Water system
The Adil Shahi Sultans made an elaborate arrangement of pure and wholesome water for the people of Bijapur and its suburbs. At Torvi a masonry dam was constructed. We find another dam in its far eastern side. These two dams fed the reservoirs of Torvi and Afzalpur. Through these works water was supplied to the suburbs of Shahpur, and the capital. Historian C. Schweitzer is of the opinion that the Torvi aqueduct is in itself a very credible engineering achievement of Adil Shahis.[8] To augment the existing water supply in the cityMohammed Adil Shah constructed Jahan Begum Lake (Begum Talab) in the south of Bijapur. This Lake fed the southern and eastern sides of the city. Thus water reached every comer of the capital. In addition, to supplement the water needs of the people in and around, the Sultans and nobles constructed big and small wells. Captain Sykes who visited Bijapur in 1819 reports, there were 700 wells (Boudis) with steps and 300 wells (Kuans or small wells) without steps within the walls of Bijapur. Moreover, we find the remains of tanks and lakes named Rangrez Talab, Quasim Talab, Fatehpur Talab and Allahpur Talab in the vicinity of Bijapur.[9]
Begum Talab, which is 234-acre (0.95 km2) tank was constructed in 1651 by Mohammad Adil Shah in memory of Jahan Begum. This tank was used for ensuring drinking water supply to the city. To the right side of lake there is an underground room from where water was supplied to city in earthen pipes. The pipes laid to depth of 15 feet (4.6 m) to 50 feet (15 m) were joined and cased in masonry. Many towers of height 25 feet (7.6 m) to 40 feet (12 m) called as "gunj" were built to release pressure of water and prevent pipes from bursting all along. These towers allowed dirt in pipe to remain at the bottom and clear water to flow.
[edit]Bazaars and Petes
Bijapur being the capital and big business centre attracted merchants and travelers in large number from the Deccan and many parts ofIndia and foreign lands. Abdal, a court poet in his Ibrahim Namah writes,
| " | (at the markets of Bijapur) the wealthy merchants of different countries sat in every direction (with their costly items).. In Bijapur the merchants could stay in the Sarais (inns) attached to the mosques or other public buildings. Such Sarais are found at Taj Boudi, Sandal Masjid, Bukhari Masjid, Ballad Khan Masjid etc. Nawab Mustafa Khan, a celebrated noble of Mohammed Adil Shah built a big Sarai in the west of Bijapur, which is now used as the District Jail. | " |
[10]
The following market places were established respectively by the Adil Shahi Sultans in and around Bijapur. Yusuf Adil Shah: Markovi Bazar, Thana Bazar, Naghthana Bazar, Daulat Bazar, Dahan Khan Bazar, Markur Bazar, Murad Khan Bazar, Palah Bazar, Mubarak Bazar and. Shahpeth (old) Bazar. Ismail Adil Shah: Kamal Khan Bazar, NakaBazar and Bare-Khudavand Bazar. Ibrahim Adil Shah I: Jagate Bazar, Roa Bazar, Sher Karkhana Bazar, Rangeen Masjid Bazar, Fateh Zaman Bazar, Karanzah Bazar, Sara Bazar, and ShikarKhan Bazar Ali Adil Shah I: Jumma Masjid Bazar, SikandarBazar, FarhadKhan Bazar, Dilir Khan Bazar and Haidar Bazar.Mohammed Adil Shah: Padshahpur Bazar. Ali Adil Shah II: Shahpeth (new) Bazar. Others: Ikhlas Khan Bazar, Yusuf Rumi Khan Bazar, Shah Abu Turab Bazar, Abdur Razzaq Bazar, Langar Bazar, Mahmood Shah Bazar, etc.[5] We foud suburban markets called the Peths in the vicinity of Bijapur. They are as follows: Habibpur Peth, Salabatpur Beth, Tahwarpur Peth, Zohrapur Peth, Afzalpur Peth (Takiyah), Shahpur or Khudanpur or Khudawandpur Peth, Danatpur Peth, Sikandarpur Peth, Quadhpur Peth, Khwaspur Peth, Imampur Peth, Kumutagi Peth etc.
