Gol Gumbad, the Islamic structure that wows all the visitors

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Ghoomophiro

Having its name imprinted in the record books for being the second largest dome in the whole world; Gol Gumbad is one monument in Bijapur district of Karnataka which attracts thousands of visitors every year. The monument is about 124 feet in diameter, and the only other dome which has managed to surpass it on the bases of the area occupied is St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

The construction

The Gol Gumbad was built by the mogul ruler Muhammad Adil Shah in 1696 and he incorporated the best architectures from all over the nation to do the jobA large number, and the result is for all us to see. He ordered the construction of the unique monument right before his death, and the grand piece of architecture was built taking in miles of the total area of Bijapur all around it.

Architecture

The architectural schemes used in the construction are unique on their own as four minarets  act as staircases and they all lead to the topmost dome at the elevation. The monument stands unsupported by the pillars or any other sort of support which is quite a thrilling reminiscent of the medieval Indian architectural supremacy. Although the major attraction of the dome has indeed become a plaything for the children, it’s quite a huge feat that its creators had achieved. The monument from inside is acoustically significant as even a very hushed whisper that you produce with your mouth will echo for several seconds. This aspect of the monument has led the researchers to be amazed in disbelief about how could the architectures from that era be this advanced?

Trivia

From the gallery of the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, you can enjoy the best view of the city. From the top of Gumbaz, the spectacular view of the entire Bijapur city will just amaze you. The dome of the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur is not just the largest in the world; it is really a beautiful piece of art to behold.

The total floor area that the dome covers is 1700 sq feet, 51 meters of height and a diameter of about 37 meters. The walls are quite robust and thick at 3 meters and the mortar used in those walls was researched to be the strongest mortar available in those times.

-The dome contains the tombs of Muhammad Adil Shah, his mistress, his two wives, his grandson, and daughter. Keeping the historical significance of the place in mind, the area in front of the monument has been developed into a museum where the tourists could see the reminiscent back from the era. There are other important structures in the large area covered by the dome such as a mosque, a nakkar khana, a dharmshala and a gateway.

Conclusion

The Gol Gumbaz is a fantastic piece of architecture and has made its way into world’s most amazing buildings ever constructed. The large number of researchers and the number of foreign tourists are a great reminder of what the monument stands for.