ShaneraDeF at 20:37, 11 December 2025

2025-12-11T20:37:41Z

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{{Short description|Monument and mosque in Delhi, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}{{good article}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox religious building
| name = Bara Gumbad
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image = Bara Gumbad 2015.JPG
| image_upright = 1.4
| alt =
| caption = Bara Gumbad at [[Lodi Gardens]]
| religious_affiliation = [[Islam]]
| tradition =
| sect =
| district =
| prefecture =
| province =
| region =
| deity =
| rite =
| festival = 
| organisational_status = [[Historic monument]] and [[mosque]]
| ownership = [[Government of Delhi]]{{clarify|date=January 2025|reason=If [[waqf]], property should rest with the [[Delhi Waqf Board]] and not the government.}}
| governing_body =
| administration = {{ubl|[[Archaeological Survey of India]]|[[New Delhi Municipal Council]]}}
| leadership =
| bhattaraka =
| patron =
| consecration_year =
| functional_status = {{nowrap|Active {{small|(as a mosque)}}}}
| religious_features_label =
| religious_features =
| location = [[Lodi Gardens]], [[Central Delhi]], [[Delhi NCT]]
| locale =
| municipality =
| cercle =
| state =
| country = [[India]]
| map_type = India Delhi central
| map_size = 250
| map_alt =
| map_relief = 1
| map_caption = Location of the monument site in [[Central Delhi]]
| grid_name =
| grid_position =
| sector =
| territory =
| coordinates = {{coord|28|35|34.4|N|77|13|12.7|E|region:IN-DL_type:landmark|format=dms|display=it}}
| coordinates_footnotes =
| heritage_designation =
| architect =
| architecture_type = {{nowrap|[[Mosque architecture]]}}
| architecture_style = {{ubl|[[Indo-Islamic architecture|Indo-Islamic]]|[[Lodi dynasty|Lodi]]}}
| founded_by = [[Sikandar Lodi]] {{small|(attrib.)}}
| creator =
| funded_by =
| general_contractor =
| established =
| groundbreaking =
| year_completed = {{ubl|{{nowrap|1490 [[Common Era|CE]] {{small|(Bara Gumbad)}}}}|1494 CE {{small|(mosque)}}}}
| construction_cost =
| date_demolished = 
| facade_direction =
| capacity =
| length = {{nowrap|{{cvt|20|m}} {{small|(Bara Gumbad)}}}}
| width = {{cvt|20|m}} {{small|(Bara Gumbad)}}
| width_nave =
| interior_area = {{ubl|{{cvt|361|m2|ft2}} {{small|(Bara Gumbad)}}|{{cvt|20|m2|ft2}} {{small|(mosque)}}}}
| height_max = {{cvt|29|m}} {{small|(Bara Gumbad)}}
| dome_quantity = Multiple
| dome_height_outer =
| dome_height_inner =
| dome_dia_outer =
| dome_dia_inner =
| minaret_quantity = Two
| minaret_height =
| spire_quantity =
| spire_height =
| site_area = {{cvt|1050|m2}}
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity =
| shrine_quantity =
| inscriptions =
| materials = [[Sandstone]]
| elevation_m = 
| elevation_footnotes =
| nrhp =
| designated =
| added =
| refnum =
| delisted1_date =
| website =
| module = {{Infobox historic site
| embed= yes
| designation1 = MANI
| designation1_offname = {{ubl|Mosque with the dalans and courtyard|Bara Gumbad<br/>{{small|(the domed entrance to the mosque)}}}}
| designation1_date = 9 April 1936
| designation1_number = N-DL-73 }}
| footnotes =
}}
The '''Bara Gumbad''' ({{Literal translation|big [[dome]]}}) is a medieval [[monument]] located in [[Lodi Gardens]] in [[Delhi]], India. It is part of a group of monuments that include a [[Friday mosque]] (Jama Masjid) and the "''mehman khana''" (guest house) of [[Sikandar Lodi]], the ruler of the [[Delhi Sultanate]]. The Bara Gumbad was constructed in 1490 [[Common Era|CE]], during the reign of the [[Lodi dynasty]]. Its construction is generally attributed to Sikandar Lodi, and it is believed to have the earliest constructed full dome of any building in Delhi.

