What is gol gumbaz at bijapur famous for?

Answer 1

Bijapur Gol Gumbaz is one of the most stunning monuments that can leave the viewer mesmerised long after one has gone away from the place .

Located almost in the middle of Bijapur town in North Karnataka, about 590 km from Bangalore, Bijapur Gol Gumbaz was built by Mohammad Adil Shah of the famous Adil Shahi dynasty sometime around 1650 AD. The structure was essentially built as a mausoleaum for him and he is buried inside with some family members.

Bijapur Gol Gumbaz is a magnificent building, and is a cubical structure topped by an unsupported dome that stretches 38 metres across in diameter is said to be the largest in Asia and second only to Rome's St Peter's Basilica. At its centre, it rises almost 200 feet and is enclosed by majestic octagonal towers at the four corners. The entire structure set amidst landscaped lawns and makes for an impressive sight. Inside, on the ground level are the tombs, while a narrow and steep set of steps leads to a gallery inside the dome. This is the most unique thing about the Bijapur Gol Gumbaz and is called the whispering gallery, as even the slightest whisper is magnified and echoed many times and can be heard clearly all around. During the peak tourist season however, the whispering gallery becomes shouting gallery due to the profusion of tourists, especially school children.

Bijapur Gol Gumbaz is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, who also maintain a small museum on the premises which showcase a variety of artefacts and items of use such as martial clothes, armour, arms and ammunition, clothes, ornaments and other things belonging to the Shah dynasty rulers and royal household.