Looking for inspiration to build a masoleum for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan is said to have been inspired by our own Karnataka’s Bijapur based 17th century monumental structure of Ibrahim Adil Shah’s II (1580-1627) structure called – ‘Ibrahim Rouza’, today.
Ibrahim Rouza is a India Government protected heritage structure on the outskirts (9 kms) of Bijapur designed by the famous Persian Architect Malik Sandal. It’s gratifying to notice that there are architectural colleges apart from medical teaching establishmens in this ill kept heritage city. This city lacks basic ammenities and is surrounded by filth. The hotel staying facilities are basic and is advisable to stay in surrounding areas of Golgumbaz. Food is basically South Indian. Sightseeing is basically half a day. Bijapur called today was known as Vijayapura.
Chalukyas ruled this region in the 10th & 11th century. 13th century Islamic rulers, the Khilji Dynasty annexed and occupied this region and called it Bijapur. In the 16th Century, the Bhamani Sultans occupied this land and the Adil Shahs clan ruled this province. Later the Mugals of North India ruled this land giving way to the British East India Co. Finally India got this land on it’s Independence 15, August 1947.
Ibrahim Rouza is a structure of a mosque and tomb facing each other. These graceful 24 mts. high minarets at every corner of the structure alongside with domes accentuates the aesthetics of buildings which are set in vast well manicured gardens. Beautiful stone filigree work, magnificent arched doorway are a beautiful sight to be noticed here. It’s a beautiful example of India’s Deccan Indo Muslim architecture of the times! The tombs are of the King, his Queen Taj Sultana, his mother Haji Badi Sahhiba his daughter and two sons. The mosque is rectangular supported by five arches.
These structures are on a raised platform. Ibrahim Rouza is built on a solid single bedrock, the foundation is rock solid and steady. Adil Shah II built this monument as a tribute to his wife Taj Sultana but died before her. The Queen honoured him by burying him and it finally became a family tombstone mausoleum.
Fergusson the famous historian lauds in appreciation the buildings and the architecture of Bahamini kings of Deccan Sulthanate. Adil Shah II is well known and respected for his biggest mosque of Bijapur with golden Koran on display – more about this in my next article! Adil Shah II was known for his religious tolerance like Mugal King Akbar, he even had a Hindu temple in his palace.
The edifice is open to public of all faiths with a small entry fee from 6 am to 6 pm. Footwear not allowed, there’s a caretaker at the entrance to look after them. Photography allowed. Go early to get good photos with no tourists lurking around spoiling your beautiful photos. Hiring a horse driven cart – tonga is romantic. . . But, hiring a cab or auto saves time for sightseeing at Bijapur.
Bijapur is 530 kms from Bangalore and not worth the day’s drive unless you are putting Hampi, Badami, Aihole & Patadakal on your tourist map taking 5 days of your time. If Bijapur or Vijayapura is your only destination take a train or overnight bus.
More about this region in my future articles.
-Jagdeesh Laxman Singh
aka Jugie Singh
Text & Photography
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