About Bijapur

Country: India | State: Karnataka

Ideal Trip Duration: 2 Full Days

Nearest City to Bijapur: Hubli (198 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Bijapur: Not Available

Peak Season: Not Available

At a distance of 100 km from Solapur, 147 km from Kalaburgi, 176 km form Kolhapur, 197 km from Hubli, 216 km from Belgavi, 262 km from Bidar, 334 km from Goa, 351 km from Pune, 355 km from Hyderabad, 513 km from Mumbai, and 520 km from Bangalore, Bijapur, officially Vijayapura, is a city located in the South Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Bijapur district, and among the most famous heritage places to visit as part of Karnataka tour packages.

Bijapur is recognized as one of the most significant heritage sites in Karnataka, and ranks among the ten most populous cities in the state. Often referred to as the 'Agra of South India', Bijapur is renowned for its remarkable examples of ancient architectural grandeur. As the opulent capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty, Bijapur has played a crucial role in the rich history of Karnataka. The city is home to India's largest dome, the Gol Gumbaz, along with numerous other monuments and remnants of forts. Additionally, it is well-known for the Karnataka Premier League team, the Bijapur Bulls.

The establishment of the city dates back to the 10th and 11th centuries during the era of the Kalyani Chalukyas, originally named Vijayapura, meaning 'city of victory'. Following the decline of the Chalukyas, the city came under the control of the Yadavas. By the late 13th century, Bijapur fell under the influence of Alauddin Khalji of Delhi and subsequently became part of the Bahmani Sultanate in 1347. After the split of the Bahmani Sultanate, the Adil Shahis governed the Bijapur Sultanate from 1490 until 1686. During this period, Vijayapura flourished as a cultural hub, attracting musicians, artists, and scholars from diverse regions, including Persia and Arabia.

The Adil Shahi rule concluded when Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb launched an attack in 1687, leading to Mughal control until 1723. In 1724, Bijapur came under the Nizam's authority, followed by the Marathas in 1760, and ultimately fell into the hands of the British East India Company in 1818, becoming part of the Maratha princely state of Satara. Following India's independence, Bijapur was incorporated into the state of Karnataka on November 1, 1956, during the reorganization of states, and was officially renamed 'Vijayapura' in 2014.

Bijapur, a city rich in heritage and history, is renowned for its stunning mosques, mausoleums, palaces, and fortifications. As you stroll through its ancient streets, you will be captivated by its architectural marvels and vibrant culture, allowing you to experience the grandeur of a bygone era. The Gol Gumbaz, an iconic mausoleum constructed by Sultan Mohammed Adil Shah, stands out as the most prominent monument in the city. Other notable places to visit in Bijapur include Ibrahim Rauza, Bijapur Fort, the Citadel, Jama Masjid, Malik-e-Maidan, Gagan Mahal, and Asar Mahal. Additionally, nearby attractions such as Almatti Dam, Vijayapura District Forest, Kudala Sangama, and Krishna Heritage Park are worth exploring.

The closest airport is located in Gulbarga, approximately 174 km from Vijayapura, with well-connected flights from Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Indore. Bijapur is served by its own railway station, providing train services to various cities including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Hubli, Mysore, Shirdi, Pune, Bikaner, Mangalore, Shimoga, Goa, Varanasi, Solapur, Mumbai, Delhi, and Hosapete. The city is also well-connected by road to nearly all major cities in Karnataka, as well as Hyderabad, Pune, Satara, Goa, and Mumbai.

The optimal time to visit Bijapur is during the winter months, from October to February, when the weather is most pleasant, and suitable for sightseeing. While the monsoon season is also a possibility for travel, it may interfere with your plans due to rainfall. The summer months, from March to June, can be extremely hot, making it advisable to avoid scheduling your visit during this period.

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How to Reach Bijapur

By Air

Nearest Airport: Hubli - Hubli Airport (200 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Bijapur (0 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Bijapur Bus Station (0 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Bijapur

#1 of 16 Places to Visit in Bijapur

At a distance of 1 km from Bijapur Railway Station, Gol Gumbaz is a 17th-century mausoleum located in Bijapur, Karnataka. It is one of the must visit places as part of Bijapur tour packages.