The monument is situated near the [[Tomb of Sikandar Lodi]] and [[Shisha Gumbad]]. Although the three structures, which share a common raised platform, were all built during the Lodi reign, 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, or as a gateway. The area in which Bara Gumbad is situated was formally called Khairpur village.

Bara Gumbad and the associated mosque are a [[Monuments of National Importance (India)|Monument of National Importance]],<ref name="ASI MNI">{{Cite web|url=http://asi.nic.in/alphabetical-list-of-monuments-delhi/|title=List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of Delhi |work=[[Archaeological Survey of India]] |access-date=2018-10-02}}</ref> under the administration of the [[Archaeological Survey of India]].

==History==

Bada Gumbad was constructed in 1490 CE, and is believed to have the earliest constructed full dome of any building in Delhi.<ref name=Golf>{{cite web |title=Lodi Garden and the Golf Club |url=https://www.wmf.org/sites/default/files/article/pdfs/Lodi%20Garden%20and%20the%20Golf%20Club.pdf |website=Delhi Heritage |publisher=[[World Monuments Fund]] |date= |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052047/https://www.wmf.org/sites/default/files/article/pdfs/Lodi%20Garden%20and%20the%20Golf%20Club.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Bara Gumbad Masjid description"/> Its construction is generally attributed to [[Sikandar Lodi]].<ref name="Bara Gumbad Masjid description">{{cite web |date= |title=Bara Gumbad Masjid description |work=archnet.org |access-date=29 December 2015 |url=http://archnet.org/sites/1562/media_contents/90678}}</ref><ref name="General view of the Bara Gumbad Masjid"/><ref name="The Delhi that No-one Knows (page 38)">{{cite news |title=The Delhi that No-one Knows |page=38 |year=2005 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=9788180280207 |access-date=29 December 2015 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cN7-8ZwviRgC&q=%22bara+gumbad%22+not+a+tomb&pg=PA38}}</ref> A [[mihrab]] (prayer niche) in the adjacent [[Friday mosque]] (Jama Masjid) gives the mosque's date of construction as {{AH|900|link=y}}.<ref name="The Delhi that No-one Knows (page 38)"/>

Including the Bada Gumbad, there are four monuments in the [[Lodi Gardens]]; the other three being [[Tomb of Sikandar Lodi]], [[Shisha Gumbad]], and the tomb of Muhammad Shah (who belonged to the [[Sayyid dynasty]]).<ref name="Important gardens">{{cite news |title=Important gardens |publisher=[[New Delhi Municipal Council]] |access-date=29 December 2015 |url=https://www.ndmc.gov.in/Departments/Horticulture/Important%20Gardens%20of%20NDMC.pdf |date= }}</ref> The Bada Gumbad is situated approximately {{convert|400|m|ft}} southwest of the tomb and {{convert|75|m|ft}} south of Shisha Gumbad.<ref name="Bara Gumbad Masjid description"/> During the rule of Sikander Lodi, the Bara Gumbad, the 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.<ref name="Bara Gumbad Masjid description"/><ref name="The Delhi that No-one Knows (page 38)"/> The Friday mosque was constructed in 1494 CE. It was the first mosque to be built in a style that first appeared during the [[Lodi dynasty|Lodi Dynasty]].<ref name="Bara Gumbad Masjid description"/><ref name=Bloom>{{cite book |last1=Bloom |first1=Jonathan M. |last2=Blair |first2=Sheila S. |title=The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic art and architecture |date=2009 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=9780195373042 |page=139 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=un4WcfEASZwC&pg=PA139 |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref>

Some historians suggest that the Bara Gumbad was built by an unidentified noble in 1490 CE, before being appropriated by Sikander Lodi in 1494 CE, to provide an entryway to his mosque.<ref name="General view of the Bara Gumbad Masjid">{{cite news |title=General view of the Bara Gumbad Masjid |publisher=[[British Library]] |access-date=29 December 2015 |url=http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/g/019pho000001003u00898000.html |date= }}</ref>

