Bijapur History- Mughal Influence shaped this city's past

Bijapur (Vijapura), the historic city, was founded during the reign of the Chalukyan Dynasty of Kalyani between 10th and 11th Centuries. Bijapur (Vijapura) is derived from 'Vijayapura' or the city of Victory. 

First Influence of the Mughals

The region came under Muslim influence, first under Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, towards the end of the 13th Century and then under the Bahamani Kings of Bidar in  1347.   

The Bahamani Sultans take over

History says that in 1481, Mohammed III, one of the Bahamani Sultans, appointed Yusuf Adil Khan as the Governor of the Bijapur (Vijapura).  Yusuf Adil Khan was one of the sons of Sultan Mohammed II of Turkey.  He fled his country on the death of his father to escape being killed in the battle for the succession to the throne.

Adil Shahi Dynasty established

He was bought as a slave by Mohammed Gavan, the Prime Minister of Mohammed III. With the decline of the Bahamani power at Bidar, Yusuf Adil Khan turned into an independent ruler in 1489 and thus became the founder of the Adil Shahi Dynasty which survived as the Kingdom till its seizure by Aurangazeb (Mogul ruler of Delhi) in 1686.

Great Monuments are Built

The walled city of Bijapur (Vijapura) experienced a great burst of architectural activity under the Adil Shahi Dynasty. The Adil Shahi encouraged building activity to such an extent that Bijapur (Vijapura) itself has over 50 mosques, more than 20 tombs and a number of palaces. A large number of Indian artisans were employed to build these monuments.  Earlier, Muslim rulers of the Deccan deployed Persian craftsmen and architects.

(photo showing Ibrahim Adil Shah II)

You can now recall all of Bijapur's past by going on a virtual tour of Bijapur's tourist attractions.

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