Gol Gumbaz serves as the final resting place for Mohammad Adil Shah, the seventh sultan of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur, along with several of his relatives. The name of the monument is derived from 'Gola Gummata' or 'Gol Gombad,' which translates to 'circular dome.' It is situated directly behind the dargah of Hashim Pir, a revered Sufi saint. This site is preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and has been included in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2014, under the designation of Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate.

Gol Gumbaz stands as one of the prominent heritage sites near Hyderabad. Commissioned by Mohammed .....

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#2 of 16 Places to Visit in Bijapur

At a distance of 5 km from Bijapur Railway Station, Ibrahim Roza or Rauza is a funerary complex located in Bijapur, Karnataka. It is one of the must visit places as part of Bijapur heritage packages.

The Ibrahim Roza is an exquisite tomb complex that contains the remains of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, the sixth sultan of the Adil Shahi dynasty, along with his wife, Taj Sultana. Commissioned in 1627 by Taj Sultana, the second queen of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, the construction was overseen by Malik Sandal, a prominent Persian architect of the time, and was completed in 1633, shortly after the death of Taj Sultana. Due to its historical and architectural importance, it has been designated as a Monument of National Importance.

Ibrahim Rouza, meaning 'Ibrahim's garden tomb', is regarded as one of the most significant and magnificent structures from the Adil Shahi dynasty. It comprises a mausoleum and a mosque, which share .....

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#3 of 16 Places to Visit in Bijapur

At a distance of 3 km from Bijapur Railway Station, Bara Kaman is an unfinished mausoleum in Bijapur city of Karnataka. It is one of the most visited tourist places in Vijayapura.

The Bara Kaman was commissioned by Ali Adil Shah II in 1672 AD, intended to serve as the burial site for the king and his wives. The king aspired to create a mausoleum of unparalleled architectural excellence, surpassing the grandeur of the Gol Gumbaz. The design included twelve arches arranged both vertically and horizontally around the mausoleum dedicated to Ali Adil Shah and his spouses. However, for unknown reasons, the construction was left unfinished, with only two arches completed vertically.

The structure, designed by Malik Sandal, is a substantial square edifice, lacking a roof and featuring incomplete arches made of dark basalt. Although envisioned on a grand scale, it was never destined for completion. The platform .....

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#4 of 16 Places to Visit in Bijapur

At a distance of 3 km from Bijapur Railway Station, the Asar Mahal is a historical building in Bijapur. It is one of the must include places in Bijapur couple packages.

Asar Mahal is an impressive building located in Bijapur, towards the east of the citadel. The mahal was built by Mohammed Adil Shah, the ruler of Adil Shahi Kingdom, in 1646 AD. It is also known as Dad Mahal since it was initially used as hall of justice. Later, it was converted as reliquary and has become a highly revered place since it is said to hold two hairs from the beard of Muhammad. The word 'asar' here stands for holy relics.

Asar Mahal stands as a testament to the Indo-Islamic architectural style with intricate details and craftsmanship of exceptional quality. The building is surrounded by a beautiful garden that adds to the place's charm. On its eastern side is an open portico supported by four wooden pillars providing an idyllic view .....

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#5 of 16 Places to Visit in Bijapur

At a distance of 4 km from Bijapur Railway Station, Upli Buruj or Upli Burj is basically a watchtower situated in Vijayapura. It is one of the most visited Bijapur tourist places.

Constructed around 1584 by Hyder Khan, Upli Buruj is an 80-foot-tall (24 m) watchtower located to the north of Dakhani Idgah in Vijayapura. This spherical edifice features stone steps that spiral around its exterior, showcasing remarkable engineering and the creativity of its builders. Commonly referred to as 'Hyder Burj,' the tower is adorned with two large cannons positioned at its summit.

Historically, Upli Burj served as a crucial watchtower, providing protection against invaders, and it currently acts as an excellent observation point for tourists wishing to gaze over Bijapur. To reach the top, one must ascend the steep circular staircase. Upon reaching the summit, visitors are greeted with a panoramic view of Bijapur, .....

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#6 of 16 Places to Visit in Bijapur

At a distance of 2 km from Bijapur Railway Station, the Jama Masjid is a congregational mosque in the Bijapur city of Karnataka, India. It is one of the must include places in Bijapur leisure packages.

