Two rooms south of this hall are the show rooms being decorated with carved doors and gorgeous paintings and gilding. The motifs used are flowers, foliages, creepers and figures of men and women in nude, a rare occurance and divergence form the established Islamic Philosophy. These paintings are executed both in tempera and fresco technique. Scholars opine that European artists were engaged by the sultan Mohammad in executing the paintings.

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Dharwad Circle

Asar Mahal

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Asar Mahal

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