Explain What is Gol Gumbaz?

Gol Gumbaz is a massive tomb that showcases architectural excellence of bygone ages. This magnificent monument, located in Bijapur called Vijayapura, a small town in Northern Karnataka, features one of the world’s largest domes. It is one of India’s most famous mausoleums, dated history of more than 350 years.

History of Gol Gumbaz

This grand mausoleum is the ultimate resting place of Mohammed Adil Shah who was the 17th-century ruler of Bijapur. The structure was built in 1626, shortly after the Sultan had just ascended to the throne. It was his plan to construct a magnificent tomb for himself. Ironically, the structure was finished in 1656, after he died.

The name Gol Gumbaz is derived from the phrases Gol Gumbadh or Gol Gummata, which imply a circular dome.The structure is named as such because its most striking feature is its massive round dome. In addition to the Sultan’s mortal remains, the tomb contains the crypts of his two wives, Taj Jahan Begum and Aroos Bibi, as well as those of his grandson, daughter, and lover Rambha.

Architecture

Gol Gumbaz is one of the best examples of Deccan Indo-Islamic architecture. The massive building is built of dark grey basalt. It reaches a height of 51 metres and has an exterior diameter of 44 metres, making it one of the biggest domes ever built. Four dome-capped towers embellish the structure on all four sides. Each of these towers is seven floors high and includes an internal stairway. Inside the main tomb hall, there is a square podium with a beautifully carved wooden canopy. The cenotaph slab in the middle of the platform denotes the position of the Sultan’s real tomb in the ground below.

The tomb hall has an area of 18000 square feet, making it one of the world’s largest single-chamber interiors. A whispering corridor runs around the dome’s inner edge, which is an intriguing aspect of Gol Gumbaz. Any sound generated here is amplified at least seven times. Even the softest noises from the opposite side of the monument may be heard from inside the whispering gallery. This phenomena is linked to the structure’s outstanding acoustics.

Another striking feature of this edifice is the lack of towers or pillars that support the massive dome, which is an architectural marvel in and of itself. The dome is supported by eight crossing arches from inside.

Gol Gumbaz is now one of India’s most important historical monuments, managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. Its captivating architecture and unique acoustic qualities draw a regular stream of tourists from across the globe. A museum near the structure shows an impressive collection of paintings, Chinese parchments, carpets, and other artifacts.

Some Facts of Gol Gumbaz

1. The dome of Gol Gumbaz is considered to be the second biggest in the world, behind the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

2. During his reign, Mohammed Adil Shah built this massive building because he wanted his mausoleum to be greater than that of his father, Ibrahim Rauza.

3. This Gol Gumbaz is also known as the Taj Mahal of South India.

4. When you enter the building, you will notice a stone hanging above the main entrance. It is a chunk of meteorite that fell upon the earth during the Sultan’s reign and is also known as “bijli pathar.” This stone is thought to protect the tomb from lightning.

5. The Gol Gumbaz Express which runs between Mysore and Solapur is named after the structure. The train route goes via Bijapur

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1. Where is Gol Gumbaz built?

Answer – Gol Gumbaz is located in Bijapur. The tomb’s construction began in 1626 and was finished in 1656.

Question 2. Is Gol Gumbaz as large as the Taj Mahal?

Answer – The Taj Mahal took 22 years to complete, whereas Gol Gumbaz took 29 years to build, and the former is almost twice as large with gigantic measures.

Question 3. What is Bijapur’s history?

Answer – Yusuf Adil Shah, the founder of the independent kingdom of Bijapur is responsible for much of the city’s splendour. This dynasty’s reign ended in 1686, when Bijapur was conquered under the reign of Mughal badshah (emperor) Aurangzeb, who had made Bijapur a subah (imperial top-level province) in 1684.

Question 4 : What was Bijapur’s original name?

Answer – Bijapur formally known as Vijayapura, is the district seat of Karnataka’s Bijapur District.