Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c17.s3.24

c17.s3.24

Ali Adil Shah-I (1557-1580 A.D.), when he constructed the fort of Bījāpur (Fig.70, Schedule 3) raised a separate suburb outside the fort in the north-western area. This suburb was excellently laid with wide streets, magnificent buildings, tanks, fountains and gardens for the members of the royal family. Hence, the suburb was described as 'Shahāpur' (town of the royal dignitaries). Water for the daily use and for the gardens was channelised from the Rāmlinga tank further north-west of the suburb. The gate under study, is open to this suburb, hence it came to be known as, in a traditional way, 'Shahāpur gate'. The gate faces north-west.