Bijapur (also called as Vijapura in Kannada) was first settled by Chalukya dynasty of Kalyani in 11th century. They called it as Vijayapura, the "City of Victory". Then Bijapur came under Muslim control, first under Allaudin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, and then under the Bahamani kings of Bidar in 13th century.
Bijapur is well known for the great monuments of historical importance built during the Adil Shahi dynasty. Bijapur experienced a great burst of architectural activity under the Adil Shahi dynasty. The Adil Shahis produced over 50 mosques, more than 20 tombs and a number of palaces.
Bijapur in North Karnataka presents a tourist the variety of medieval monuments, which represents Islamic architecture in India. Bijapur is also home to famous temples like Siddeshwara and Shri Prasanna Ganesha.
The history of Bijapur goes back to the early medieval period. Bijapur was called as Vijayapura (the city of victory) between 10th and 11th century when the Chalukyan rulers of South India laid the foundation of Bijapur.
Bijapur came under Muslim influence, first under Allaudin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, captured it and made it a part of his empire towards the end of the 13th century, and then under the Bahamani empire in 1347. Bijapur owes much of its greatness to Yusuf Adil Shah, the founder of the independent state of Bijapur. The rule of this dynasty ended in 1686, when Bijapur was conquered by the Mirza raja Jai Singh of Amber under during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
There are a number of places to visit around Bijapur. The temple town of Aihole (110 Km), Pattadakal (134 Km) and Badami (120 Km) represent Chalukyan architecture at its best. Basavana Bagevadi (43 km) is known for the birthplace of Saint Basaveshwara. There are several important temples here. Kundalasangama (67 Km), is an important pilgrim center and it is associated with the 12th-century poet and social reformer Saint Basaveshwara. Bijapur is famous for its hand woven Ilkal sarees.
