Gumbaz

Gumbaz is a term derived from Persian that means dome. In Persianate, Urdu, and wider South Asian architectural language, gumbaz (or gumbad) is used to designate a domed structure, often the roof of a mausoleum, mosque, or pavilion. The word reflects the prominent use of domed forms in Islamic and Indo-Islamic architecture.

In architectural usage, a gumbaz refers to a domed roof or a building crowned by a dome. Domes can be hemispherical or bulbous in shape and are commonly placed above a square or octagonal base, with supporting elements such as a drum, squinches, or pendentives. The form is frequently ornamented and may be a focal point of religious or ceremonial buildings.

Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur (Vijayapura), Karnataka, India, is the best-known example of a gumbaz. It is the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah II of the Adil Shahi dynasty, constructed between 1626 and 1656. The structure features an immense central dome and a substantial octagonal base. The dome is reported to have a large diameter, making it one of the largest domes in the world by scale. Inside, a circular corridor known as the Whispering Gallery runs beneath the dome, where sound travels clearly along the walls, creating notable acoustic effects.

Beyond Gol Gumbaz, the term gumbaz is used for other domed tombs and mosques across the Persianate and South Asian architectural sphere. It remains a common descriptor in historical texts and guide literature for Indo-Islamic monuments, reflecting the enduring prominence of domes in the region’s architectural vocabulary.