3-028-251 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Palace of Justice at Beejapoor, India, 1871. Engraving of '...the remains of a magnificent Royal palace...We are indebted to the Rev. Arthur Polehampton, Chaplain in her Majesty's Indian Service, for several photographs of the fine old buildings...The ruined city of Beejapoor [Bijapur], in Sattara, near the frontier of the Hyderabad Nizam's province, contains some of the grandest architectural remains in India. This once mighty and opulent Mussulman State was founded nearly four centuries ago; but its greatest prosperity was under Ali Adil Shah, who died in 1579. His successor, Ibrahim II., reigned forty-seven years, and was followed by Mohammed Adil Shah, in whose time the antagonistic power of the Mahrattas, under Seevajee, became dangerous to Beejapoor. The most formidable opponent, however, of its Regal pretensions was the Great Mogul; and its conquest by Aurungzebe, in 1686, proved fatal. The city and territory afterwards passed into the hands of the Mahrattas; but in 1818, when the Peishwa was overthrown, Beejapoor was taken by the British Government, and was comprised in the province assigned to the Rajah of Sattara...The city is estimated to have contained a million of people within the walls. It is now entirely deserted'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.