गुंबद

Meaning

A dome, cupola, vault, or spherical roof.

Detailed Meaning

In architecture, it refers to a vaulted, rounded roof or dome. Metaphorically in Persian and Urdu poetry, it frequently denotes the celestial sphere or the vault of heaven, as in 'gumbad-e-garduun' (the dome of the spinning sky). In the given couplet, it represents the fragile, illusory ceiling of the cosmos that human will can shatter.

Etymology

Persian (گنبد - gumbad), originally from Middle Persian / Pahlavi gumbat, meaning a dome, vault, or tower.

Usage

In classical Urdu ghazal, 'gumbad' is frequently paired with adjectives of sky or fate to symbolize the oppressive, spinning vault of the heavens or an echo chamber of human lamentation.

Examples

Synonyms

Related Words