The city of Bijapur was strengthened with strong fortification walls by Ali Adil Shah, after his victory over the Vijayanagara Kings in 1565 CE. The fortification wall around the city with a moat runs around 10 km. There are 96 bastions, which once mounted with large cannons. Five principal gates and some smaller and postern gates opening in to the fort. The Makka gate on the West, the Shahpur Gate at the North West, the Bahmani gate on the North, the Allapur gate on the East and Fateh or Mangoli gate on the South are the principal gates. These gates are built more or less upon the same plan and are well protected by flanking bastions, double gates and covered approaches.
The citadel or Ark-Quilah as it is generally called, is a circular enclosure and covers the palaces, private apartments of the King and his family, various public building, the Military, Revenue offices and the Treasury interspersed with gardens, fountains, cisterns and running water. The Basatin-I-Salatin, tells us that Ibrahim- I rebuilt the citadel and made it strong.

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The gates and walls of city & citadels

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The gates and walls of city & citadels

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