More from Bijapur

While Gol Gumbaaz stands out for its sheer size and acoustics, Bijapur also has some other really impressive monuments that tend to get overshadowed because of the uniqueness of Gol Gumbaaz, but which by themselves are also worth seeing.

Ibrahim Rouza

Ibrahim Rouza is the tomb of Adil Shah Ibrahim II, and is known as the Taj of the Deccan. It reminded me of the Spanish Mosque that we have in Hyderabad, one of my favorite structures in Hyd. It's just so neat in proportion and design, that its a treat to the eye.  In fact it is said to have been the inspiration for the Taj.

Uppali Buruz

This was a weird structure and caught attention more for its size and total lack of decoration which was so uncharacteristic of those times. Apparently a watch tower. After Gol Gumbaaz, there was no way I was climbing this one, though it looked fairly straightforward in comparison :)

Afzal Khan's wives cenotaph

Afzal Khan was the General in the Sultans army, and when he was to lead his army into battle against Chatrapati Shivaji, an astrologer had predicted that he would not return. So before he went, he killed all sixty of his wives and these are the tombs of some of his wives. The others have small graves spread over the area where the killing happened. Apparently one of his wives, Khatija Begum ran away to a nearby village, but he chased her there and pushed her into a well. The village is now called Khatijapur 

Fort Wall

Bijapur was an extremely well defended and powerful kingdom of the times. The fort wall ran around the entire city. In fact Adil Shah is the dynasty which is said to have destroyed Hampi of the Vijayanagar Empire.

Baara Khamaan

An intriguing and unfinished structure. There's one story that states that it was planned as a structure to overshadow the Gol Gumbaaz and Adil Shah had his son killed so it wouldn't be completed. 

Gagan Mahal

The ruins of a palace and auditorium of sorts. Story goes that it was built for Rambha, a srilankan dancer, who later became mistress of Adil Shah. It's grandeur can be felt in its sheer size, and it's also very picturesque with a moat running around it and a lake at the back.

Manjunath at the moat

He felt it would take a week to do justice to what Bijapur has to offer, and I tend to agree. There's so much more I didn't see...two days for sure.

                                              Tongas are still commonly used in Bijapur.

The Archeological Survey of India is doing a really good job at Bijapur. All the monuments are well protected with nicely maintained gardens around, and clean.

Manjunath, thanks a ton for taking me around to all these places. Without you, I'd likely have done only Gol Gumbaaz, and maybe even that only from the outside :)