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Bijapur

Pop: 220,000 Area Code 08352
Bijapur was the capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty (1489-1686), one of the five kingdoms established after the Bahmani Muslim kingdom broke up in 1482. The other four kingdoms ruled from Ahmednagar, Bidar, Gulbarga, and Golconda.

Bijapur is basically a dull city, with some interesting Muslim monuments dating from the 15th to the 17th centuries.

Orientation
The main road in town, Station Rd (MG Rd), runs east-west. This is where most of the hotels and restaurants are located. The railway station is 2km east of the center of the city, near the Gol Gumbaz. The bus stand is half a km south of Station Rd in the center of the city.

Information
The Tourist Office is on Station Rd.

The Post Office is on Station Rd.

You can change travelers cheques at Canara Bank, north of Gandhi Chowk; and at the State Bank of India in the Citadel.

Gol Gumbaz
This large monument is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah (1626-56), his two wives, has daughter, and his grandson. It has what is said to be the second largest dome in the world (the largest is at St. Peter’s in Vatican City). It is 38m (125 ft) in diameter.There is a gigantic hall, and on each corner, an octagonal seven-storey tower.

Above the hall at the base of the tomb is the “Whispering Gallery,” so called because any sound made echoes around it ten times. You enter the gallery by climbing the stairs in the southeastern tower. You can get a good view of the city from outside the dome (best in the morning). In the afternoon, the place is invaded by school children and becomes noisy. Open 6 am to 6 pm. Admission Rs 3; Fridays free.

Shoes must be left outside. The mausoleum is in the east part of the city, near the railway station.
There is an Archaeological Museum in the garden. Open daily except Fri 10 am to 5 pm.

Citadel
Surrounded by a wall, the Citadel used to contain palaces, gardens, and halls of the Adil Shahi kings. Now it is in ruins. The Gagan Mahal (1561) used to be a royal palace and a Durbar Hall. The Sat Manzil is the ruins of Mohammed Adil Shah’s seven-storey palace.

Ibrahim Rauza
Adil Shah II (1580-1626) built this beautiful monument. It has 24m high minarets, nice stone filigree (jali) windows, and beautiful sculptural work. It is the tomb of Adil Shah and his family. Shoes should be left outside.

Across from it is a beautiful well-designed Mosque.

Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque)
The Jama Masjid, 1km southwest of the Gol Gumbaz, has a large hall, elegant arches, and an excellent dome with thirty-three smaller domes surrounding it. Ali Adif Shah I (1557-80) built it. Emperor Aurangzeb built the elaborate entrance gate. Visitors can climb to the roof.

Other Places
Upli Buruj (16th century) is a 24m high watchtower near the west wall of the city. On top of it are huge cannons and a good view.

Malik-e-Maidan (1549) is a gigantic 4m long cannon, weighing fifty-five tons.

Asar Mahal (1646), east of the Citadel, was the Hall of Justice. At one time there were two hairs of the Prophet’s beard here. It has some nice paintings in it. Women are not permitted to enter.

Where to Stay
Hotel Samrat (21620), Station Rd, has clean rooms with bath for Rs 125/160.
Hotel Tourist, Station Rd, in the center of town, has acceptable rooms with bath for Rs 90/130.
Sagar Deluxe (59234), in the town center, has clean, good rooms with bath for Rs 125/175. 24-hour checkout.
Hotel Sanman (21866), Station Rd, near Gol Gumbaz, has rooms with bath for Rs 150/185. 24-hour checkout.
KSTDC Hotel Mayura Adhil Shahi (20943) is the most popular place in town. It has decent rooms with bath for Rs 175/235. It has hot water in the mornings. The rooms are built around a garden courtyard.
Hotel Mayura Adhil Shahi Annex (20401) has four comfortable rooms with bath, a TV, and 24-hour hot water for Rs 650.
Hotel Madhuvan (25572), off Station Rd, has clean, comfortable rooms with bath and TV for Rs 650 and Rs 750 with A/C. The restaurant serves good thalis.
Megharaj, MG Rd, has clean, mid-range rooms. It is a good value.

Where to Eat
Prabhu Cafeteria, Station Rd, next to the Hotel Tourist, has very good, cheap dosas, lassis, and snacks.
Samrat Hotel, Station Rd, has a good vegetarian restaurant.
Mayuran, near the Gol Gumbaz, has good food.
Swapna Lodge Restaurant has good vegetarian food.

Local Travel
The city bus takes only one route—from the railway station to the gate in the west part of town. It costs about Rs 20 by auto-rickshaw to go from the railway station to the center of town.
Bijapur is a nice place to ride a bike around. Bikes can be rented from stands by the bus stand and at the KSTDC Mayura Adil Shahi.

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