Best Travel Duration

October-February

History Of Bijapur

The origin of Bijapur goes back to the early medieval period. The Chalukyan rulers of south India, between the 10th and 11th centuries laid the foundation of Bijapur. At that time, it was called as Vijayapura (the City of Victory). The local Yadavas rulers ruled it for about a century. Ala-ud-din Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, captured it and made it a part of his empire at the end of the 13th century. Khilji could not hold on to Bijapur for long and it became the part of the Bahamani Empire in 1347. The golden period of Bijapur started with the decline of the Bahamani rulers, when, in 1489, Yusuf Adil Shah, one of the nobles under the Bahamani rulers, laid the foundation of the Adil Shahi dynasty and made Bijapur the capital of his kingdom. The Adil Shah is ruled Bijapur until 1686, when the last great Mughal ruler Aurangzeb defeated them.

Places to Visit at Bijapur

Gol Gumbaz

Fortified walls surround the old city. The main places to visit within Bijapur are its monuments, which belong to the reign of the Adil Shahi dynasty. The imposing Gol Gumbaz or the Round Dome, which is to the eastern end of the walled city, is the main attraction of this city. Mohammad Adil Shah built it in 1659. This structure has the largest dome, unsupported by pillars, to be found in India and the second largest in the world. It houses the tomb of Mohammad Adil Shah. From the turrets of the Gol Gumbaz, one can have a panoramic view of the city.

Medieval complex

The medieval complex near the Gol Gumbaz has important buildings. There is an archeological museum and well-maintained gardens near the Gol Gumbaz. Ibrahim Roza, which is on the western outskirts of the city, is a beautiful tomb built by Adil Shah II for his queen. It is an important structure and is known for its highly decorative carving. The citadel, which is situated at the center of the walled city, is a small, fortified area with a moat.

How To Get To Bijapur

By Air:

Bijapur does not have an airport of its own. 

By Rail:

Bijapur railway station is located 2 km east of the city center, beyond the walled city. Few trains pass and stop at Bijapur. However, there are a number of trains to Sholapur (in the state of Maharashtra) and Gadag, which are important railheads, from where one can get trains to Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

By Road:

The main stand in Bijapur is near the southwestern side of the citadel, near the city center. Bus services to Badami (4 hours), Belgaum (5 hours), Gulbarga (4 hours), Bidar (7 hours), Hubli (4½ hours), and Sholapur (2 hours) are frequent.