Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 2.djvu/315

 CHAP. IX. BIJAPUR. 271 more than the usual size of a mediaeval cathedral. It is more remarkable, however, for the beauty of its details than either the arrangement or extent of its plan. Each of the squares into which it is divided is roofed by a dome of very beautiful form, but so flat (Woodcut No. 412) as to be concealed externally in the thickness of the roof. Twelve of these squares are occupied in the centre by the great dome, 57 ft. in diameter in the circular part, but standing on a square measuring 70 ft. each way. The dimensions of this dome were immensely exceeded afterwards by that which covers the tombof Muhammad constructed on the same plan and 1 24 ft. in diameter ; but the smaller dimensions here employed enabled the architect to 4 i 2. Plan and section of smaller use taller and more graceful outlines, and do es. of J^ 1 "' M ^ s J id - . f, , , , , , , b . Scale 50 ft to i in. if he had had the courage to pierce the niches at the base of his dome, and make them into windows, he would probably have had the credit of designing the most graceful building of its class in existence. 413- Section on the line A B through the Great Dome of the Jami' Masjid. (From a Drawing by Mr Gumming.) Scale 50 ft. to i in. At the east corners of the court two minars were to have been erected, but only that on the north was properly begun ; and, at a later date, the court was extended 95 ft. eastwards, and a large gateway constructed in the centre of the front, together with part of an arcade on the south of it. If the plan of this mosque is compared with that of Kulbarga