Gol Gumbaz

Gol Gumbaz, also known as Gol Gumbad, stands in Bijapur, Karnataka, India. It is a 17th-century mausoleum that houses the remains of Mohammad Adil Shah, the seventh sultan of the Adil Shahi dynasty, and some of his relatives.

Gol Gumbaz is an ambitious structure built by the Adil Shahi dynasty. It is the most technically advanced domed structure in the Deccan and one of the largest single-chamber structures globally.

The central dome is exceptionally large, making it the second-largest dome ever built, surpassed only by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Inside the central chamber, every sound echoes seven times, creating a unique auditory experience.

Construction began in the mid-17th century during the reign of Mohammad Adil Shah, who ruled from 1627 to 1656. However, the mausoleum was never completed, possibly due to the sultan's death in 1656.

Gol Gumbaz is located directly behind the dargah of Hashim Pir, a Sufi saint, suggesting a close relationship between the ruler and the saint.

Despite its grandeur, the Gol Gumbaz has a straightforward plan. It is a cube measuring 47.5 meters on each side. Atop the cube sits a hemispherical dome with a diameter of approximately 44 meters. Octagonal towers, each divided into seven floors, adorn the four corners of the cube.

The walls are constructed of dark grey basalt and adorned with decorative plaster. Blind arches and stone screens add to its elegance.

Gol Gumbaz is on UNESCO's "tentative list" for World Heritage Site status as part of the Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate.