Gol Gumbaz

I was 10-year old when we made our first trip to Bijapur to see the majestic Gol Gumbaz. The guide told us that this historical monument, built in 1656, is the mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Shah.

The dome of the structure is second largest in the world and is unsupported by any pillars. The four minarets themselves are the staircases. The acoustic system inside the mausoleum is remarkable; even the faintest whisper around the dome echoes several times and is heard on the other side of the gumbad. I called out to Mummy, Papa and my brother several times and loved it as my voice echoed across the dome. The gigantic gumbad’s walls are 3 meter thick. It has a diameter of 37 meters and a height of 51 meters. The most striking feature is the seven storied octagonal spires at the four corners and the heavy bracketed cornice below the ramparts. The gallery around the dome provided a beautiful view of the town and of the garden below, replete with blooming roses of every shade. It had indeed been a fruitful visit.