The Gol Gumbaz

  The Gol Gumbaz

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The structure is composed of a cube, 47.5 metres on each side, capped by a dome 44 m in external diameter. Eight intersecting arches created by two rotated squares that create interlocking pendentives" support the dome. At each of the four corners of the cube, is a dome capped octagonal tower seven stories high with a staircase inside. The upper floor of each opens on to a round gallery which surrounds the dome. Inside the mausoleum hall, is a square podium with steps on each side. In the middle of the podium, a cenotaph slab on the ground marks the actual grave below, "the only instance of this practice" in the architecture of the Adil Shahi Dynasty.

 In the middle of the north side, "a large semi-octagonal bay" protrudes out. With an area of 1,700 m2, the mausoleum has one of the biggest single chamber spaces in the world. Running around the inside of the dome is the "Whispering Gallery" where even the softest sound can be heard on the other side of the mausoleum due to the acoustics of the space Gol Gumbaz or Gol Gumbadh, from Persian Gol Gombadh meaning "circular dome",  is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah, Sultan of Bijapur . The tomb, located in Bijapur, Karnataka in India, was completed in 1656 by the architect Yaqut of  Dabul.

 The most striking features of Gol Gumbad are the seven storied octagonal spires at the four corners and the heavy bracketed cornice below the ramparts. The Gol Gumbad was built by Muhammad Adil Shah in the year 1656.  Constructed at his orders before his death, the gigantic Gol Gumbad dominates the landscape of Bijapur for miles around.

 The Gol Gumbad or Gol Gumbaz has a floor area of 1700 sq.  height of 51 m. and a diameter of 37 m. The walls of the mausoleum are 3 m. thick. The dome contains tombs of Muhammad Adil Shah, his two wives, his mistress, his daughter and grandson. The structure in front of the tomb has been converted in to a museum. Other prominent structures in the Gol Gumbad complex are a mosque, a Naqqar Khana, a gateway and a dharmashala.