Gol Gumbaz (), also written Gol Gumbad, is a 17th-century mausoleum located in Bijapur (now known as Vijayapura), a city in Karnataka, India. It houses the remains of Mohammad Adil Shah, seventh sultan of the Adil Shahi dynasty, and some of his relatives. Begun in the mid-17th century, the structure never reached completion. The mausoleum is notable for its scale and exceptionally large dome. The structure is an important example of Adil Shahi architecture.

The building is one of those put by UNESCO on its "tentative list" to become a World Heritage Site in 2014, under the name Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate.

History

The construction of the Gol Gumbaz began in the mid-17th century, during the close of Mohammed Adil Shah's reign, which was from 1627 to 1656. The mausoleum was never completed; construction may have halted in 1656 due to Mohammed Adil Shah's death that year. and one of the largest single-chamber structures in the world. Bianca Alfieri asserts that the building's size was a conscious decision made by Mohammed Adil Shah in order to rival the architecture of the Ibrahim Rauza, the tomb of the ruler's predecessor Ibrahim Adil Shah II.

The mausoleum is contained in a larger walled complex, with other buildings such as a mosque, a naqqar khana, and a dharmshala. Each side wall of the cube bears three blind arches; the spandrels of the arches contain medallion motifs, and the central arch on each side wall is filled with a stone screen containing doorways and windows. Cornices project from the building, supported by corbels. Atop the cornices are rows of small arches, which are topped by large merlons. Leaves surround the base of the mausoleum's dome, hiding the joint between the dome and its drum. A half-octagonal room is attached to the north facade of the building, though this is also a later addition.

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File:Dome Gol Gumbaz2.JPG|alt=|Leaves at the base of the dome

File:Art on the Walls of Gol Gumbaz.JPG|Carvings on the wall

File:Old GolGumbaz 1890.jpg|Gol Gumbaz c. 1860

File:Gol Gumbaz from gardens.jpg|Tomb viewed from the gardens

File:Gol Gumbaz Facade.jpg|Western facade of the Gol Gumbaz

File:A building beside Gol Gumbaz.jpg|The mosque for prayer

File:Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur, Karnataka -2.jpg|Crenellations of the west facade

File:Historical Cannon near Golgumbaz, Vijayapura, India.JPG|Historical cannon displayed in front of Gol Gumbaz

File:Ruins near the entrance, Gol Gumbaz.jpg|Ruins near the entrance

File:Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur.jpg|Corner view

File:Tomb for Mohammed Adil Shah.jpg|Tomb

File:Golgumbaj.jpg|alt=|Interior view of dome

File:Postal stamp of Golgumbaz.jpg|Postal stamp (1949)

</gallery>)

References

  • Gol Gumbad on Survey of India website
  • The Institute of Oriental Culture, University of Tokyo, Tokyo
  • Listen to unique sound recordings in Gol Gumbad: acoustics described
  • Architectural features of Gol Gumbaz