Sights in Bijapur
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Ibrahim Rouza
The beautiful Ibrahim Rouza is clearly among the most elegant and finely-proportioned Islamic monuments in India. Its tale is rather poignant: the monument was built by emperor Ibrahim Adil Shah II (r 1580–1627) as a future mausoleum for his queen, Taj Sultana. Ironically, he died before her, and was thus the first person to be rested there. Interred here with Ibrahim Adil Shah and his queen are his daughter, his two sons, and his mother, Haji Badi Sahiba.
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Jama Masjid
The finely proportioned Jama Masjid has graceful arches, a fine dome and a vast inner courtyard with room for more than 2200 worshippers. It was constructed by Ali Adil Shah I (r 1557–80), also responsible for erecting the fortified city walls and the Gagan Mahal. You can take a silent walk through its assembly hall, which still retains some of the elaborate murals. Women should make sure to cover their heads and not wear revealing clothing.
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Golgumbaz
Set in tranquil gardens, the magnificent Golgumbaz is big enough to pull an optical illusion on you; despite the perfect engineering, you might just think it’s ill-proportioned. Golgumbaz is actually a mausoleum, dating back to 1659, and houses the tombs of emperor Mohammed Adil Shah (r 1627–56), his two wives, his mistress (Rambha), one of his daughters and a grandson.
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Archaeological Museum
Set in the Golgumbaz lawns, fronting the monument, is a fantastic archaeological museum. Skip the ground floor and head upstairs; there you’ll find an excellent collection of artefacts, such as Persian carpets, china crockery, weapons, armours, scrolls and objects of daily use, dating back to Bijapur’s heydays.
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Asar Mahal
Built by Mohammed Adil Shah in about 1646 to serve as a Hall of Justice, the Asar Mahal once housed two hairs from Prophet Mohammed’s beard. The rooms on the upper storey are decorated with frescoes and a square tank graces the front. It’s out of bounds for women.
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Upli Buruj
Upli Buruj is a 16th-century, 24m-high watchtower near the western walls of the city. An external flight of stairs leads to the top, where you’ll find two hefty cannons and good views of other monuments around town.
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Mecca Masjid
On the eastern side of the citadel is the tiny, walled Mecca Masjid, thought to have been built in the early 17th century. Some speculate that this mosque, with high surrounding walls, may have been for women.
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Mihtar Mahal
The stained but richly decorated Mihtar Mahal serves as an ornamental gateway to a small mosque.
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