Arquilla or citadel, nearly in the centre of the city is one of the most interesting parts of Bijapur. It was chosen by Yusuf Adil Shah as the site for his fort. The citadel is nearly circular, a little less than a mile in circumference. The citadel was not completely fortified till the reign of Ibrahim Adil Shah I. The original design was to build a double wall around the fort with two moats, and to have the space in between, turned into a garden with ponds and fountains. Its defenses are a strong curtain wall with several bastions for considerable strength on the south and on the east. At present, the main entrance to the citadel is on the south-east. Originally, five well-fortified gates are mentioned, but of these no traces remain. Though its palaces are in ruins and its water courses and fountains dry, an air of kingly dignity clings to the Ark-killa, and arouses a feeling of reverent admiration for the noble remains of a famous dynasty.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

Dharwad Circle

The two different moats of the citadel locally known as Arquilla

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The two different moats of the citadel locally known as Arquilla

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