What would be your reaction when you hear a story where son was murdered by his own father? Horrified right? A father who couldn't digest the success of his son. The son we are talking about is Ali Adil Shah II of Adil Shahi empire of Bijapura. This blood and gore story is meatier than the Game of Thrones. In that nobody killed their children except for Stannis Baratheon. We would like to burst the bubble here. According to records Ali Adil Shah succeeded the throne in November 4, 1656 after the death of his father Mohammed Adil Shah from prolonged illness. And Ali's death was noted to be in November 24, 1672, probably 12 years after his father's death.
The story was narrated to us by the guard turned guide at the Bara Kaman.
Bara Kaman is an incomplete mausoleum of Ali Adil Sha, his wife, and daughters. The idea was to built the Bara Kaman with 12 arches vertically and horizontally, hence the name. It is said once completed the the glorious structure's shadow would have fallen on the Gol Gumaz, dimming its eminence. Rumor has it that is what father didn't want his son to achieve.
At present the monument has only twelve arches placed horizontally and a few pillar, but no domes. Some say Malik Sandal is the architect of this unfinished structure who is said to be the designer of Ibrahim Rouza. However there are no documents to support the claim. The structure has elevated walls in coaxial arches. When arches were raised only the outermost arches stood the ground tumbling the inner arches. It is said iron rings were used to hold the stones together instead of cement.
Even though there is no historical evidence to support the above-mentioned story it is relegated to everyone nonetheless. We like to believe the story because well, we like stories. And also we had visited Saat Kabar just a day before.
Info: Delhi sultanate wanted to annex Bijapur to his empire. To appease his notorious son Aurangazeb, Emperor Shah Jahan ordered the invasion. It was an unlawful move as Bijapur was not a vassal state of Mughals, but independent and equal ally of the Mughal empire. Ali battled relentlessly both Mughals and the Marathas all through his 16 years tenure. Ali is said to be the great patronages of Persian and Deccani literature and fine arts.
So our theory for incomplete Bara Kaman could be financial restrain due to ongoing battles with Marathas and Mughals as well as fighting off the inner politics. We just imagined how majestic and beautiful the Bara Kaman would be if it was completed. Sitting there quietly we wondered what Ali's soul would react every time the intriguing story was told to onlookers? Is is true or not? Like a movie climax it is left to audiences' intelligence.
Our guide suggested that we should visit Shivagiri to get wonderful glimpse of Lord Shiva's statue at dusk.
Tips:
Best Time: July-February
Route: Bangalore-Tumkur-Chitradurga-Davangere-Haveri-Hubballi-Bagalkot-Vijayapura
Total Distance: 606 KM
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 06:00 A.M.-06:00 P.M.
-Railway station linked to Bangalore, Hyderabad, and other major cities
-Bijapur is well connected with other cities by bus
-Though we would not advise you can club Bijapur with Badami (Agasthya Tirtha; Cave temple 1; Cave temple 2; Cave temple 3)-Aihole-Pattadakal if time is at premium
-Must see places in Vijayapura (Bijapur) apart from Gol Gumbaz and Ibrahim Rouza
-Local rickshaws are mode of transport, however, you need to negotiate the prices hard and smart before you could hire one as rickshaws have no meter
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