Ibrahim Rauza a Gem of Islamic Architecture in Bijapur
“Ibrahim Rauza, the garden tomb of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, was the inspiration for the construction of the great Taj Mahal by Shah Jehan,” our guide very proudly declared. The word Rauza means tomb, he further clarified.
We were at Vijayapura, new name of Bijapur, 525 km from Bangalore. This district in north Karnataka is dotted with several sight seeing spots. They include over 50 major mosques and some 20 palaces, mostly ruined, and a host of tombs and other structures.
Ibrahim Rauza History
Shah Jehan was fascinated by two structures during his search for an architectural plan to construct a mausoleum, Taj Mahal, for his wife Mumtaj, one was the Tomb of Mandu at Madhya Pradesh and the other was this Ibrahim Rauza. When I looked at him with disbelief he quickly added the dates of construction of each. Taj Mahal was constructed in 1632AD while this monument was built in 1626AD.
No wonder why this mausoleum was called the black Taj Mahal of south India!
Adil Shah ruled the kingdom of Bijapur from 1580 to 1627. Sultans of Bijapur are the descendants of Ottoman Empire of Istanbul Turkey. The Rouza houses the tomb of Ibrahim Adil Shah II of the Adil Shah dynasty and his wife Taj Sultana. It also entombs his daughter, two sons and his mother Haji Badi Sahiba just beside Adil Shah’s.
Another name for this is Ali Rauza.
Ibrahim Rauza Islamic architecture in India Bijapur
Ibrahim Rauza the Garden Tomb
Mausoleum of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, the structure in the right houses the tomb and the one in the left, the mosque. Ibrahim Adil Shah II was a visionary king who sought to bring Hindus and Muslims together. He spoke the local languages, had a Hindu temple built in his palace and composed verses dedicated to Sarasvati and Ganapati.
Ibrahim Rauza is a must include in the list of places to visit in Bijapur, Karnataka. It is said tombs of tombs of Humayun and Akbar will pale if compared with Gol Gumbaz and Ibrahim Rauza.
Architecture of Ibrahim Roza
The cornices and cupolas, the minarets and parapets, the decorated walls and the beautiful stone windows have become old and worn out, yet they are so beautiful and captivating.
Entire structure is over a basement and our guide showed us the secret passages in the basement. Some of the points were closed and are rumored to have treasures. I guess he told us that to see our eyes open wide with surprise. Mine did open wide on mention of the treasures.
Tunnel at Ibrahim Roza
Don’t forget to ask the guide to show you the famous tunnel.
We went through some of the dark tunnels taking care not to knock our head against the sharp stones jutting out from the low ceiling.
Tunnel at Ibrahim Roza
Guide showing Tunnel at Ibrahim Roza
Tomb of Architect Malik Sandal
The tomb of the Persian architect of this Ibrahim Rauza, Malik Sandal too was there in the courtyard. His last wish to lie beside his Sultan fulfilled. The arched structure behind the tombs served as elephant stable once.
Tomb of Architect Malik Sandal
Short note on Ibrahim Roza…
An inscription on the north door reads,
“Heaven stood astonished at this building when its head rose as it were from the earth to another heaven. The garden of paradise has borrowed its beauty from this garden. And every column in this building is graceful as a Cyprus tree in the garden of purity. An angel from heaven told the date of building in words. This heart-gladdening building is the memorial of Taj Sultana.“
How to Reach Ibrahim Rauza
If you are doing a day tour of Bijapur you can plan your route in Bijapur according to this map of Bijapur city in Karnataka. Ibrahim Rauza is approximately 4km from Gol Gumbaz.
Nearby sightseeing places are Malik E Maidan Cannon and Bara Kaman.
Google Map – location of Ibrahim Rauza
Entrance Fee and Timings to Ibrahim Roza
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Tickets: Indians & SAARC nationals: INR 5, Free for kids below 15, Foreign Nationals: INR 100
Nearby Sights
You can walk to Gagan Mahal and Bara Kaman from here.
Pin this for later…
(Updated post. This was first published on June 8th, 2009.)
How did I miss this – lovely pics
Nice pictures.
One of the must visit place in Bijapur. We got to see some parrots too at this place.
Thanks for the grt info abt this place.
Hi Indrani!
Blogtrotter has a nice lunch location for you. Enjoy and have a great weekend! I’m having the benefit of the holidays in Portugal this week… ;))
I love the series of arches in your photography on this post. I always enjoy looking through archways and using them as a frame. The caves look really spooky though.
