Bijapur

Bijapur

In the mid-19th Century, Bijapur was already called the

"Palmyra of the Dekhan."

Foundation were laid during the Chalukyans in

10th-11th centuries called Vijayapura, the City of Victory

Towards end of 13th century came under the influence of

Allaudin Khilji, Sultan of Delhi

Ruled in 1347 by Bahamani Kings of Bidar which declined and led to the establishment of the Adil Shahi

Dynasty in 1490
The city then flourished for two centuries until the Moghul

Aurangzeb conquered it in 1686. Bijapur slipped

gradually into near-oblivion.

Bijapur, 1550 1660 AD

Great burst of architectural activity under

the Adil Shahi dynasty

Over 50 mosques, more than 20 tombs and a number of palaces

Employment of large numbers of Indian artisans

Six Gates in the 10km

circumference of the city walls connected to the heart of the city by radial roads

No definite alignment of pattern in the arteries of thoroughfare

Extensive fortification creating a ring wall of 10km in circuit

Moats, Crenallations upto 12m thk and 10 m high built of compacted earth with stone revetment strengthened by over 100

irregularly spaced bastions

Five main gates, clad in iron

and defended by twin bastions

Extensive waterworks network of underground catchment tunnels and earthern pipes led to feed the Taj bauri, Chand Bauri and Kumatagi, which became grand water pavilions and palaces of royal retreat

The early mosques of the Adil Shahis are usually

three-bays with the simple, broad, lowsprung arches

The culmination of these mosques is the great JamiMasjid of Bijapur. It has an open prayer hall surrounded on three sides by arcades, which define the open court in front of the mihrab. The great dome on top of the qibla is supported by great

interlocking arches rising from the square base below.

The chajja on top of the outer arches of the court is supported by numerous brackets, and the central arch in axis with the mihrab stands out by the addition of cusps to its inner curve. The later mosques of the dynasty, like the Anda Masjid of

1608 and the Mihtari Masjid of 1620 show an

increasing elaboration of forms.

Of the rauzas (combination of mosque and tomb) the best

example is perhaps that of Ibrahim II.

The mosque and tomb are directly facing one another, with the middle space occupied by an ornamental pool, on a rectangular terrace set out along the charbagh concept.

Gol Gombuz has the second

largest dome after St Peters Basilica, in ROME.

It was initially built for palace and later a dancing hall, which explains the purpose of whispering gallery. Ultimately it was converted into a Tomb probably inspired by the TAJ MAHAL.

The tomb of Adil shah rests in this place who reigned between 16261657. The edifice in front of Gol Gobuz housed the artillery now it houses a museum. The faade of Gol Gombuz, however seems to be incomplete

Gol Gumbaj is one of the biggest single chamber structures in the world. It was build over a floor area of 1700 sq m with a

height of 51 m and diameter of 37 m. the walls of the tomb are 3m thick.

The work of the mausoleum was never properly accomplished as was thought since construction began towards the end of Muhammad Adil Shah's reign. As a result, the tomb is a plain square block with towers on each corner. The tomb is built of

dark gray basalt and decorated plasterwork.

The mausoleum is topped by a monumental dome. The base of the dome is carved with

elegant petals that cover the drum.

The total height of the dome from ground level up to the top from outside is 60 m. The dome rests on the system of

pendantive, which is a system of intersecting arches.