squinches supported by groined pendentives while outside the building is supported by domed octagonal corner towers. The Dome is the second largest one in the world which is unsupported by any pillars. The acoustics of the enclosed place make it a whispering gallery where even the smallest sound is heard across the other side of the Gumbaz. At the periphery of the dome is a circular balcony where visitors can witness the astounding whispering gallery. Any whisper, clap or sound gets echoed around 7 times. Anything whispered from one corner of the gallery can be heard clearly on the diagonally opposite side. It is also said that the Sultan, Ibrahim Adil Shah and his Queen used to converse in the same manner. During his time, the musicians used to sing, seated in the whispering gallery so that the sound produced could reach every corner of the hall. One can easily make out the restoration carried out on the structure by comparing the photographs. The surroundings have been converted into a splendid garden and the site is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Gongbei The word "gonbad" was borrowed into Chinese as "gongbei", where it refers to Islamic tombs (originally, domed). See also Architecture of Iran Architecture of Turkey Architecture of Azerbaijan Türbe References Further reading For a philosophical discussion of the dome in traditional architecture of Persia, see "Sense of Unity" by Nader Ardalan and Laleh Bakhtiar, External links Pictures of Döner Kümbet Pictures of the Kümbet of Halime Hatun Architecture in Iran Islamic architectural elements Architecture in Turkey Persian words and phrases Tombs Iranian inventions