The story of Bijapur and its rulers

In the heart of the ancient city of Vijayapura in Karnataka, history and legend intertwine to tell a tale of eerie silence and architectural grandeur. Just outside the city, a narrow path leads to Saath Kabar, the Sixty Graves, shrouded in myths from the Mughal era. This video reveals the chilling legend of Afzal Khan, the Mughal governor who is said to have slaughtered sixty women from his harem. While historical evidence is scarce, this story has left an indelible mark on local lore, casting an eerie spell over Saath Kabar.

As we transition from the haunted past to the architectural marvels of Vijayapura, we explore the rich history of the Adil Shahi dynasty, which ruled here for almost 200 years, leaving behind a legacy of cultural and architectural brilliance. Bijapur, now known as Vijayapura, was a city that thrived under the Adil Shahis and became a center of prosperity and innovation during their reign. Among their numerous architectural achievements, the Gol Gumbaz stands out as a colossal mausoleum of the seventh sultan, Mohammed Adil Shah.

The mighty Gol Gumbaz, featuring one of the largest domes in the world, towers over the landscape. With an internal diameter of 38 meters, the Gol Gumbaz is a testament to the engineering prowess of its time, rivalled only by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The man behind this masterpiece of science and engineering was a visionary architect, Yaqut, who designed this marvel with precise mathematical calculations and created the unique structural system that supports the massive dome.

The scale of the Gol Gumbaz isn’t its only awe-inspiring feature—its whispering gallery, where even the faintest sound is amplified, and the majestic echo chamber leave visitors spellbound. Standing nearly 200 feet high, this architectural wonder continues to proclaim the greatness of Sultan Mohammed Adil Shah, four centuries after its completion.

#IndiaMarvelsMysteries #IMMSeason2 #WilliamDalrymple #SaathKabar #GolGumbaz #Bijapur #Vijayapura #AdilShahiDynasty #IndianHistory #Architecture #UNESCO #MughalEra

This is a multi-audio video. You can choose English, Hindi, Tamil or Telugu audio by clicking ⚙️ (Settings) under video and selecting the Audio Track.​

Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:30 - Story of Saath Kabar, the Sixty Graves
01:51 - Bijapur reverted to Vijayapura
02:51 - Story of Gol Gumbaz
03:37 - William Dalrymple on Gol Gumbaz
04:00 - Largest Domes of the World
04:24 - Gol Gumbaz Structural Plan
05:00 - William Dalrymple on the Architectural Marvel
06:00 - Whispering Gallery
08:37 - Islamic Rulers Love for Hindu Culture
09:36 - Influence of Hindu Culture on Tomb Architecture