Daijiworld News Network - Page concept and text: Richie Lasrado
Pics by Praveen Tauro Kulshekar
March 28, 2006
Bijapur, originally known as Vijayapur ("The city of Victory"), bordered by Bhima river on the north and Krishna in the south, was the capital of the Adil Shahi kingdom in northern Karnataka. About five centuries ago, it was described by foreign tourists and visitors as a flourishing city.
Mention Bijapur, one is reminded of the Gol Gumbaz, the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah of the Adil Shahi dynasty. It is considered the second largest dome in the world. It is certainly an architectural marvel . Fortyfour metres in diameter, it forms a highly sensitive echo-chamber. The slightest whisper echoes seven times over and the tick of a clock held at one end can be clearly heard at the other end which is 125 feet away.
Fourteen-foot-long, 55-tonne cannon
Ibrahim Rauza, 1626 AD
Mausoleum
Fine woodwork inside Ibrahim Rauza
Upali Buruz
Barah Kaman
Gol Gumbaz, which took thirty years to build (1626-1656)
View from top of the Gol Gumbaz
Fort
But that is not all. There's a lot more to see. Ibrahim Rauza, the mausoleum of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, situated on the western outskirts, is believed to the original inspiration for the Taj Mahal in Agra.
The 116,300-square-foot Jumma Masjid is one of the finest mosques in India. Malik-e-Maidan is the largest medieval cannon in the world. It is 14 feet long and weighs about 55 tonnes.
Afzal Khan's cenotaph, the Ara Qillah, the Anand Mahal, the Barah Kaman, the Jod Gumbaz... the list is quite long.
Certainly worth visiting.
Also see
Viju - Photo Album Collections
Dayanand Kukkaje - Photo Album Collections
Geekay's Photo Album Collections
Satish Ira - Photo Album Collections
Rajtilak Naik - Best of Goan Photo Album Collections
Other Albums