Bijapur is now a modern city in Bijapur district in Karnataka. It is also a medieval city witnessed many Muslim Dynasties in South India. Bijapur is a place for excursion also. Some of the popular tourist destinations near Bijapur are Aihole, Basavana Bagevadi, Alamatti Dam, Badami, Gulbarga, Bidar, Mysore and Bengaluru.
Location of Bijapur
Bijapur is located 530 km West of Bengaluru. It was once the centre of the Bahamani Dynasty and later the capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur. Bijapur is dotted with many sculptural evidences in medieval era. Bijapur or Vijayapura is located at 16.83 degrees north and 75.7 degrees east at an elevation of 1988 feet.
History of Bijapur
Bijapur was established in 10th or 11th century by the Chalukyas of Kalyani. The name Bijapur is a derivative of the name `Vijaypura `or city of victory as it was originally called. Bijapur from the early era observed the rise and fall of Yadavas of Devagiri, Khalji dynasty in the 13th Century, the Bahmani Sultanate, Mughal dynasty, Nizams of Hyderabad, the Maratha Empire and the British East India Company. After Independence of India in 1947, it was briefly a part of Mumbai (Bombay Presidency) before being added to the state of Karnataka in 1956. Bijapur reached its greatest heights under the rulers of the Adil Shahi Dynasty of Bijapur, particularly, Yusuf Adil Shah, the founder of the independent state of Bijapur.
Geography of Bijapur
Bijapur lies at the central part of Deccan Plateau region with the latitudinal limit of 16.83 degree North to 75.7 degree East. The summers are usually dry as well. The monsoon ushers in generally in the month of June and stays till October. The average annual rainfall received is 552.8 mm. 
Demography of Bijapur
The urban area of Bijapur has more than 3 lakh population. It was counted according to the Population Census 2011. The urban and rural population of the entire Bijapur district is more than 21 lakhs. The average literacy rate is 84 percent.
Education in Bijapur
Bijapur is known for its high literacy rate. This fact is apparent from the host of educational institutes that are scattered in the city of Bijapur. Besides the usual schools and colleges, there are engineering colleges and medical colleges. There are a number of Ayurvedic and Allopathic medical colleges here. Besides these an educational institute for Unani medicine is also to be found here.
Tourism in Bijapur
Bijapur offers a number of places of tourist attractions. Some of the tourist attractions here are the Gol Gumbaz, the tomb of the ruler Mohammad Adil Shah; Asar Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Anand Mahal, Saat Manzli, Jhanjiri Masjid, Andu Mosque, Mecca Masjid, Ibrahim Rauza, King Edward VII Memorial, Malik-e-Maidan, Upli Buruj, Chand Bawdi, Saat Kabar, Jami Masjid, Jod Gumbaz, Jala Manzil, Landa Kasab Gun, Mehatar Mahal, Landa Kasab, Hathi Khana and Chini Mahal. The ruins of the ancient fort here, built by the Adil Shahis, are also a sight to behold here.
Visiting Information
Bijapur is connected with roadways, railways and airways. The nearest airport is Belgaum (205 kms). Bijapur is connected by rail to Bengaluru, Mumbai, (via Sholapur), Sholapur (via Gadag) and Vasco da Gama(via Hubli and Londa). The buses of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation ply from Bijapur to Badami, Bengaluru, Belgaum District, Hubli and Sholapur. Bijapur is connected by road to- Aihole (129 kms), Mumbai (486 kms), Badami(132 kms), Hampi (254 kms), Bengaluru (81 kms), Pattadakal (148 kms) and Belgaum (205 kms).
