Fatehpur Sikri - Buland Darwaza

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Buland Darwaza

History Situated in the fort city of Fatehpur Sikri, Buland Darwaza is one of the many beautiful Mughalian monuments the city has. Meaning 'high' or 'great' gate in Persian, the Buland Darwaza is located 43 km away from Agra, the main city. Famed as the "Gate of Magnificence", Buland Darwaza was constructed in 1601 A.D. by the great Mughal Emperor, Akbar to honour his victory over Gujarat, or Khandesh in 1573.  An architectural beauty, the Buland Darwaza is made with red and buff sandstone, along with carvings and inlaying of black and white marble plus towers above the courtyard of the mosque situated inside. The monument is semi-octagonal in design and has pillars and chhatris on its top, along with Buland Darwaiosks on the roof, stylized fortification and small steeples.  On the exterior, an extended flight of steps runs down the hill giving the gateway a supplementary height. A Persian inscription is also present on its eastern portico recording Akbar's conquest over Gujarat. Buland Darwaza precisely has a height of about 54 meters from the ground level and is a 15-storied elevated gateway that protects the southern entry of the city of Fatehpur Sikri.

Best time to visit The best time to visit the Buland Darwaza is between November and March when the temperature is moderate.

Trivia On the key entrance of the monument is present an Islamic inscription written in Persian, which reads as "Isa (Jesus), son of Mary said: '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’”. This shows on the very central face of the Buland Darwaza that how broadminded was Akbar.

Timing It is open daily from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.