The plethora of ancient mosques, mausoleums, palaces, fortifications that dot the landscape of Bijapur stands as mute witness of the grandeur of this one-time capital of the Adil Shahi kings (1489-1686). One of the largest districts in Karnataka, Bijapur rose to prominence during the reign of the Kalyani Chalukyas who held sway between the tenth and Eleventh centuries. They christened the city Vijayapure, meaning "the City of Victory", from which the present name Bijapur has been derived.
Allauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, annexed Bijapur towards the end of the 13th century. The baton passed to the Bahmani Kings of Bidar in 1347 and as the Bahmani power faded into the sunset, the Adil Shahi dynasty took possession of Bijapur. The Adil Shahi throne was eventually usurped by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1686.
During its halcyon days under the Adil Shahi dynasty, Bijapur witnessed the construction of architectural monuments galore. The Adil Shahis patronized the building of mosques, tombs and a number of palaces. Among them, the "Gol Gumbaz" is an architectural wonder, attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. Travel to Bijapur to experience its rich heritage.
Places to See:
Gol Gumbaz
The piece-de-resistance among Bijapur attractions, this magnificent architecture is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah (1627 -56), the seventh ruler of the Adil Shahi dynasty. An epitome of architectural wizardry, the central dome of the tomb, second in size only to the dome of St Peter's Basilica in Rome, stands unsupported by any pillars. The whispering gallery is another astonishing facet, which distinctly echoes the faintest whisper eleven times.
Ibrahim Roza
The handiwork of expert Iranian artisans, this square enclosure consists the tombs of Ibrahim Adil Shah II and his family. This monument, which is believed to have inspired the creation of the Taj Mahal at Agra, is noted for its striking symmetry of proportion, exquisite minarets cupolas, parapets and cornices. This whole structure lies above a basement which houses secret passages (used to store munitions and food) and also holds living quarters for the cavalry, with stables opposite.
Malik-e-Maidan
This mammoth cannon, fourteen feet long and weighing about 55 tons, is an awe-inspiring sight. Built by the Adil Shahis, the muzzle of the cannon is shaped like the head of a lion crushing an elephant to death with its huge jaws. A unique feature of this legendary gun is that it is always cool to touch even under the blazing sun.
Jumma Masjid
During your tour of Bijapur, do not miss this magnificent mosque. The Jumma Masjid spreading over an area of 116300 square feet is regarded as one of the finest mosques in India. An epitome of Adil Shahi architecture, this grand mosque is a visual delight with its graceful arches, aisles, halls, intricate designs, and large crowning onion dome. The masjid carefully preserves a Quran with verses inscribed in letters of gold.
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