Bara Gumbad

Bara Gumbad
Native name
Hindi: बड़ा गुम्बद

Bara Gumbad at Lodhi Gardens
Type Historic monument and mosque
Location Lodhi Gardens
Coordinates 28°35′34.4076″N 77°13′12.6480″E / 28.592891000°N 77.220180000°E / 28.592891000; 77.220180000Coordinates: 28°35′34.4076″N 77°13′12.6480″E / 28.592891000°N 77.220180000°E / 28.592891000; 77.220180000
Area 361 square metres (3,886 sq ft) (Bara Gumbad floor area)
Built 1490
Architectural style(s) Islamic and Hindu architecture
Governing body Archaeological Survey of India and NDMC
Owner Government of Delhi
Official name: Bara Gumbad
Designated 9 April 1936
Reference no. N-DL-73
Location of Bara Gumbad in Delhi

Bara Gumbad (Hindi: बड़ा गुम्बद) is an ancient monument which occurs in a grouping with the Friday mosque (Jama Masjid) and "mehman khana" (guest house) of Sikandar Lodi in the Lodi Gardens in Delhi (literal English translation of "Bara" is "Big" and "Gumbad" is "Dome"). The Bara Gumbad was constructed in 1490, during the Lodi dynasty, probably by Sikandar Lodi.[1][2][3][4] It is believed to have the earliest constructed full dome of any building in Delhi.[5][1]

The monument is situated approximately 400 meters South-West of Tomb of Sikandar Lodi and 75 meters South of Shisha Gumbad.[1] Although the three structures, which share a common raised platform, were all built during the Lodi dynasty, they were not constructed at the same time. The intended purpose of the builders of Bara Gumbad is unclear: it may have been intended as a free-standing tomb, but no tombstone has been identified. The area in which Bara Gumbad is situated was formally called village Khairpur.[6][7][8]

History

Bada Gumbad was constructed in 1490. It's construction is generally attributed to Sikandar Lodi.[1] A mihrab (prayer niche) in the Friday mosque (Jama Masjid) of the Bara Gumbad tells the date of construction as 900 AH (Anno Hegirae) of the Islamic lunar calendar.[4]

Including the Bada Gumbad, there are four monuments in the Lodhi Gardens; the other three being Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, Shisha Gumbad and the tomb of Muhammad Shah (who belonged to the Sayyid dynasty).[9] During the rule of Sikander Lodhi, the Bara Gumbad, adjacent mosque and the "mehman khana" (guest house) were constructed. The Bara Gumbad is speculated to serve as a gateway to the Friday mosque. However owing to the constitutions date, placement and stylistic differences the theory of gateway is not supported. The purpose and significance of the Bara Gumbad is unknown and to date remains a mystery.[1][4] The Friday mosque was constructed in 1494. It was the first mosque to be built in a style that first appeared during the Lodhi Dynasty.[10][1]

Some historians suggest that the Bara Gumbad was built by an unidentified noble in 1490, before being appropriated by Sikander Lodhi in 1494, to provide an entryway to his mosque.[3] Initially, all the monuments were built independently and were not in one confine. In the early twentieth century, a park was developed which was inaugurated by Lady Willingdon on 9 April 1936 bringing the four monuments in one confine.[9]

Bara Gumbad information

Construction and architecture

Semi-circular turret of Mosque

It is speculated that the Bara Gumbad was constructed to provide a gateway to the nearby mosque. Although the structure does not house any tomb, there is a platform in the central courtyard that suggests the structure to be a burial place. The purpose Bara Gumbad is unknown.[1][4] Bara Gumbad is grouped together with a mosque and "mehman khana" which is a smaller structure with five bays. All the structures are constructed on a 3 metres (9.8 ft) high platform, with a total area of 1,050 square metres (11,302 sq ft). The platform measures 30 metres (98 ft) (East-West) and 25 metres (82 ft) (North-South).[1]

Three out of five bays in the mosque have domes whereas the remaining two have vaulted roofs (on mosque and "mehman khana"). The central bays feature low domes, while the end-bays feature flat roofs.[1][3][11][12][13] There are oriel windows to the north and south. Both the oriel windows and the tapering minarets appear to anticipate later architectural styles.[14]

The Bara Gumbad is square type construction which sits on a plinth. The mosque measures 20 metres (66 ft) on each side. At the rear, the corners and sides of the mosque feature tall tapering semi-circular minars.[11] The east, south, and west are decorated, and feature ogee arch openings, which are set into rectangular frames. The architecture combines bracket and lintel beams, blending Islamic and Hindu architectures.[1][3][11][12][13]

Bara Gumabad is 29 metres (95 ft) high, 20 metres (66 ft) long and 20 metres (66 ft) wide. The walls are 12 metres (39 ft) tall. Like the Shisha Gumbad, the Bara Gumbad is also a single story structure but has an external semblance of spanning in two floors when viewed from outside. Total floor area of Bara Gumbad (excluding the mosque and the guest house) is 361 square metres (3,886 sq ft).[1][3][11][12][13]

The Bara Dome, mosque and the "mehman khana" are constructed of red, grey and black stone, including grey quartzite and red sandstone. The interior is elaborately ornamented with painted stucco. Colored tiles, incised carvings, and painted plaster on the mosque are decorated with foliage, flowers, geometric patterns, and Quranic inscriptions.[14][1][3][11][12][13]

Location

The Bara Gumbad is located in and is a part of the Lodhi Gardens in Delhi, India. The village where the monument stands was earlier called Khairpur. The garden is bounded by Amrita Shergill Marg in the West, North-West and North, Max MuellerMarg on the East and Lodhi Road on the South Side. Safdarjang Tomb is situated on South-West corner of the Lodhi Garden.[7]

 Rashtrapati Bhavan (3.5 km) Connaught Place (5.5 km)
Shisha Gumbad (100 meters)		 India Gate (3 km)
Chanakyapuri (5 km) Delhi Golf Club (1 km)
   Bara Gumbad  
Jor Bagh (1 km) Lodhi Road (500 meters) Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (3 km)

Picture gallery

Bara Gumbad central dome
BaraGumbad mosque
Bada Gumbad mosque interior
Side balcony of mosque
Bara Gumbad and Bara Gumbad Masjid front view

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Bara Gumbad Masjid description". archnet.org. Retrieved Dec 2015.
  2. ↑ "Bara Gumbad Masjid". Islamic-arts.org. Retrieved Dec 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "General view of the Bara Gumbad Masjid". British Library. Retrieved Dec 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "The Delhi that No-one Knows (page 38)". Orient Blackswan. Retrieved Dec 2015.
  5. ↑ "Lodi Garden and the Golf Club" (PDF). Delhi Heritage. World Monuments Fund. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  6. ↑ "Lodi Tomb". Delhi Tourism department website. Retrieved Dec 2015.
  7. 1 2 "Location". Google Maps. Retrieved Dec 2015.
  8. ↑ "Alphabetical List of Monuments in Delhi". Archaeological Survey of India. Retrieved Dec 2015.
  9. 1 2 "Important gardens" (PDF). New Delhi Municipal Council. Retrieved Dec 2015.
  10. ↑ Bloom, Jonathan M.; Blair, Sheila S. (2009). The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic art and architecture. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 139. ISBN 9780195373042. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Monument viewer". competent authority Delhi. Retrieved Dec 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Trip to Bara Gumbad". newstrackindia.com. Retrieved Dec 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Bara Gumbad Mosque". mohneshverma. Retrieved Dec 2015.
  14. 1 2 "Bara Gumbad, Lodhi gardens". Organic Connect. 17 March 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2015.

External links

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