Upli Burj, Vijayapura (Bijapura)

First thing that comes to our mind when we hear burj is the famous Khalifa of Dubai. As you have guessed it is an 80 feet tall tower right in the middle of a busy road in Vijayapura (Bijapura) just 3 kilometers away from Gol Gumbaz.

Probably one in the afternoon was not the best time to see a place like this especially if you are in North Karnataka. Again, one cannot wait only for early morning or evening as that window was quite short. After parking the vehicle we clambered up the circular steps. Have you noticed when the staircase is spiral the climb is tedious. Here however the steps were broad and the distance between each stride is shorter. We counted the steps to be 70.

Standing tall at a height of 80 feet this watch tower was built by Hyder Khan, commander-in-chief of Ibrhim Adil Shah II in 1584. Hence it is also called Hyder burj. The edges of the circular structure was completely stone-fenced, so it is safe for children and acrophobics. Every brick of the tower had been placed into a perfect circle. It was used for military purposes in older times. An old man sitting at a corner said the visibility to a solider stationed here stretched for 50 kilometers. That was hard to believe exaggeration even for an old man, but we were not going to diffuse his irrational theory. Who knows he would have genuinely believed that narration.

There were two imposing cannons, one a little bigger than another. There was a stony platform of circular base and vertical top that separated the cannons. The pillar on the platform holds iron cords that were connected to the hooks of both cannons. We think these were new additions to give balance to these artilleries. One cannon was stationed on stony pulpits while the other on the floor. Both were heavy and massive. 

The tower offers 360-degree angle view of the Vijayapura (Bijapura) town. We spotted Gol Gumaz among others faintly. Though it was blazing sunny, wind was roaring with gust. The walls are strongest standing tall for hundreds of years. If the stones could whisper we get to hear tales of life of bygone era. 

Tips

Best Season: June to February

Best Time: Early morning/evening

Entry: Free

Visitor's Time: 8 am to 5 pm

Nearby Attractions: Ibrahim Rouza, Gol Gumbaz, Bara Kaman, Malik-E-Maidan

Attire and Accessories: Cotton clothes, comfortable shoes, umbrella/cap, sunshades, sunscreen, water bottles

Jama Mosque, Vijayapura (Bijapura)

“Whoever prays shall find peace”-Lailah Gifty Akita

This is the second monument we have come across in Vijayapura (Bijapura) commemorated in honour of the victory over Vijaynagara in Battle of Talikote in 1564; the first one was Malik-E-Maidan Burj. It was commissioned by Ali Adil Shah I in the year 1578; however, it is said mosque was never completed because of lack of two minarets on the eastern entrance. Also being called as Jamia and Jumma, this one is one of the largest mosques in South India. 

Since it was Saturday the mosque was rather quiet, devoid of any crowd. The central Mihrab was bedecked with gold. The engraving was in Persian essentially of Quran verses. In 1676, these inscriptions were completed by Malik Yakut who was appointed by Sultan Muhammad Adil Shah. When mosque was built by Ali Adil Shah I, it was devoid of any glitter and pomp as he followed Shiite sector.  But, his grandson Muhammad Adil Shah, a practicing Sunni and it was at his time the mosque saw major upliftment in terms of design.

The courtyard is of square-shaped, while three sides consisting of seven arches each. The semi-circular dome rises above the Mihrab with crescent moon for a crown. The arches intersect at the top to form an octagonal cornice for supporting the base of the dome. The columns and ceilings were adorned with simple yet elegant designs. Usually we see carpets or prayer mats spread across the floor in most of the mosques. Here, the flooring is bare with elongated tiles.

This congregational architecture was on built on 1,16,300 square feet allowing around 2500 devotees to pray at a time. An arch was added to the entrance by Aurangzeb when he conquered Bijapura for a brief period.

We rested in the verandah taking in all the beauty of this architecture. We pondered over the religion, mankind, civilization, belief, and philosophy. We are not the ideal believers, but know how to keep our blessings and good fortune close to heart and count them too.

"Put no trust in life; it is short"

Tips

Best Season: Any

Visitors' Time: Avoid Friday and prayer time

Entry: Free

Nearby Attractions: Ibrahim Rouza, Gol Gumbaz, Navarasa Mahal, Bara Kaman, Saat Kabar, Malik-E-Maidan, Upli Burj