BIJAPURA
Bijapur
(ಬಿಜಾಪುರ)
is a fine example of Islamic style of architecture
and sculpture. The fort, the mosques, the mousoleums and the palaces constitute
the major categories. Some Hindu temples have sprung up during the recent period.
But they hardly hold any sculptural significance.
It is possible
to give only a cursory account of the monuments of Bijapur in this introductory
note. It should be supplemented by the bibliographical references that are provided.
The fort of Bijapur ranks among the biggest forts of
The outer walls
of the Gumbaz are decorated with the etchings and sculptures of pigeons, elephants,
lotus petals and necklaces. A platform in the inner hall contains artificial tombs
of the Muhammed Adil Shah and his relatives. The real tombs are located in the under
ground.
‘Arakilla’ (The
Citadel) is the inner fort located in the centre of the city. Anandamahal is a palace
built in 1589 by Ibrahim Adil Shah-2 and Gaganamahal is one of the royal courts
commisioned in 1561. Asar mahal is another important monument.
Malik E Maidan is a huge cannon made of bronze, weighing
fifty five tons. Its exit is shaped like the mouth of a lion and its smooth surface
consists of inscrptions in Arabic and Persian.
Ibrahim Roza
is perhaps the most famous among the Islamic architectures in Karnataka. This contains
the tomb of Ibrahim Adil Shah-2 along with the accompanying mosque. This structure
built before the Tajmahal bears many resemblances to the great monument. Mehtar
mahal is another small but elegant structure.
Bijapura contains many more monuments of historical
and architectural interest. A more detailed account can be found in web sites dealing
with Islamic architecture. Bijapura is also known for its Sufi saints who have provided
commendable models of religious harmony and have created poetry of lasting merit.
References: 1. Sufis of Bijapur, 1300-1700: Social
Roles of Sufis in Medieval India (Hardcover) by Richard M.Eaton, published by Princeton
Univ Pr (January 1978)
2. The New
3. ‘Karnatakada
Sufigalu’ by Rahamath Tarikere,
4. Indian Islamic
Architecture: Forms and Typologies, Sites and Monuments J
5. A History
of Karnataka: From Pre-history to Unification by P.B. Desai, 1970, Kannada Research
Institute,