Literature: The Adil Shahis of Bijapur encouraged many scholars and poets in their courts. Arabic, Persian, and Deccani Urdu languages and literature developed. Ibrahim Adil Shah-II was an eminent scholar who wrote the ‘Kitab-i-Navaras’. Scholars like Syed Ahmed Harawi, Maulana Ghiyasuddin, Habibullah and Abdullah were famous. Shah Miranji of Bijapur wrote two poems ‘Khush-Nama and Khush-Naqhz’. The Sufi saints brought about unity among the Hindus and Muslims.
Mulla Nusrati who wrote the historical work called ‘Ali Nama’ and Ferishta who wrote Tarikh – i -Ferishta, a work on Muslim history, were famous historians during the Adil Shahi’s period. Urdu literature benefitted from the writtings of Abdul Mani, Mian Nusrati, Mirjan Marisa and others.
Art and Architecture: The monuments built by the Adil Shahis are in Indo-Islamic style. This is also called Deccani style. The early monuments of Adil Shahi period were simple and elegant. They built several Palaces, Mosques, Tombs and Gateways. Some of the noteworthy Palaces were Ganga Mahal, Sangeet Mahal, Mittar Mahal and Asar Mahal.
Ali Adil Sha (1558-1580) built the famous Jami Masjid at Bijapur. It is noted for seven arches, minarets, huge domes and the big prayer hall.
The Ibrahim Roza (1626 C.E.): consists of twin buildings constructed on a raised platform. One of the buildings’is a Mosque and the other is a tomb. It was built by Ibrahim Adi Shah - II. The interior parts of the tomb are profusely decorated, the wall and pillars have been covered by floral and geometric designs. Inside the Roza, a part of the ceiling hangs without any support. The Roza is renowned for its ‘Hanging Roof’. It is called the ‘Taj Mahal of South India’.
Gol Gumbaz (1629-1656 C.E.): at Bijapur is a world-famous monument. Mohammad Adil Shah built it. The huge central dome measures 144 ft in diameter. At the four corners, it hr.:- octagonal towers rising seven stories high The main attraction of this Gumbaz is its ‘Whispering gallery’. Any sound made in this dome, echoes seven times. It is one of the wonders of the world.
Another incomplecte noteworthy monument in Bijapur is Barakaman foundation which was started by Ali Adil Shah – II. It has a raised platform of 20 ft. It consists of eleven big arches. Bade Kaman, Anand Mahal, Taj Bawadi, Chand Bawadi etc are some of the other important monuments.
