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Gol Gumbaz

Gol Gumbaz
ಗೋಲ ಗುಮ್ಮಟ
GolGumbaz2.jpg
Gol Gumbaz
Gol Gumbaz is located in Karnataka
Gol Gumbaz
Location of Gol Gumbaz
Coordinates 16°49′48.11″N 75°44′9.95″E / 16.8300306°N 75.7360972°E / 16.8300306; 75.7360972
Location Bijapur, Karnataka, India
Designer Gopal ji
Type Mausoleum
Material dark grey basalt
Height 51 meter
Beginning date c. 1626
Completion date 1656
Dedicated to Mohammed Adil Shah
Variant Names Gol Gumbad

Gol Gumbaz 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 name finds its roots from Gola gummata deriving from Gol Gombadh meaning "circular dome". It is constructed as per the Deccan architecture".

The structure is composed of a cube, 47.5 metres (156 ft) on each side, capped by a dome 44 m (144 ft) 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 (18,000 sq ft), 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.

Dome from the outside

Dome with intersecting arches from the inside

Whispering Gallery

Carvings on the wall

Gol Gumbaz c. 1860

Gol Gumbaz - view from the entrance.

One of the minars as viewed from the terrace.

Historical Cannon displayed in front of Golgumbaz

Coordinates: 16°49′48″N 75°44′9″E / 16.83000°N 75.73583°E / 16.83000; 75.73583


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