[[Simon Digby (oriental scholar)|Simon Digby]] argued, that the Bara Gumbad served as a gateway to a large walled enclosure, which included the [[Shisha Gumbad]], identified by the same scholar as the tomb of [[Bahlul Lodi]].
<ref>{{cite journal |author=Digby, Simon |author-link=Simon Digby (oriental scholar) |title=The Tomb of Buhlul Lodi |journal=The Bulletin of SOAS |volume=38 |number=3 |year=1975 |pages=550–61 |issn= |doi= }}</ref>

Initially, all the monuments were built independently, and were not in one confine. In the early twentieth century, a park was developed, bringing the four monuments in one confine. The park was inaugurated on 9 April 1936 by Lady Willingdon, the wife of [[Viceroy of India|Viceroy]] [[Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon|Lord Willingdon]].<ref name="Important gardens"/> The park was originally called the Lady Willingdon Park after her, but was renamed to Lodi Gardens after independence of India in 1947.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Heritage-walk-marks-75th-anniversary-of-Lodhi-Garden/articleshow/7928433.cms |title=Heritage walk marks 75th anniversary of Lodhi Garden |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=9 April 2011 |access-date= |author= }}</ref>

==Construction and architecture==
[[File:Bara Gumbad Tomb, Lodi Gardens - 1.jpg|thumb|right|Bara Gumbad interiors.]]
It is speculated that the Bara Gumbad was constructed to provide a gateway to the nearby mosque or a large walled enclosure. 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 of Bara Gumbad is unknown.<ref name="Bara Gumbad Masjid description"/><ref name="The Delhi that No-one Knows (page 38)"/> 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 {{convert|4|m|feet}} high platform, with a total area of {{Convert|1050|m2|ft2|0}}. The platform measures {{convert|30|m|feet}} (east-west) and {{convert|25|m|feet}} (north-south).<ref name="Bara Gumbad Masjid description"/>

[[File:Bara Gumbad Mosque.JPG|170px|thumb|Semi-circular [[turret (architecture)|turret]] of Mosque]]
Three out of five bays in the mosque have domes whereas the remaining two have [[Vault (architecture)|vaulted]] roofs (on mosque and "mehman khana"). The central bays feature low domes, while the end-bays feature flat roofs.<ref name="Bara Gumbad Masjid description"/><ref name="General view of the Bara Gumbad Masjid"/><ref name="Monument viewer">{{cite news|title=Monument viewer|publisher=competent authority Delhi|access-date=29 December 2015|url=http://competentauthoritydelhi.co.in/MonumentViewer.aspx?ID=243|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123422/http://competentauthoritydelhi.co.in/MonumentViewer.aspx?ID=243|url-status=dead}}</ref> There are [[oriel windows]] to the north and south. Both the oriel windows and the tapering [[minaret]]s appear to anticipate later architectural styles.

The Bara Gumbad is square type construction which sits on a [[plinth]]. The mosque measures {{convert|20|m|feet}} on each side. At the rear, the corners and sides of the mosque feature tall tapering semi-circular [[Minaret|minars]].<ref name="Monument viewer"/> The east, south, and west are decorated, and feature ogee arch openings, which are set into rectangular frames. The [[architecture]] combines [[Bracket (architecture)|bracket]] and [[lintel]] beams, blending [[Islamic architecture|Islamic]] and [[Hindu architecture]]s.<ref name="Bara Gumbad Masjid description"/><ref name="General view of the Bara Gumbad Masjid"/><ref name="Monument viewer"/>

Bara Gumbad is {{Convert|29|m|ft|0}} high, {{Convert|20|m|ft|0}} long and {{Convert|20|m|ft|0}} wide. The walls are {{Convert|12|m|ft|0}} 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 {{Convert|361|m2|ft2|0}}.<ref name="Bara Gumbad Masjid description"/><ref name="General view of the Bara Gumbad Masjid"/><ref name="Monument viewer"/>

