History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c65.s3.2

v4.c65.s3.2

Half way across this plain the southern horizon is first seen to be pierced by a gigantic faint white bubble,—the largest dome in the world, standing 300 feet above the ground, which dominates the entire landscape. It is the Gol Gumbaz or tomb of Muhammad Adil Shah. Coming nearer, as the railway climbs up from a dip in the ground, Bijapur suddenly bursts into view like a dream city, with its strange mingling of beauty and melancholy, its sadly impressive grandeur derived from palace and tomb. "Far on every side the country is covered with buildings of varied shapes in different stages of decay. A number of tombs, mosques, palaces and towers lie scattered in every direction. To the right (i.e., north-west of the city), the white domes of Pir Amin's tomb gleam in the sunlight, a brilliant contrast to the dark grey ruins in the foreground. In front lie the city's massive walls and bastions, with here and there a stately building towering over the fortifications, while on the left the colossal proportions of the Gol Gumbaz dwarf its surroundings. Still further to the left (i.e., north-east of the city), the plain outside is dotted with tombs, among which is conspicuous the massive dark grey mausoleum of Ain-ul-mulk." (Bomb. Gaz. xxiii.)