Bara Kaman, Bijapur - Timings, History, Architecture, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 3 km from Bijapur Railway Station, Bara Kaman is an unfinished mausoleum in Bijapur city of Karnataka. It is one of the most visited tourist places in Vijayapura.

The Bara Kaman was commissioned by Ali Adil Shah II in 1672 AD, intended to serve as the burial site for the king and his wives. The king aspired to create a mausoleum of unparalleled architectural excellence, surpassing the grandeur of the Gol Gumbaz. The design included twelve arches arranged both vertically and horizontally around the mausoleum dedicated to Ali Adil Shah and his spouses. However, for unknown reasons, the construction was left unfinished, with only two arches completed vertically.

The structure, designed by Malik Sandal, is a substantial square edifice, lacking a roof and featuring incomplete arches made of dark basalt. Although envisioned on a grand scale, it was never destined for completion. The platform on which the arches stand rises 20 feet high, covering an area of 215 feet square, in contrast to the Gol Gumbaz, which measures 158 feet square. It is rumored that construction was halted due to concerns that the completed mausoleum's shadow would fall upon the Gol Gumbaz.

At the center, on an elevated platform, lie the tombstones of Ali Adil Shah II, his wife Chand Bibi, his mistresses and his daughters. Initially referred to as Ali Roza, the name was later altered to Bara Kaman by Shah Nawaz Khan, marking it as the twelfth monument of his reign. The site is well-preserved, surrounded by a beautiful garden, and is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free