[edit]Foreign Accounts
From different parts of world many envoys, merchants, travelers etc. visited Bijapur in its heyday of magnanimity and grandeur, and they left behind their valuable accounts of past grandiosities of Bijapur. In 1013 corresponding to (1604–1605) the Mughal Emperor Akbar, commissioner Mirza Asad Baig, one of grandees of his court to Bijapur for diplomatic dealings. He was a person who saw Agra andDelhi in their glorious days. He wrote his account called, "Haalat-e-Asad Baig or Wakiat-e-Asad Baig".[11] From his account we shall be able to form some idea of the position which Bijapur occupied among the wonder cities of India in the Medieval Ages. He cites in his impression of the city; the grandeurs of the Adil Shahi court and its customs in the following striking words:
| " | On 17th of Shaaban I marched forward with attendants that were with me to meet Adil Khan (Ibrahim Adil Shah II), and was introduced to him in a building upon that lake Gagan Mahal at Bijapur appointed for such ceremonies. It was a very pleasant spot appropriately furnished. In two or three houses the rooms were in a perfect tip-top condition, and after prayer on that day Adil Khan came, wish all pomp and circumstances, followed by a retinue of elephants... that palace, which they called ''Hajjah'' (?) All around the gate of my residence were lofty buildings with houses and porticoes; the situation was very healthy and airy. It lies in open space in the city. Its northern portico is to the east of a ''Bazaar'' of a great extent, as much as thirty yards wide and about two Kos long. Before each shop was a beautiful green tree, and the whole ''Bazaar'' was extremely clean and pure. It was filled with rare goods, such as are not seen or heard of in any other town. There were shops of cloths sellers, jewelers, armourers, vintners, fish-mongers, and cooks... in the jeweler's shops were jewels of all sorts, wrought into variety. of articles, such as daggers, knives, mirrors, necklaces, and ''laso'' into the form of birds, such as parrots, doves and peacocks, etc. all studded with valuable jewels, and arranged upon shelves, rising one above the other. By the side of this shop will be a baker's with rare viands, placed in the same manner, upon tiers of shelves in like manner. Then a clothier's, then a spirit merchant's with various sorts of China vessels, valuable crystal bottles, costly cups, filled with choice and rare essence, arrayed on shelves, while in the front of the shop were jars of double-distilled spirits. Besides that shop will be a fruiter's, filled with all kinds of fruits and sweetmeats, such as pistachios nuts, and relishes, and sugar-candy and almonds. On another side may be a wine merchant's shop, and an establishment of singers, dancers and beautiful women adorned with various kinds of jewels, and fair-faced choristers, all ready to perform whatever may be desired of them. In short, the whole ''Bazaar'' was filled with wine and beauty, dances, perfumes, jewels, of all sorts, plates, and viands. In one street were a thousand bands of people drinking, and dancers, lovers, and pleasure-seekers assembled; none quarreled or disputed with one another and this state of things was perpetual. Perhaps no place in the wide world could present a more wonderful spectacle to the eye of the traveler... (for Emperor Akbar) I purchased for Rs.25900 emeralds, ''pokhraj'', ''Nilam'' and birds made of jewels. I purchased the diamond and ''Dugdugi'' for Rs.55000 and agreed to pay the price after Mir Jamaluddin approves. | " |
[11]
Mirza Asad Baig left Bijapur on 24 January 1604. His graphic account of Bijapur tells us how this city was prosperous, rich and flourishing.[11] Another traveler Manctelslo, who visited the Deccan in 1638 writes,
| " | Bijapur was one of the greatest cities in the whole of Asia, more than five ''leagues'' (i.e., fifteen miles) the city had five great suburbs where most of the traders lived and in Scyanpur (Shahpur) were most of the jewelers dealing in costly pearls. | " |
Similarly, Jean Baptiste Tavernier, who visited India between 1631 and 1667, was a jeweler, probably he had been to Bijapur for selling some of his jewels. He has left for us an account, in which he describes Bijapur was a great city... in its large suburbs many goldsmiths and jewelers dwelt... the king's palace (Arkillah or citadel) was vast, but ill-built and the access to it was very dangerous as the ditch with which it was girt was full of crocodiles,. in the same way, the Dutch traveler, Baldeous, the English geographer, Ogilby and others praise the greatness of Bijapur.
