Bijapur, officially renamed Vijayapura in 2014, is a city and the administrative headquarters of the Vijayapura district in the northern part of the state of Karnataka, India. Historically significant as the capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty between the 15th and 17th centuries, the city is well known for its concentration of Indo-Islamic monuments, including the Gol Gumbaz, the Ibrahim Rauza and the Jami Masjid.
Key Facts
| Name | Bijapur (Vijayapura) |
|---|---|
| State | Karnataka |
| District | Vijayapura |
| Region | North Karnataka, Deccan Plateau |
| Languages | Kannada, Urdu |
| Historical capital of | Adil Shahi Sultanate (1490–1686) |
| Notable monument | Gol Gumbaz (mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah) |
| Renamed to Vijayapura | 2014 |
Geography
Bijapur lies on the Deccan Plateau in the semi-arid northern districts of Karnataka, on the watershed between the Krishna and Bhima rivers. The terrain is generally flat to gently undulating, and the climate is hot and dry for much of the year, with rainfall concentrated in the south-west monsoon months. The city is connected by rail and road to Solapur in Maharashtra to the north and to Hubballi and Belagavi to the south-west.
History
The settlement is believed to have been founded under the Western Chalukyas of Kalyani during the 10th–11th centuries, when it was known as Vijayapura ("city of victory"). It later passed under the Yadavas of Devagiri before coming under the Delhi Sultanate in the early 14th century, and subsequently under the Bahmani Sultanate.
Adil Shahi period
In 1490, Yusuf Adil Shah, a governor of the Bahmani Sultanate, declared independence and established the Adil Shahi dynasty with Bijapur as its capital. Under successive rulers — including Ibrahim Adil Shah I, Ali Adil Shah I, Ibrahim Adil Shah II and Mohammed Adil Shah — the city grew into one of the most prominent political and cultural centres of the Deccan. The Adil Shahis were part of the alliance of Deccan sultanates that defeated the Vijayanagara Empire at the Battle of Talikota in 1565.
Bijapur was annexed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1686, ending the Adil Shahi dynasty. The city subsequently declined in political importance, passing through Mughal, Maratha and Nizam control before being incorporated into the Bombay Presidency under British rule in the 19th century.
Post-Independence
After Indian independence in 1947, Bijapur remained part of Bombay State until the linguistic reorganisation of states in 1956, when it was transferred to the newly formed Mysore State (renamed Karnataka in 1973). In 2014, the Government of Karnataka officially renamed the city and district from Bijapur to Vijayapura, restoring its earlier name.
Monuments and architecture
Bijapur is one of the foremost centres of Deccan Indo-Islamic architecture. Major monuments include:
- Gol Gumbaz — the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah, completed in 1656; its central dome is among the largest masonry domes in the world, and the structure is famous for its "whispering gallery".
- Ibrahim Rauza — the tomb and mosque complex of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, noted for its refined ornamentation.
- Jami Masjid — a large congregational mosque begun under Ali Adil Shah I.
- Malik-e-Maidan — a large medieval cannon mounted on the city's bastions.
- Bara Kaman — the unfinished mausoleum of Ali Adil Shah II.
- Asar Mahal, Gagan Mahal and Anand Mahal — palatial structures from the Adil Shahi era.
Economy
The economy of Bijapur is largely based on agriculture and allied activities. The surrounding region produces jowar, pulses, sunflower, sugarcane, grapes and pomegranates, and the area around Vijayapura is known for table-grape and raisin production. Trade, agro-processing, education and tourism centred on the historical monuments are other signific