A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c21.128

c21.128

The versatility of the Bijapur workman is seen in the contrast between the majestic proportions and breadth of treatment of the Gol Gumbaz, the tomb of Muhammad Adil Shah (Pl. XIX), and ‘the exquisite detail of the miniature Mihtar Mahal’. The former, the most striking monument in the city, is a tour de force. Its dome is one of the largest of its kind and covers an area of no less than 18,000 square feet. Under Muhammad (1627-56), Bijapur reached the height of its power and this monument is its expression. The scheme of the Gol Gumbaz includes ‘a mosque, a gateway and musicians’ gallery, a hostel and other annexes essential to a royal tomb, all disposed within an extensive walled enclosure’. It is doubtful if the entire scheme was completed. The tomb chamber is one of the largest single cells ever constructed—‘a hall of noble proportions’. Externally, apart from the vast size of the dome, ‘the most arresting features are the octagonal turrets which project at each angle’ and the heavy bracketed cornice below the parapet. Only three sunken arches relieve the wall-space between, and something seems to have been left incomplete here. The arrangement of the arches supporting the dome forms a skilful and artistic solution of a difficult problem of construction, that of gaining a circular platform for the dome from the square sides of the walls. The only other example of its kind was constructed at Cordova 600 years earlier.