Haft Gumbaz or Haft Gumbad, also known as Seven Tombs, is a complex or group of Tombs of rulers of Bahamani Dynasty. It is located in Kalaburagi (formerly Gulbarga) in Karnataka.
Historical Significance:
Imagine this: It’s the 14th century and after the death of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the bahamani rulers decided to break free from the Tughlaq empire’s clutches. So they said “goodbye” to the Tughlaq empire and built their own independent kingdom with Kalaburagi as its capital. Bahamani Dynasty became the first independent Muslim empire in the Deccan region.
Haft Gumbaz: Where Bahmani Rulers Rest
Haft Gumbaz, with its grand mausoleums serves as the final resting places of some of these first Bahmani rulers and nobles. However, in 1429 AD, the Bahmani capital moved from Gulbarga to Bidar. Thus, Gulbarga and Bidar became the two major centre of architecture of Bahamani kingdom.
Architecture:
Bahmani rulers weren’t just into politics; they were also passionate about making things look grand. The Bahmani Kingdom is often referred to as a Persianate state because of the significant influence of Persian culture. This blend of Indo-Iranian style is also reflected in their Architecture. Bahmanis borrowed their religious architecture from the Tughluqs, and they started building from Gulbarga.
The Royal Tombs of Bahmani Rulers
The tombs at Haft Gumbaz are shaped with hemispherical domes and battering (leaning inwards) walls. The interiors and exteriors are adorned with intricate cut-plaster designs, including decorative bands along the arches. There are 7 tombs in the complex, of which 4 belongs to the bahamani rulers- 1) Tomb of Mujahid Shah (1st tomb built in this complex) 2) Tomb of Daud Shah (who once plotted to bury mujahid shah’s rule, ended up being buried right next to him) 3) Tomb of Ghiyath al-Din and Shams al-Din 4)Tomb of Firuz Shah Bahmani
You’ll find two types of tombs: single chambered and double chambered.
Double Chambered Tomb
The double chambered tomb of Daud Shah and Firuz shah bahamani is the unique feature of haft Gumbaz. It’s like a royal VIP section—one chamber for the king and another for the family. Tomb of Shams al-Din and Ghiyath al-Din, share the same basement. The Tomb of Firuz Shah Bahmani is largest and most significant tomb in this complex. The upper tier showcases double-recessed arches and detailed jali-style patterns, which reflects the fusion of Persion and local architectural influences.
Bahamani Dynasty in Short:
Now, for those who were daydreaming through history class: the Bahamani dynasty ruled the Deccan region between the 14th and 16th centuries. It all started in 1347 when Zafar Khan (or Ala-ud-Din Hasan Bahman Shah) founded the empire. No wonder they left such a legacy behind! Some of their coolest contributions include Gulbarga Fort, Jama Masjid, and of course, the Haft Gumbaz.
What is Deccan Region?
For those who don’t know Deccan region- It’s a triangular shaped plateau in southern India, bordered by the Vindhyas, Western Ghats, and Eastern Ghats.
How to Visit Haft Gumbaz:
If you want to see Haft Gumbaz, how do you get there? It is located at 4.5 km from Kalaburgi railway station and 4.8 km from Kalaburagi Central Bus Stand. Haft Gumbaz is approximately 1.5 km from Kalaburagi Fort. So, if you visit the fort, be sure to also visit the Gumbaz.
Nearby Attractions: Kalaburagi Fort
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References-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahmani_Kingdom
Ncert; Bidar, Its History and Monuments By Ghulam Yazdani
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rajnish-Kumar-32/publication/333646396_SUFISM_AND_ARCHITECTURE_IN_THE_DECCAN_1350-1450/links/5ec4a719458515626cb846f6/SUFISM-AND-ARCHITECTURE-IN-THE-DECCAN-1350-1450.pdf
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view of haft gumbaz
tombs kalaburagi
inside view of tomb
