Karnataka Tours and Travel

Karnataka's profusion of monuments are reflections of her rich history and cultural affluence. Karnataka's richness in culture and tradition, told time and again through the ruins of these monuments, has inspired the art lovers and philosophers for generations.

Gol Gumbaz is the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah II (1627-57). He was from the Adil Shahi kingdoms. The tomb, located in the city of Bijapur in Karnataka was built in 1659 by the famous architect Yaqut of Dabul. The structure consists of a massive square chamber measuring nearly 50 m on each side and covered by a huge dome 37.9m in diameter making it the largest dome in the Islamic world. The dome is supported on giant squinches supported by groined pendentives while the outside building is supported by domed octagonal corner towers. Each tower consists of 7 storeys and the upper floor of each opens on to a round gallery, which surrounds the dome. In the center of the chamber is a square raised podium approached by steps in the center of each side. In the center of the podium are the tombs of Muhammad Ali Shah II and his relations. To the west of the podium in a large apse like projection is the mosque also raised slightly above the floor level of the chamber.