[edit]Gardens and Water Pavilions
The Adil Shahi Sultans were fond of gardens, water pavilions and resorts; hence they beautified Bijapur by presence of such amusing spots. Rafiuddin Shirazi writes in his ''"Tazkiratul-Mulk"'' that during the rule of Ibrahim Adil Shah I a garden 60 yards long and 60 yards broad, was laid within the outer ''Hissar'' (i.e., Arbah) and another 20 yards long and 20 yards broad, within the inner one (i.e., Arkilla Wall or citadel) was constructed. In the reign of Ali Adil Shah I, many trees of fruits viz. odoriferous orange, date, grapes, pomegranate, figs, apple. ''Naar'' (quince-like fruit), etc. brought from the countries of hot and cold climates were set in gardens.[12] From different historical sources we get references of gardens like Kishwar Khan Bagh, Ali Bagh, Dou-az-Deh (twelve) Imam Bagh, Alavi Bagh, Arkillah Bagh, Nauroz Bagh, Ibrahim Bagh, Murari Bagh, Naginah Bagh, etc. in Bijapur.[12] In southern side in the capital, a renowned Adil Shahi noble, Mubarak Khan constructed water pavilions and resort. Likewise, at Kumatagi village, about 12 miles in the east of Bijapur, the Sultans laid the water pavilions and resort for royal members.
[edit]
Education and Learning
Before the Muslims could establish their rule in Bijapur, it was a great centre of learning in South India. It is evident from the bilingualMarathi-Sanskrit inscription, which is inscribed just under the Persian epigraph in the Karimuddin mosque 16 that the city of Bijapur is given the title of ''"Banaras of the South"''. Since ancient time Banaras in northern India was a celehrated centre of learning. The Khaijigovernor of Bijapur, Malik Karimuddin, probably found at this place the great activities of learning; hence he entitled Bijapur as theBanaras of the South. The Khiljis conquered whole south India and they were well acquainted with its famous cities like Daulatabad ofYadavas, Warangal of Kakatiyas, Dwarasamudra of Hoyasalas and Madurai of Pandyas. However, they did not entitle any of these cities as the Banaras of the South, except Bijapur, though these cities were the capitals of ruling dynasties.[13] During the rule ofBahmanis Bijapur retained its academic excellence. The renowned learned Sufi of India, Hazrat Ainuddin Ganjuloom Junnaidi, who authored 125 works of Qur'anic commentaries, Quirat (art of Quranic recitation), Hadith (prophetic Traditions), Scholasticism, Principles of Law, Fique (Islamic Law), Suluk (behavior). Syntax, Lexicography, Ansaab (genealogy). History, Tibb (medicine), Hilmat, Sanf (grammaIj), Quasidah, etc. lived in from 1371, till his death in 1390. His disciple and other Sufis like Hazrat Ibrahim Sangani and his sons, Hazrat Abdullah AI-Ghazani, Hazrat Ziauddin Ghazanavi and Hazrat Shah Hamzah Hussaini kept their noble litterateur's traditions alive in Bijapur.[13] Under the aegis of Adil Shahis of Bijapur advanced very much in the field of learning. It was considered as the 'Second Baghdad' in scholastic activities in the Islamic World. Owing to its popularity in this sphere Ibrahim Adil Shah II named it ''"Vidhyapur"'' All Sultans of Bijapur were men of letters. Ali Adil Shah I was well versed in religion, logic, sciences, syntax, etymology and grammar. He was fond of reading to the extent that he kept with him big boxes of books, while on tour. All Sultans patronized the teachers and scholars. It was routine in the capital that the scholars met at different places, and among them learned discussions were held.[13] At the capital the Royal Library was existed in which nearly sixty men, calligraphers, gilders of books, book binders and illuminators were busy doing their work whole day in the library.[14] Sesh Waman Pandit was the Royal Librarian. Ibrahim-II's court poet Baqir Khurd-e-Kasm worked as transcriber in the Royal Library.