Gumbad — Dominating Historical Indian Real Estate

"Gumbad" (also "Gumbaz" or "Gumbat") is a word in Persian and Urdu which refer to a dome-shaped architectural structure. Though it is used to describe any type of dome, but it is often linked to domed mausoleums. In India, there are several famous Gumbads, such as the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur. The Gol Gumbaz is one of the largest domes in the world and houses the tomb of Sultan Muhammad Adil Shah. The Shah Rukn-e-Alam's tomb in Multan, Pakistan is also an architectural landmark gumbad.

Here are a few popular monuments in India that feature a GUMBAD or dome in their structures.

Have you ever seen a round-shaped building that looks like half of a ball? That's Gumbad, or dome.

In India, there are many beautiful Gumbads that were built centuries ago. They were built by rulers and nobelties as a showcase of their power and to continue to dominate the landscape even after they were gone. These domes are built on top of buildings like palaces, mosques, and tombs.

One of the most famous domes in India is the Taj Mahal. Haven't you heard of it? It is a very big and beautiful white dome that is located in Agra. It was built by Shah Jahan, a Mughal ruler, for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is made of white marble and it looks very pretty, especially in the moonlight.

Another famous gumbad is the Gol Gumbad in Bijapur. It is the largest dome in India. It was built by a king named Mohammed Adil Shah in the 17th century.

Many people visit these domes to see their beauty and to learn about history. Some people even go inside the domes to pray and meditate. It is very peaceful inside and the domes keep the temperature cool during hot summers.

There's something very interesting about Gumbads. They are not just pretty to look at, but they also have a special function. They help to make the building stronger and more stable. How do they do that? The dome shape helps to distribute the weight of the building evenly, so that it doesn't collapse.

1. Gol Gumbaz: Located in Bijapur (Karnataka), Gol Gumbaz is a mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah. It is among the largest domes in the world. It is famous for its impressive acoustic properties, which allow even a faint sound to be heard at the opposite end of the building.
2. Ibrahim Rauza: Also in Bijapur, Ibrahim Rauza is a tomb and mosque built in the 17th century by Ibrahim Adil Shah II. The monument has large central dome and several smaller ones, and is known for its intricate carvings and calligraphy.
3. Bara Gumbad: Located in Delhi, Bara Gumbad is a tomb built in the 15th century during the Lodhi dynasty. It features a large dome with intricate designs and is surrounded by several smaller domed chambers.
4. Chota Gumbad: Also located in Delhi, Chota Gumbad is a tomb built in the 15th century during the Tughlaq dynasty. It features a small dome with intricate designs and is surrounded by several smaller domed chambers.

Gumbads are an architural marvel that have capitavted the imaginations of people all over the globe. The intricate designs and brilliance of construction materials has made gumbads landmarks of the world. The architecure and engineering of gumbads is a great feat of the ancient world.

Gumbads remind us of our history and the people who built them!