Citadel

Karnataka

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Surrounded by fortified walls and a wide moat, the citadel once contained the palaces, pleasure gardens and durbar (royal court) of the Adil Shahi kings. Now mainly in ruins, its remaining structures are urgently in need of maintenance. The most impressive of the remaining fragments are the colossal arches of the Gagan Mahal, built by Ali Adil Shah I around 1561. The gates here are locked, but someone will be on hand to let you in.

The ruins of Mohammed Adil Shah’s seven-storey palace, the Sat Manzil, are nearby. Across the road stands the delicate Jala Manzil, once a water pavilion surrounded by secluded courts and gardens. On the other side of Station Rd (MG Rd) are the graceful arches of Bara Kaman, the ruined mausoleum of Ali Adil Shah II (Ali Roza).

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Golgumbaz

    Golgumbaz

    1.27 MILES

    Set in tranquil gardens, the magnificent Golgumbaz houses the tombs of emperor Mohammed Adil Shah (r 1627–56), his two wives, his mistress (Rambha), one…

  • Ibrahim Rouza

    Ibrahim Rouza

    1.04 MILES

    The beautiful Ibrahim Rouza is among the most elegant and finely proportioned Islamic monuments in India. Its 24m-high minarets are said to have inspired…

  • Gagan Mahal

    Gagan Mahal

    0.15 MILES

    The most impressive of the remaining fragments in the citadel is the colossal archway of Gagan Mahal, built by Ali Adil Shah I around 1561 as a dual…

  • Jama Masjid

    Jama Masjid

    0.73 MILES

    Constructed by Ali Adil Shah I (r 1557–80), the finely proportioned Jama Masjid has graceful arches, a fine dome and a vast inner courtyard with room for…

  • Asar Mahal

    Asar Mahal

    0.34 MILES

    Built by Mohammed Adil Shah in about 1646 to serve as a hall of justice, the graceful Asar Mahal once housed two hairs from Prophet Mohammed’s beard. The…

  • Malik-e-Maidan

    Malik-e-Maidan

    0.77 MILES

    Perched upon a platform is this beast of a cannon – over 4m long, almost 1.5m in diameter and estimated to weigh 55 tonnes. Cast in 1549, it was…

  • Archaeological Museum

    Archaeological Museum

    1.23 MILES

    A well-presented archaeological museum set in the Golgumbaz lawns. Skip the ground floor and head upstairs; there you’ll find an excellent collection of…

  • Upli Buruj

    Upli Buruj

    0.69 MILES

    Upli Buruj is a 16th-century, 24m-high watchtower near the western walls of the city. An external flight of stairs leads to the top, where you’ll find two…

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Nearby Karnataka attractions

1. Sat Manzil

0.05 MILES

The ruins of Mohammed Adil Shah’s seven-storey palace, the Sat Manzil is one of several evocative sites in the citadel.

2. Jala Manzil

0.11 MILES

Within the citadel is the delicate Jala Manzil, once a water pavilion surrounded by secluded courts and gardens.

3. Gagan Mahal

0.15 MILES

The most impressive of the remaining fragments in the citadel is the colossal archway of Gagan Mahal, built by Ali Adil Shah I around 1561 as a dual…

4. Mihtar Mahal

0.33 MILES

The crumbling but richly decorated Mihtar Mahal serves as an ornamental gateway to a small mosque.

5. Asar Mahal

0.34 MILES

Built by Mohammed Adil Shah in about 1646 to serve as a hall of justice, the graceful Asar Mahal once housed two hairs from Prophet Mohammed’s beard. The…

6. Jod Gumbad

0.38 MILES

In the southwest of the city, off Bagalkot Rd, stand the twin Jod Gumbad tombs, with handsome bulbous domes. An Adil Shahi general and his spiritual…

7. Bara Kaman

0.4 MILES

Within the citadel are the graceful arches of Bara Kaman, the ruined mausoleum of Ali Adil Shah II (Ali Roza). The structure was never finished, and dates…

8. Central Market

0.43 MILES

This lively market is an explosion of colour and scent, with flowers, spices and fresh produce for sale.