[15] The noted scholars in the capital were Shah Nawaz Khan, Abdul Rasheed-al-Bastagi, Shah Sibagatullah Hussaini, Shaikh Alimullah Muhaddis (a teacher of Sayings or Traditions of Prophet Mohummad, and Theology in Jumma mosque), Mullan Hassan Faraghi, MullanHabibullah, Shah Mohummad Mulki and Shah Habibullah Hussaini.[13] Shah Zayn Muqbil, a great lover of learning and books, had eight hundred manuscripts in his library, out of these over three hundred were written by him. Miran Mohummad Mudarris Hussaini was also a great teacher.[16] At the Asar Mahal there were two Madrasas (religious schools), one for teaching Hadith (Tradition) and another for Fiqah and Imaan (Theology and Belief). Free education with delicious food, and stipend of one Hun to each student was provided. The Mosques had the Maktabs (elementary schools) whereArabic and Persian studies were taught. The state supplied books free of costs. The students who performed excellently in the annual examination, received prizes in Huns, and later appointed in high and honorable position. Besides these, most of the Sufis maintained their own Khankhas (convents for disciples) and Kutub Khanas (libraries). Even to this day some of the descendents of Sufis in perpetuity continued this tradition.[13] In consequence of state patronage, a bulk of literature in Arabic, Persian and Dakhani Urdu had come up. In addition, the languages like Sanskrit, Marathi and Kannada flourished. Pandit Narhari, a court poet of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, composed the poetic excellence on his master, called, 'Nauras Manzarf'. Shri Laxmipathi, a desciple of Pandit Rukmangada composed a number of Marathi and Hindi devotional songs set in musical Ragas. Swamy Yadvendra was also a prominent contributor in Marathi literature. In the south of kingdom, the official transaction was carried out in Kannada.
[edit]Medical Aids and Darush-Shafa (Hospitals)
Dr. Zaman Khodaey says, in the kingdom of Bijapur the medical aids and Darush-Shafa were existed. In the hospitals the different Departments dealt and treated different fevers, eye and ear problems, skin and other diseases. We have references that in the kingdom the physicians practiced the Unani, Ayurvedic, Irani and European systems of medicine. Hakim Gilani and Farnalope Firangi, a European physician and surgeon worked under Ibrahim Adil Shah II. Farnalope treated his ailing patron wrongly, which caused Sultan's death. Khawas Khan caught him, and as a punishment his nose and lips were cut off. Nothing daunted, Fanalope returned to his home and cut off the nose and lips of one of his slaves, and so fastened the same to his own that he was soon cured even of scars. He lived long in Bijapur and resumed his practice with great success. Aithippa, an Ayurvedic physician, who was attached to a dispensary at Bijapur compiled for his son Champa, Tibb-e-Bahri-o-Barri, a treatise on medicine. It contains a short vocabulary of some parts of the human body and some drugs with their equivalent in Arabic and Hindi. It further contains hints as to the examination of patients and symptoms and treatment of diseases. He had spent a long time attending upon and getting instruction from Hakim Mohummad Hussain Unani and Hakim Mohammad Masum Isfahani.[17] The great historian Firishta was an expert Ayurvedic physician. He studied this system under Hakim-e-Misri and other Hindu physicians. After attaining proficiency, he started his own dispensary and prepared patent drugs and popular medicines. He possessed a great knowledge of Sanskrit, hence studied thoroughly works of Ayurveda like the Samhitas of Wagbhat, Charak and Sushrut, and wrote Dastur-e- Attibba or Iktiyarat-e-Qasmi. In this book he mentioned the names of famous Ayurvedic physicians like Jagdeva, Sagarbhat and Sawa Pandit. He cites in the names of various diseases, herbs and drugs and also discusses simple and compound medicines and formulae of their preparation. The book is fairly comprehensive as its scope extends to Anatomy, Physiology and Therapy. It seems Firishta was an expert in Botany as well. He gave details of minutes regarding characteristics of medicinal herbs, plants and fruits of India.