Shisha Gumbad

Shisha Gumbad
Native name Hindi: शीशा गुम्बद
Shisha Gumbad at Lodhi Gardens
Type	Tomb
Location	Lodhi Gardens
Coordinates	28°35′37.3884″N 77°13′12.6192″E / 28.593719000°N 77.220172000°ECoordinates: 28°35′37.3884″N 77°13′12.6192″E / 28.593719000°N 77.220172000°E
Built	1489-1517 CE
Architectural style(s)	Islamic & Hindu architecture
Governing body	Archaeological Survey of India & NDMC
Owner	Government of Delhi
Scheduled monument
Official name: Shisha Gumbad
Designated	9 Apr 1936
Reference no.	N-DL-76
Location of Shisha Gumbad in Delhi

Shisha Gumbad (Hindi: शीशा गुम्बद) (literal English translation of "Shisha" is "glass" and "Gumbad" is "Dome") is a tomb from the last lineage of the Lodhi Dynasty and is thought to have possibly been constructed between 1489 and 1517 CE.^[1] The Shisha Gumbad (glass dome) houses tombs of an unknown family that may have been a part of the Lodhi family and a part of Sikandar Lodi's court.^[2][3][4][5] It is however believed by some historians that the tomb is of Bahlul Lodi (died 12 July 1489), who was chief of the Pashtun Lodi tribe and founder & Sultan of the Lodi dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.^[6][7]

Shisha Gumbad is situated in the Lodhi Gardens in Delhi and the area where the tomb is situated was formally called village Khairpur.^[8][9]

History

Exact date of construction of Shisha Gumbad is not known. There are four monuments (tombs) in the Lodhi Gardens including the Shisha Gumbad. The oldest of the four tombs is the tomb of Muhammad Shah (who belonged to the Sayyid dynasty). Shah's tomb was constructed in 1444 CE by Ala-ud-din Alam Shah. During the rule of Sikander Lodhi, the Bara Gumbad and adjacent mosque were constructed. Sikander Lodhi's tomb was built by Ibrahim Lodhi in 1517. The Shisha Gumbad is said to have been constructed between 1489-1517 CE by Ibrahim Lodhi.^[9][10]

Although some historians believe that the Gumbad is a tomb of Bahlul Lodi, who was the Sultan of the Lodi dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, the Shisha Gumbad houses tombs of an unknown family that may have been a part of the Lodhi family and a part of Sikandar Lodi's court.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Initially, all the monuments were built independently and were not in one confine. In early 20th century, a park was developed which was inaugurated by Lady Willingdon on 9 Apr 1936 bringing the four monuments in one confine.^[9]

Construction

Monument information board displayed in Lodhi gardens.

Constructed between 1489-1517 CE, the Shisha Gumbad is constructed in square shape. Combination of bracket and lintel beams, the architecture is a blend of Islamic and Hindu architectures. Although the Gumbad has an external semblance of spanning in two floors, the structure made only in one floor. The western wall of the Gumbad consists of mihrab which also served as a mosque. The main chamber of the monument measures 10 square metres (108 sq ft).^[11][12]

The ceiling is decorated with plaster work that contains Quranic inscriptions and floral designs. The monument was originally decorated with blue enamelled tiles that shined like glass. The Gumbad hence got its name "Shisha Gumbad". The blue tile embellishment presently only remains on top of the main frontage in traces.^{[13][14][15][16]}

Location

The Shisha 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.^[17]

Picture gallery

Tiles on top of main entrance

Dome interior ceiling

Graves in main chamber

Carvings on South entrance

Shisha Gumbad view from south (main entrance) side

See also

• Bara Gumbad
• Lodhi Gardens
• Tomb of Sikandar Lodi
• List of Monuments of National Importance in Delhi

References

1. "Unknown Tomb". competentauthoritydelhi.co.in. Retrieved Oct 2015.
2. "Who rests under that dome". The Hindu. Retrieved Oct 2015.
3. "Tombs within Lodhi Gardens". Delhi information website. Retrieved Oct 2015.
4. "Lodhi Garden attraction". Expedia. Retrieved Oct 2015.
5. "Heritage of the Gumbads". Delhi: Unknown Tales of a City (Chatper 32). Retrieved Oct 2015.
6. C.E. Bosworth, The New Islamic Dynasties, (Columbia University Press, 1996), 304.
7. "Ten sites in Delhi you must visit". Zee News. Retrieved Oct 2015.
8. "Alphabetical List of Monuments in Delhi". Archaeological Survey of India. Retrieved Oct 2015.
9. "Important gardens" (PDF). New Delhi Municipal Council. Retrieved Oct 2015.
10. "Bara Gumbad". orientalarchitecture.com. Retrieved Oct 2015.
11. "Bystanders of the past". The Hindu. Retrieved Oct 2015.
12. "Lodhi Gardens, New Delhi". fiftyplustravels.com. Retrieved Oct 2015.
13. "History". astrolika.com. Retrieved Oct 2015.
14. "Glazed tiles". wikimapia.org. Retrieved Oct 2015.
15. "Grave of unknown family". karuneshjohri.com. Retrieved Oct 2015.
16. "Tombs and their gripping tales". guides.wonobo.com. Retrieved Oct 2015.
17. "Location". Google Maps. Retrieved Oct 2015.