Bijapur
The ancient city of Bijapur is located 530 kilometres to the north-west of Bangalore, India.
Bijapur was the capital of the Adil Shahi kings (1489-1686), one of the five splinter states, known as the Deccan sultanates, formed when the Muslim Bahmani Sultanate broke up after 1518. Bijapur was conquered by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1686. Bijapur is still strongly Muslim in character and it has many important monuments and historical ruins.
Bijapur's greatest attractions are architectural, especially Islamic architecture. Minarets, domes and echoing burial chambers all conjure up images of the Arabian Nights. Gol Gumbaz is an important attraction in Bijapur.
Bijapur is close to Belgaum, the gateway to Karnataka from Goa and Bombay. The city has many places of historical, cultural and architectural importance.
Pattadakal, a seventh and eighth century complex of Hindu temples, built by the Chalukya kings, is in Bijapur District.
