Gulbarga has the famous Fort, Basaveshwara temple and Khaja Bande Nawaaz, the Muslim shrine.

Bidar Fort one among the seven largest forts in the country was the capital of Bahamani kingdom. The Magnificent Gurudhwara at Bidar the Holy place of the Sikhs in India one of the most beautiful structures, attracts piligrims and tourists all the rough the year. Gurunanak, the founder of Sikh religion seems to have visited this place in a year of drought and famine. Gurunanak prayed and a water spring started flowing from that place miraculourly, and it continues flow even today. The holy water is known as Gurunanak zhira. The existence of a number of temples with their historical background speaks of a rich spiritual and cultural heritage. The 'Bidri Art' which found patronage of the Mughal Kings is very attractive and popular. Lambani dance, Kolata, Bhajan singing and folk songs (Janapada) are the popular folk arts of this region.

Though the region has given birth to great poets and laureates like Srivijaya, Ponna, Ranna and Kalichand, the one person who has definitively made an impact in the religious, social and literary field, and revered even today in the entire region is Basavanna of Bagewadi. His birth is obscure. From a poor family he rose to the position of the prime minister under King Bijjala . He showed great interest in Veerashaiva religion, started 'Anubhava Mantap', invited spiritual leaders from all faiths irrespective of caste and creed to share their spiritual experiences. He started reform of the Hindu religion by denouncing all discrimination based Caste. His followers are known as the Lingayats, and they now claim Veera Shaivism is a distinct religion from Hinduism. The Vachanas written by Basavanna are his unique contribution to Kannada literature. Taking examples from day to day life of the people, he conveys a powerful message to his followers. Akka Mahadevi, Allama Prabhu, Haralayya, Machideva are revered followers of Basavanna, besides hundreds of other saints from various castes who are called 'Sharanas'.

Though the casteism is prevalent in the society even among the Lingayats today, people of all faiths live in harmony, and we do not see much of religious intolerance. The celebrative and festive culture of the people is something that is unique in this place. The Hindu calendar is marked with a religious feast every fortnight! Of these the Dassera, Deepavali, Moharam, Sankrathi, Holi are celebrated with pomp and gaiety by all people . Jathras and Urus are common phenomena in most of the villages and towns. Pravachanas, the explanation of the Puranas or Vachanas and cultural programmes form part of these Jathras.

The majority of the people in this part of the state are poor. Popularly known as the 'Hyderabad-Karnataka Region, it is the most backward region of Karnataka. There are only two kinds of people : the land lords and the daily wage earners, the coolies. The vast majority are the coolies or the landless labourers who live on daily wages. Unfortunately, they do not get work all through the year. In many places, they do not have work even for six months in a year. The small and marginal farmers have only arid land in their name and do not make any profit from their farms.

Though the region has seen great religious and social reform in the past, its impact on the society is not seen much today. The society is sharply divided by the rigid caste system. Discrimination on the basis of caste still prevails. The Dalits are getting more and more organized by embracing Buddhism. Dr. Ambedkar, an icon of liberation is revered as god by most of the Dalits.