I also loved your last post with the parrot looking down at the pigeon. You really do get some good shots.
Great knowing about this place, and the inspiration behind the Taj Mahal. The caves wonder!
that was lovely!
I would like to see those underground passages.
Your post motivated me to explore this district of our state.
Amazing details 🙂
These are all great photos and a very informative session
Beautiful place. Thanks for the tour.
Great post with wonderful images, Indrani. What a beautiful place! I like the scenery, the arches, the architecture. The first picture is so charming!
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This Post Is Very Informative And I Really Enjoyed All The Photographs !! Great One..Also I Have Started My Own Website And Would Like You To Have A Look At It.I Would Love To Have Your Comments On That Also.Unseen Rajasthan
Beautiful tomb and photos. I love the arches in the first few shots.
Hi Indrani! This one looks beautiful, but I wouldn't compare with the Taj…
I'm afraid those tunnels look a bit claustrophobic to my taste… 😉
Blogtrotter (not me, I’m stuck here ;)) is profiting from the holidays in Lisbon this week and has a tour of Lake Galve, one of the beautiful lakes near Trakai, to show you! Hope you enjoy and have a great week!
Awesome tour and great captures. I really like the composition on the second and third images. The arches are magnificent and show majesty with their ages of wear. Going underground was a bonus. I think I bumped my head. Great post.
Great and beautiful Indian World.
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Beautiful views and Indian way of life are presented on Televison.
Thanks for share this beautiful building and its story.
Luiz Ramos
wow how inpresive, this looks. you are very lucky that you can visits these beautiful buildings , and learns its history. best wishes from jeany
Very nice!! Love the framing on the second photo. Awesome@
Very educational and informative post.
Beautiful historic buildings 🙂
Those round towers
are a piece of art !!
The stone windows are really
a piece of history, fascinating!!
Thanks for all the beautiful shots!!
This is very nice information you've shared about such fascinating structures! Great Photography too!
very nice, I loved the second photo
Beautiful historic buildings 🙂
These round towers
are a piece of art!!
Rouza means literally
garden,
nice to know 😉
And the architect
is buried in the garden
thats quite unique.
How is it possible
that the grass is still green,
they will must plenty of water spraying…. LOL
(its always so hot in your country 😉
The stone windows are really a piece of history, fascinating!!
Thanks for all the beautiful shots!!
Very informative and great pictures, Indrani. Whenever you post about a place if you could add a small note on how we can go there, hotel, stay etc. it helps others to browse through your page before planning a visit.
Thanks for sharing…Keep up your good job.
truly spectacular. i would love to go there someday.
Such great architecture on the third photo, its detail is so defined.
Great photos and an interesting story. I would love to spend a day looking around here.
great pics, Indrani
Anu
Hi Indrani, I was waiting for your pictures and writeups from the south..and here comes the first. Amazing as always. Beautiful symmetry and great information.
I liked to stay outside and see the great temple and I would prefer not to go in to the dark tombs.
I stand astonished at the beauty!
You have a tribute on my blog..have a great week:)
Wonderful architecture. Your photos have captured it beautifully.
You have captured it beautifully Indrani…
I simply love this post. Fantastic photos. I wish I could see this in person.
Heaven would be astonished, I think. That's a fantastic building with amazing architecture. Great photos. Thanks for sharing them.
Very beautiful and amazing. The architects of the past are fantastic, they could built such magnificent buildings.
Imposing and beautiful architecture. What a tribute!
Sometimes I am amused by guides saying things to tourists and observing tourists' reaction 🙂 I enjoyed viewing your photos.
Thanks for sharing another fascinating site with us. The beauty of this place is truly amazing. It must have been awe-inspiring to see it in person.
Terrific post, Indrani! And what an incredibly beautiful place and what fabulous shots! Love them all. It's great to see so much of the inside as well!
That first picture caught me! It's look so big, so clean, so serene. Your parts of the world have such an amazing architectural heritage! Thanks for sharing, Indrani! I enjoy your posts so much!
Astounding. It always amazes me at what people can create.
How magnificent! I love the arches and the way it seems to stretch to forever! Of course, compared to my humble abode, it does!
I love the second photo, great perspective.
That's great that the architect got his last wish. What a beautiful place. The walkway in the first shot looks like it's miles.