[18] Another physician Hakim Rukna-e-Maish skilled in medicine stayed in the court of Ibrahim Adil Shah II for some time before he joined the Mughals.[19] At the instance of the same Sultan; Yunus Beg completed Kitab-e-TIbb, a work on medicine. The court poet of Mohammed Adil Shah, Hakim Aatishi possessed a unique skill in medicine and served as the Royal Physician. He was a personal physician of the Sultan, without his permission he could not attend other patients. With permission once he cured Khan-e-Khanan Ikhlas Khan. Aatishi took this onerous duty only when other physicians altogether failed. By his miraculous treatment patients recovered within three weeks. Thus the Adil Shahi Sultans and the nobles never overlooked the medical services and always encouraged the physicians giving them handsome rewards. It because of such encouragement some of the physicians produced literature on medicine.
[edit]Abode of Music
The Adil Shahi monarchs were great lovers of music; some of them attained high order. Yusuf Adil Shah played ''Tambur'' (tambourine) and ''Ud'' (lute). Ismail Adil Shah had high admiration for Central Asian music. Music received greater encouragement under Ibrahim Adil Shah II. He was the greatest musician of his age. He was poet and singer and maintained an inordinately a large number of musicians and minstrels (three or four thousand) at his court. The band of musicians was known as Lashkar-e-Nauras (army of Nauras) they were paid by the government regularly. At Nauraspur he constructed Sangeet Mahal and residential mansions for songsters, minstrels and dancing girls. With great pomp the festival of Nauras (musical concert) was celebrated during his time. In a number of paintings Ibrahim Adil Shah II was depicted playing musical instruments like ''Tambur'', ''Sitar'', ''Veena'' and ''Guitar''. Emperor Jahangir, and Mirza Asad Baig the Mughal envoy considerably praised Ibrahim Adil Shah II's love for music.[20] Mirza Asad Baig writes in his ''Wakiyat'' that he was invited to the royal palace to bid farewell to Ibrahim Adil Shah II
| " | a grand show of music had been arranged for this occasion. He found the Sultan so wrapped up in listening to the music that he could hardly reply to Asad Baig's questions. The conversation between them for some time mainly concerned music and musicians. The Sultan wanted to know whether Emperor Akbar was fond of music and Asad Baig informed him that the Emperor did sometime listen to music. The Sultan then wanted to know whether Tansenstood or sat while singing before the Emperor and was told that in the Darbar or during day time Tansen had to stand while singing, but at night and on the occasion of Nauroz and Jashan festival Tansen and other musicians were permitted to sit while singing. The Sultan told Asad Baig, "Music is such that it should be heard at all times and always, and musicians should be kept happy. | " |
[edit]Unprecedented Art and Architecture
The Adil Shahi Sultans had concentrated their energies almost exclusively on architecture and the allied arts, each Sultan endeavoring to excel his predecessor in the number, size, or splendor of his building projects. The architecture of Bijapur is a combination ofPersian, Ottoman Turkish and Deccani styles. It is amazing to note mat in Ibrahim Rouzah, Dilkusha Mahal (Mahatar Mahal), Malikah-e-Jahan Mosque, Jal Mahal, etc. the Bijapur sculptors have carved beautiful designs in stones, as the carpenters do in wood. Thestucco plaster designing in some monuments is superb.[21]
[edit]Adil Shahi arts and heritage
The contribution of the Adil Shahi kings to the architecture, painting, language, literature and music of Karnataka is unique. Bijapur (Kannada form of the Sanskrit Vidyapur or Vidyanagari) became a cosmopolitan city, and it attracted many scholars, artists, musicians, and Sufi saints from Turkey, Persia (Iran) Iraq, Turkey, Turkestan, etc.
