Bijapur is sustained by the Krishna River which renders the fertile land. Kannada is the official language. The city has a population of 3,00,000 and comes under Bijapur district. Located at an elevation of 2500 feet, the city stands on the low uplands of the Deccan Plateau. According to the census data of 2011, the total population of Bijapur district is 2.1 million, making it the 7th most populous district in the state of Karnataka. Out of the total population, 43 percent constitute the working age population and out of this, majority of the population i.e. 66 percent participate in the agriculture sector, 3 percent in the household industry and 31 percent are engaged in industry and services. Cereals like jowar, bajra, wheat and red gram are widely grown in this primarily agricultural region. Cement and Sugar Industries are a source of employment as well. Bijapur is one of the leading producers of Sugar in Karnataka. The Almatti and the Basava Sagar Dams built over the Krishna river generate electricity and enhance irrigation as well. Bijapur is said to have been founded by the Kalyani Chalukyas during the 11th century and it was well known as “Vijaypura” or The City of Victory. The Bijapur region came under the control of the British after the Third Anglo-Maratha War and was included as part of the State of Bombay in 1947, but was transferred to the State of Karnataka in 1956. The beautiful architectural structures of the city built during the reign of the Adil Shahi dynasty, such as the Fort, Gol Gumbaz, Jama Masjid, Malik-e-Maidan, Mecca Mosque and the 2nd largest statue of Shiva and the Narashimha Temple attract numerous tourists.