Jama Masjid also referred to as Jamiya Masjid or Jumma Masjid, was commissioned by Ali Adil Shah I of the Bijapur Sultanate in 1576 CE. The primary reason behind its establishment was to celebrate the Sultan's victory against the Vijayanagara Empire during the Battle of Talikota and the mosque was financed with money looted from the battle. Although the construction was never fully completed, it became the main mosque of Bijapur, succeeding an earlier, smaller congregational mosque erected by Ibrahim Adil Shah I. In 2014, UNESCO included the mosque on its tentative list for potential designation as a World Heritage Site, under the title 'Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate'.

Spanning an area of 54,250 square .....

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#7 of 16 Places to Visit in Bijapur

At a distance of 4 km from Bijapur Railway Station, the Malik-E-Maidan is a historical site situated inside the Bijapur Fort, Bijapur. It is one of the must include places in Bijapur family packages.

The Malik-E-Maidan, alternatively referred to as Malik-i-Maidan, is a 16th-century cannon situated atop Sherza Burj (Lion Tower) within the Bijapur Fort. The term Malik-E-Maidan translates to 'Lord of the Battlefield.' This cannon was cast in 1549 by the Persian engineer Muhammad Bin Husain Rumi from Turkey, who was in the service of Sultan Burhan Nizam Shah I of Ahmednagar. The Sultan later gifted the cannon to his son-in-law, Sultan Ali Adil Shah I of Bijapur. In 1565, it played a significant role in the Battle of Talikota, where Sultan Ali Adil Shah I led an assault against Aliya Rama Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire as part of the combined Deccan Sultanates force. Following the victory of the Deccan Sultanates, the cannon .....

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#8 of 16 Places to Visit in Bijapur

At a distance of 2.5 km from Bijapur Railway Station, the Mehtar Mahal is an ancient mosque situated near Asar Mahal in Bijapur. It is one of the prominent places of sightseeing in Bijapur.

The Mehtar Mahal was constructed in 1620s during the rule of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, who governed from 1579 to 1627. According to legend, the palace's sweeper meticulously built this structure in 1620 using gold coins received as 'enaam' (tips) from King Ibrahim Adil Shah II during his frequent visits. Another narrative suggests that a fakir gradually erected this modest monument over time, utilizing charitable donations, likely in the form of gold coins, bestowed upon him by King Ibrahim Adil Shah II.

Although referred to as a mahal, the building serves as an entrance gateway to a mosque and stands as one of the most exquisite edifices within the Bijapur Fort. Designed in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style, this remarkable structure ascends across three levels. It features two slender .....

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#9 of 16 Places to Visit in Bijapur

At a distance of 3 km from Bijapur Railway Station, Gagan Mahal is an ancient palace situated within Bijapur Fort. It is one of the must visit places as part of Bijapur packages from Hyderabad.

Ali Adil Shah commissioned the construction of Gagan Mahal as part of the Vijayapura Fort in the 1560s, utilizing it as both a royal residence and a Durbar hall. The term Gagan Mahal translates to 'heavenly palace' and is regarded as the first large-scale royal residence established by the Adil Shahi dynasty. Historical accounts indicate that Sikandar Adil Shah, the last ruler of this dynasty, capitulated to Aurangzeb within the confines of the Gagan Mahal in Bijapur.

Constructed in the Indo-Islamic architectural style, Gagan Mahal was the tallest edifice in Bijapur at the time of its completion. The structure comprises two levels. The ground floor served as the audience hall or durbar hall, where royal ceremonies and .....

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#10 of 16 Places to Visit in Bijapur

At a distance of 7.5 km from Bijapur Railway Station, Saath Kabar is a tomb complex situated in the outskirts of the city of Bijapur. It is one of the historical places to visit in Bijapur.

Saath Kabar, which translates to 'sixty graves,' is a notable dark tourism site located in Vijayapura. This location is associated with a tragic event and a harrowing narrative. The tale of Saath Kabar pertains to the 63 wives of Afzal Khan, the military leader under Adil Shahi II, who were murdered. The graves serve as a chilling reminder of the brutal fate that befell these women at the hands of their own husband.

During the reign of Ali Adil Shah, Afzal Khan held the position of army chief. Amidst the ongoing conflicts between Chatrapathi Shivaji and Ali Adil Shah II, an astrologer foretold that Afzal Khan would perish in battle and would not return. Consumed by anger, jealousy, and possessiveness, the commander resolved to take the lives of his 63 wives before his own demise, ensuring .....

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