The unfinished Jami Masjid, started in 1565, has an arcaded prayer hall with fine aisles supported on massive piers has an impressive dome. The Ibrahim Rouza which contains the tomb of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, is a fine structure with delicate carvings. Persian artists of Adil Shahi court have left a rare treasure of miniature paintings, some of which are well-preserved in Europe's great museums.
The Dakhani language, an amalgam of Persian-Arabic, Gujarati, Marathi, and Kannada, developed into an independent spoken and literary language. Under the Adil Shahis many literary works were published in Dakhani. Ibrahim Adil Shah II's book of poems and music, Kitab-e-Navras is in Dakhani. The Mushaira (poetic symposium) was born in the Bijapur court and later traveled north. The Dakhani language, which was growing under the Bahamani kings, later came to be known as Dakhan Urdu to distinguish it from theNorth Indian Urdu. Adil Shah II played the sitar and ud and Ismail was a composer.
[edit]Adil Shahis of Bijapur
- Yusuf Adil Shah (1490–1510)
- Ismail Adil Shah (1510–1534)
- Mallu Adil Shah (1534)
- Ibrahim Adil Shah I (1534–1558)
- Ali Adil Shah I (1558–1580)
- Ibrahim Adil Shah II (1580–1627)
- Mohammed Adil Shah (1627–1657); his mausoleum is the Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur
- Ali Adil Shah II (1657–1672)
- Sikandar Adil Shah (1672–1686)
[edit]Asar Mahal
Mohammed Kasim Farishta has written that in year 1008 hijri Mr. Meer Mohammed Swaleh Hamdani Came to Bijapur.He had some hair "Moo-e-Mubarrak" of Muhammad. Sultan Ibrahim Adil shah heard about him and he became very happy. He met Meer Swaleh Hamdani. He saw these "Moo-e-Mubarrak" and gave priceless gifts to Meer Sahab. Meer Sahab also became very happy and gave two "Moo-e-Mubarak" to Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah. Earlier these "Moo-e-Mubarak" were kept in Gagan Mahal. But in the period of Sultan Mohammed Adil Shah suddenly there was a huge fire in Gagan Mahal. Everything burnt up, except these two boxes in which "Moo-e-Mubarak" were kept. Then one fellow named Ali khan entered and brought that box on his head. Then Sultan kept these boxes in Asar Mahal.
It is said that in the year 1142 hijri Sultan Mohammed Adil Shah used to see these "Moo-e-Mubark" on and off. Once it happened he requested all the sufie's of that time to come and see these "Moo-e-Mubarak" and have good fortune. So Hazrat Hashim Husaini Al Aloomi & Hazrat Shah Murtuza Quadri came there and asked to open that box. So as per the Sultan's order the box was opened in front of so many noble persons. But as it was opened a bright ray was everywhere. Nobody could bear the brightness of the ray and they all became unconscious. Everywhere there was a perfume. Then Sultan and everybody had a privilege of seeing "Moo-e-mubarak". After that period it is said that that boxes neither opened nor had a privilege and sultan give precious Asar-e-Shariff's command to Noor Mohammed Mushrif since then Mushrif Family is doing Asar urs.[citation needed]
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