Bijapur city in Uttara Karnataka is well known across the country
for its historical monuments built during the rule of Emperor Adil Shahi.
Monuments in this city date back to the 11th century, when the city was founded
by the Chalukya dynasty. Christened Vijayapura by the Chalukyas, the city was
re-christened 'Bijapur' once the reign of the Chalukya came to an end. Bijapur
is divided into three distinct parts- The Fort, the Citadel and the City.
Beyond the walls of Bijapur are the remains of the once glorious city which has
disintegrated into dust and rubble in recent years. Monuments like the tombs,
mosques, temples, caravanserais and other grand edifices bear mute testimony to
the former splendour and majesty of the city.
Bijapur is well-connected by rail to cities within
and beyond the borders of Karnataka. One can also arrive by air. The nearest
airport is at Belgaum, about 205 kilometres away from Bijapur. State tourist
buses ply between major cities and towns of the state to Bijapur, offering
tourists a convenient and quick alternative to the railway network.
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Places of interest in Bijapur are outlined as follows.
Gol Gumbaz
Attraction: Massive and majestic dome
The second largest dome in the world is
housed in Bijapur, built by renowned architect Yaqut of Dabul, under the
patronage of ruler Mohammed Adil shah during the Shah dynasty. The Gol Gumbaz
is an architectural marvel. The massive dome was erected without the aid of
pillars. The Gumbaz has four minarets with a fleet of stairs that lead to the
central dome offering tourists a fantastic view of Bijapur.
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Malik-e-Maidan (The Monarch of the
Plains)
Attraction: Famous for the largest cannon in
the world
The Malik-e-Maidan is the world's largest
medieval cannon, measuring 4 meters in length, 1.5 metres in width and weighs
about 55 tonnes. This cannon was brought back from Ahmadnagar in the late
17th century as a war trophy by a force of four hundred oxen, ten elephants
and hundreds of men. It was carefully placed on the Lion Gate or the Sherza
Burj platform. The nozzle of the
cannon is fashioned in the shape of the head of a lion, with jaws wide open.
Between the curved lion fangs is an elephant depicted as being crushed to
death. According to historical sources, once a gunner ignited the cannon, he
would remain underwater in a tank of water built on the platform to avoid the
deafening explosion. The cannon has a remarkable property of remaining cool
even in harsh sunlight and tinkles like a bell if tapped.
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Ibrahim Rauza
Attraction: Mosque and mausoleum amid scenic gardens
One of the most beautiful structures in the historic city of
Bijapur, the Ibrahim Rauza was designed by renowned architect Malik Sandal. The
site contains a mosque and a tomb, behind a massive yet ornate entrance with
exquisite carvings. The site contains the remains of the great ruler of the
Shah dynasty, King Ibrahim Adil Shah II and his wife. The mausoleum houses a
mosque and four minarets. According to legend, the grandeur of this structure
inspired the construction of Taj Mahal by Shah Jahan. This majestic monument is
complimented by a large and well-maintained picturesque garden.
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Entrance Fee:
For
the citizens of India and visitors of SAARC nations like
Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and
Afghanistan as well as BIMSTEC Countries like Thailand and Myanmar,
the entry fee is Rs. 5 per head.
Others: US $2 or Indian Rs.
100/- per head
Children: Free entry to children up to 15 years
Visit this scenic tourist spot for an enjoyable vacation to the
Shah stronghold.
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