The dome, the mosque and the "mehman khana" are constructed of red, grey and black stone, including grey [[quartzite]] and red [[sandstone]]. The interior is elaborately [[Ornament (art)|ornamented]] with painted [[stucco]]. Colored tiles, [[Cutting|incised]] carvings, and painted plaster on the mosque are decorated with [[foliage]], flowers, geometric patterns, and [[Quranic]] [[inscriptions]].<ref name="Bara Gumbad Masjid description"/><ref name="General view of the Bara Gumbad Masjid"/><ref name="Monument viewer"/>

==Location==

The Bara Gumbad is located in and is a part of the Lodi Gardens in [[Delhi]], India. The village where the monument stands was earlier called Khairpur.<ref name="Lodi Tomb">{{cite news|title=Lodi Tomb|publisher=[[Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation|Delhi Tourism department]] website|access-date=29 December 2015|url=http://www.delhitourism.gov.in/delhitourism/tourist_place/lodi_tomb.jsp}}</ref><ref name="Alphabetical List of Monuments in Delhi">{{cite news|title=Alphabetical List of Monuments in Delhi|publisher=[[Archaeological Survey of India]]|access-date=29 December 2015|url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_delhi.asp}}</ref> The garden is bounded by [[Amrita Shergill Marg]] in the west, northwest and north, Max MuellerMarg on the east and [[Lodi Road]] on the south side. Safdarjang Tomb is situated on southwest corner of the Lodi Garden.<ref name="Location">{{cite news|title=Location|publisher=[[Google Maps]]|access-date=29 December 2015 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Bara+Gumbad/@28.5928903,77.2181655,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x390ce2ecf88df77d:0xc75ddb0b9f8919ec}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Bara Gumbad Mosque, Lodi Gardens - Interiors - 1.jpg|Bada Gumbad mosque interior
Bara Gumbad Mosque, Lodi Gardens - Exteriors - 1.jpg|Carvings on the exterior of the mosque
Bada Gumbad mosque central dome (3549018884).jpg|Bara Gumbad mosque central dome
Bara Gumbad Mosque front view.JPG|Bara Gumbad mosque
Side balcony of Bada Gumbad mosque (3548926886).jpg|Side balcony of the mosque
Bara Gumbad and Bara Gumbad Masjid.JPG|Bara Gumbad and mosque front view
Lodhi Gardens mosque inside view.jpg|Interior view of the mosque
Sheesh Gumbad and Bara Gumbad.jpg|Bara Gumbad and mosque at back; Shisha Gumbad in front

</gallery>

== See also ==
{{stack|{{portal|India|Islam}}}}
* [[Islam in India]]
* [[List of mosques in India]]
* [[List of Monuments of National Importance in Delhi]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Bara Gumbad}}

{{Mosques in India|state=collapsed}}
{{Geographic location
|Centre = Bara Gumbad
|North = [[Connaught Place, New Delhi|Connaught Place]] (5.5 km)<br>[[Shisha Gumbad]] (100 meters)
|Northeast = [[India Gate]] (3 km)
|East = [[Delhi Golf Club]] (1 km)
|Southeast = [[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Delhi)|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]] (3 km)
|South = [[Lodi Road]] (500 meters)
|Southwest = [[Jor Bagh metro station|Jor Bagh]] (1 km)
|West = [[Chanakyapuri]] (5 km)
|Northwest = [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]] (3.5 km)
}}
{{Delhi landmarks}}
{{Delhi}}

[[Category:15th-century mosques in India]]
[[Category:Architecture of the Lodi dynasty]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1490]]
[[Category:Monuments of National Importance in Delhi]]
[[Category:Mosque buildings with domes in India]]
[[Category:Mosque buildings with minarets in India]]
[[Category:Mosques completed in the 1490s]]
[[Category:Mosques in Delhi]]
[[Category:Sandstone buildings in India]]

Bara Gumbad - Revision history

ShaneraDeF at 20:37, 11 December 2025