| Shish Gumbad | |
|---|---|
 Shish Gumbad atLodi Gardens | |
| Type | Tomb |
| Location | Lodi Gardens |
| Coordinates | 28°35′37.3884″N77°13′12.6192″E / 28.593719000°N 77.220172000°E /28.593719000; 77.220172000 |
| Built | 1489-1517CE |
| Architectural styles | Islamic &Hindu architecture |
| Governing body | Archaeological Survey of India &NDMC |
| Owner | Government of Delhi |
| Official name | Shish Gumbad |
| Designated | 9 Apr 1936 |
| Reference no. | N-DL-76 |
  Location of Shish Gumbad in Delhi | |
Shish Gumbad ("glazed dome"), also speltShisha Gumbad, is atomb from theLodi dynasty and is thought to have possibly been constructed between 1489 and 1517CE;[1] the historianSimon Digby has argued on the basis of an inscription in the adjoining mosque that it was completed in 1494CE.[2] The Shish Gumbad (glass dome) houses graves, whose occupants are not unequivocally identifiable. Historians have suggested, the structure might have been dedicated either to an unknown family, which was part of the Lodi family and ofSikandar Lodi's court,[3][4][5][6] or toBahlul Lodi (died 12 July 1489) himself, who was chief of theAfghanLodi tribe, founder andSultan of theLodi dynasty of theDelhi Sultanate.[2]
Shish Gumbad is situated in theLodi Gardens inDelhi and the area where the tomb is situated was formally calledvillage Khairpur.[7][8]
The exact date of construction of Shish Gumbad is not known. There are four monuments (tombs) in theLodi Gardens including the Shish Gumbad. The oldest of the four tombs is the tomb of Muhammad Shah (who belonged to theSayyid dynasty). Shah's tomb was constructed in 1444CE byAla-ud-din Alam Shah. During the rule ofSikander Lodi, theBara Gumbad and adjacent mosque were constructed.Sikander Lodi's tomb was built byIbrahim Lodi in 1517. The Shish Gumbad is said to have been constructed between 1489-1517CE byIbrahim Lodi.[8][9][unreliable source?]
Among historians there is no agreement on who the occupants of the graves inside the structure are. The Shish Gumbad might have been dedicated either to an unknown family, which was part of theLodi family and ofSikandar Lodi's court,[3][4][5][6] or toBahlul Lodi (died 12 July 1489) himself, who was chief of theAfghanLodi tribe, and founder andSultan of theLodi dynasty of theDelhi Sultanate.[2][10][11]
Initially, all the monuments were built independently and were not in one confine. In early 20th century, a park was developed which was inaugurated byLady Willingdon on 9 Apr 1936 bringing the four monuments in one confine.[8]
Constructed between 1489-1517 CE, the Shish Gumbad is constructed in a square shape. Using a combination ofbracket andlintel beams, thearchitecture is a blend ofIslamic andIndian architectures. Although the Gumbad has an external semblance of spanning two floors, the structure is in fact only one floor. The western wall of the Gumbad consists ofmihrab which also served as amosque. The main chamber of the monument measures 10 square metres (108 sq ft).[12][13]
The ceiling is decorated with plaster work that contains Quranic inscriptions and floral designs. The monument was originally decorated with blueenamelled tiles that shined like glass. The Gumbad hence got its name "Shish Gumbad". The blue tile embellishment presently only remains on top of the main frontage in traces.
The Shish Gumbad is located in and is a part of the Lodi Gardens inDelhi, India. The village where the monument stands was previously calledKhairpur. The garden is bounded byAmrita Shergill Marg in the West, North-West and North, Max Mueller Marg on the East andLodi Road on the South Side. Safdarjang Tomb is situated on the South-West corner of the Lodi Garden.
