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 Bijapur is a town blessed by scattered ruins and still intact gems of the 15th to 17th century Muslim architecture. It was the capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty (1489-1686), one of the splinter states formed when the Bahamani Muslim kingdom broke up in 1482. Bijapur is strongly Muslim in character. The town is dotted with mosques, mausoleums, palaces and fortifications. A formidable fort surrounds the town, which has some of the finest mosques in the Deccan and retains a pleasant atmosphere.
Malik-e-Maidan (King of the Plains) - is a huge cannon, believed to be one of the largest medieval guns. It is 4m long, almost 1 ½ m in diameter and estimated to weigh 55 tonnes. It was cast in 1549 and was brought to Bijapur as a war trophy. Perched atop a fort wall, the cannon was hauled from war-ravaged Purandar in Maharashtra with the help of 400 bullocks, 10 elephants and hundreds of men. A unique feature of this gun is that it is always cool even under the blazing sun. When tapped gently, it tinkles softly like a bell.
Other Attractions - include the Asar Mahal, located near the citadel, served as a Hall of Justice. The Mihtar Mahal, is a stained but richly decorated building that serves as an ornamental gateway to a small mosque. It is said that it was built for the sweepers of the royal house! Upli Buruj - is a 16th century 24m high watchtower built near the western walls of the city. It has a couple of hefty canons on the top and offers good views of the city and the plains
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Place To See |
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Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Roza, The Citadel |
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Things to do |
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Heritage Sightseeing |
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How to reach |
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By road and rail |
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| Destination |
Gol Gumbaz |
| Location |
Bijapur |
| State |
Karnataka |
| Destination type |
Heritage Site |
| Activities |
Heritage sight seeing |
 Built in 1659, is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah and some members of his family. Its vast dome is said to be the second largest dome, unsupported by pillars, in the world, after St. Peter's in the Vatican City of Rome. It is constructed in such a way that even a pin drop can be heard distinctly from across a space of 38 m, in the Whispering Gallery. The acoustics here are such that any sound made is said to be repeated 10 times over. In the surrounding ornamental gardens is an archeological museum. |
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| Destination |
Ibrahim Roza |
| Location |
Bijapur |
| State |
Karnataka |
| Destination type |
Heritage Site |
| Activities |
Heritage sight seeing |
 This mausoleum was erected by Ibrahim Adil Shah II (1580-1626) for his queen Taj Sultana, at the height of Bijapur's prosperity. The emphasis here is on elegance and delicacy, unlike the immensity of the Gol Gumbaz. Its 24m high minarets are said to have inspired those of the Taj Mahal. Its one of the few monuments with substantial stone filigree and other decorative sculptural work. Interred here are Ibrahim Adil Shah, his queen and some other family members. |
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| Destination |
The Citadel |
| Location |
Bijapur |
| State |
Karnataka |
| Destination type |
Heritage Site |
| Activities |
Heritage sight seeing |
 Surrounded by its own fortified walls and wide moat in the city centre, the Citadel once contained the palaces, pleasure gardens and durbar hall of the Adil Shahi kings. Although most of them are in ruins, there are still some impressive fragments. The most impressive of which is the Gagan Mahal built by Adil Shah to serve the dual purpose of royal residence and durbar hall. Nearby is the Sat Manzil, Mohammed Adil Shah's seven storey palace, though substantially in ruins. Then there are the Jala Manzil, a delicate water pavilion surrounded by secluded courts and gardens and the Bara Kaman, the ruined mausoleum of Ali Roza that has graceful arches. |
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| Destination |
Juma Masjid |
| Location |
Bijapur |
| State |
Karnataka |
| Destination type |
Pilgrim Centre/Holy Place |
| Activities |
Heritage sight seeing |
 Juma Masjid - considered one of the finest in India, is a finely proportioned mosque that was constructed by Ali Adil Shah I (1557-80). It sprawls over an area of about 1,16,300sq.m and has graceful arches, a fine dome and a large inner courtyard with room for 2250 worshippers, spaces for them marked out in black squares on the polished floor. The Mosque's sacred alcove has the Koran intricately painted on it with letters of gold. |
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