Buland Darwaza , the Great gate also known as the “Gate of Magnificence” is located in Fatehpur Sikri. Built by the great Mughal emperor Akbar in 1601 AD at Fatehpur Sikri, the Buland Darwaza was built to commemorate the victory over Gujarat.
Made of red and buff sandstone, embellished by white and black marble, a tower standing above the courtyard of the mosque, the BulandDarwaza is a historical monument that stands tall as an architectural splendor. The Buland Darwaza has a symmetrical plan, it comprises of large free standing kiosks called Chattris or umbrellas.
The total height of the structure is about 54 meters from the ground level. It is a 15 storied high gateway guarding the south entrance of the city of Father Sikri.
A Persian inscription on Eastern archway of the Buland Darwaza records Akbar’s victory over Uttar Pradesh. The inscription on the central face of the Buland Darwaza showcases how broad minded Akbar was about religion. The building took 12 years to build.
On the main gate you will find an interesting Islamic inscription that’s written in Persian and reads about what Jesus, son of Mary said. The inscription is about hoping for eternity and spending time in prayer. It reads as “the world is a Bridge, pass over it, but build no houses upon it. He, who hopes for a day, may hope for eternity; but the World endures but an hour. Spend it in prayer for the rest is unseen.'”
Around the Buland Darwaza there are also other interesting monuments that praise and earn applaud for the magnificent architectural craftsmanship of the Mughal period. The famous wonder of the world- Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Jama Masjid, Tomb of SalimChisti, Ibadat Khana, Mariam-Uz-Zamani , Naubat Khana and more monumental attractions are in close vicinity to the Buland Darwaza making your tour an interesting one.
The Buland Darwaza today might seem to be less maintained. Honeycombs formed in some places of the Darwaza might give that aspect away easily. The magnificent gate stands 5o meters from the ground. There are several steps that lead to the 40 meter high structure. The long fleet of steps adds to the height ofthe Darwaza.
The Buland Darwaza is a 15 storey high gateway guarding the southern entrance of the city of Fatehpur Sikri. The terrace edge has gallery kioskson the roof, there are stylized buckler battlements, miniature minar spires, inlay work that are absolutely illuminating with white and black marble.
The Buland Darwaza stands as a magnificent example of artistic creativity. This magnificent gate leaves all eyes wide open simply for its grandiloquent appeal, gigantic size, intricate artistry, calligraphy and beautiful religious inscriptions. The Buland Darwaza is one amongst many niche works of art that adds feather to the architectural splendor of Mughal architecture.
The decoration seen on the exteriors are considered amongst the finest in Mughal architecture. Stucco, paint, stone inlays and carvings have been used to embellish the exteriors. Passages from Quran have been used as decorative elements. Abdul Haq was the calligrapher who was responsible for the creation of calligraphy on Taj Mahal.
The Plinth, minarets, gateway, mosque and the surfaces have abstract form used on them throughout. The interior chamber of the TajMahal has traditional decorative elements. Use of jali screen has been made leading to the Cenotaph. Semi-precious and precious stones were used to embellish the inlay.
The tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal at the underground level besides each other leaves your heart with grief but also wondering about a love story that was deep and so true that it lead to the making of a monument for generations to see love lives longer than life itself in the form of art.
