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| Monumental gate, Buland Darwaza Fatehpur Sikri |
India, a multi-language and multicultural country, has innumerable monuments built by various dynasties dating as far back as 1500 years. This country, where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, etc were born, every monument of antiquity is an epitome of architectural elegance and amazing improvisation native to this land. Colonial structures, Hindu temples, Jain temples, Buddhist temples and Islamic buildings of yore are repository of India's rich culture and tradition highlighting unity despite diversity. In india though there are many gateway monuments only three are worth mentioning. They are 01. The Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri (1573), near Agra 02. The Gate Way of India (1924) in Apollo Bondar, Mumbai and the Rumi Darwaza (1764) of Lucknow Among them, Buland Dharwaza built by Mogul ruler Akbar is an impressive and awe-inspiring monument near Agra.
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| 1784 Rumi Darwaza Lucknow en. wikipedia.org |
Above image: The 60 ft tall Rumi Darwaza in Lucknow, UP that was the main gateway to the Bara Imambara was built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula of in 1784. It is in between between Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara and is a fine example of Awadhi architecture. Reeling under famine, the humane Nawab, instead of giving dole to the people, ingeniously introduced food-for-work program to keep his subjects free from hunger. The Rumi Darwaza that has design features similar to an ancient gateway at Constantinople is also known as the “Turkish Gateway”. The word Rumi means Roman, and the name implies gateway’ s design is similar Roman architecture. Rich in stucco ornamentation, instead of marbles and stones, brick and lime were primarily used by the local masons to build a fine structure with minute details. Clay balusters were set on iron rods for durability. Diligently, pottery was used for roof finials and ornaments. .......
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| The Gateway of India, Mumbai. discover.hubpages.com |
Above image: The Gateway of India, Mumbai. - a colonial monument built on the reclaimed land on the shore at from the Arabian Sea. It is 85 feet high and the structure is built at Apollo Bunder area, South of Mumbai, a popular spot for the people. Made of Basaltic rock from the Deccan region, the big arched structure is a symbol of imperial supremacy. A good example of Indo-Saracenic design the structure has 26 meters high archway. It was based on the Arch of Triumph in Paris. It was built to commemorate the visit of the British King George V and Queen Mary to the city of Bombay in December 1911. They were on the way to Delhi to attend the Delhi Durbar. Architect George Wittet carefully included design elements native to Gujarat and completed the work in 1924. The foundation stone for the Gateway was laid on 31 March 1913 by then Governor of Bombay, Sir George Sydenham Clarke. During that time of British Raj (rule), the Viceroys and Governors landed here upon their India visit. Paradoxically, they departed for their home land through the same gate when India was free from the British yoke. The gate symbolizes the slow decline of British Imperialism.................
The following are the important features of Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri, UP:
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| Buland Darwaza Fatehpur Sikri lifeonweekends.com |
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| Buland Darwaza Fatehpur Sikri dreamstime.com |
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| Buland Darwaza. flickr.com |
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| Buland Darwaza Fatehpur Sikri dreamstime.com |
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| Buland Darwaza. flickr.com |
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| chhatries atop. Buland Darwaza Fatehpur Sikri welcomenri.com |
02. Designed in the Hindu Persian style of architecture, the Buland Darwaza was the royal southern entrance to Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti’s exquisite marble shrine at Fatehpur Sikri which is a deserted town 43 km from Agra City, India.
03. This historic gateway also serves as the entrance to the Jama Masjid. Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist destinations of India.
04. The inspiration for the design of Buland Darwaza was apparently based on Timurid architecture and Humayun’s Tomb. This structure was conceived by Akbar to give more importance to his link with the Sufi saint than to celebrate his victory over Gujarat. Inscription in Quranic verses in marble suggest paradise for the true believers. The entrance into a khanqah, ''a complex intended for meditation and devotion.” Akbar's philosophical connotation can not be ignored.
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| Buland Darwaza. pic fair.com |
05. In the white marble mausoleum of saint Chisti, the naqqashi (the art of engraving was popular in the 18th century in the northern India) and jaali work, and the pillars supporting the chajja (sunshade) bring out the elegance of Mogul architecture.
06. Akbar with no issues came to Sikri to seek the saint’s blessings for an heir to the throne. Soon he was blessed with three sons. The first one was named Salim in honor of the saint. This made Akbar to develop Sikri into a self contained town and build a masjid at Sikri. He used to visit this site to have spiritual and philosophical discussion with the Sufi saint in times of anguish and desperation.
07. The masjid has expansive yard close to the gate which has patterned niches and well-designed arches. The rosette features that dot the central arch, the three openings of the central arch boxed by richly ornamental panels and the motiff on the walls, a blend of Hindu, Persian design, showcase the rich talents of the artisans who made them possible. The central arch has three tiers with rows of smaller arches and flat brackets
08. In the small dark room on one side of the tomb are the graves of the male members of Salim Chishti’s family.
09. The pillars at the entrance carry inscriptions from the Holy Quran and the calligraphy is quite impressive and signature motif of the Mughal Emperors.
10. Made of dressed red and buff colored sandstone, white and black marble, the monument has semi-octagonal plan and is flat topped with numerous chhatris all along the outer edge of the structure. Chhatris on the facade are much bigger than those at other places. Chhatri is a common feature in the Rajasthani buildings and ornamental chhatris are quite famous.
11. The top is embellished with calligraphic inscriptions from the Quran. There are as many as thirteen smaller domed kiosks on the roof, stylized battlement and small turrets and inlay work of white and black marble - all these augment the splendor of this gate..
12. The facade has the look of an entrance whereas the back part of the structure is plain and has three tall arches and is in the mosque courtyard.
13. Buland Darwaza that dates back to 1573 has the rare distinction of being the tallest gateway not only in India, but also in the whole world rising to a height of 15 story building as one will find in a downtown area of a city.
14. A paradise for the building designers and architects, the gateway that guards the southern entrance of the city of Fatehpur Sikri, came up in grand style to commemorate Akbar's victory over Khandesh (now part of Gujarat). It was built by Muhammad of Ghazani and it took almost 12 years to complete the structure. Fatehpur Sikri was an important place during the reign of Akbar and Agra was his capital city.
15. A Persian inscription on eastern arch way of the Buland Darwaza records Akbar's conquest over Deccan in 1601 CE.
16. An interesting feature of the Buland Dharwaza is on the central face an inscription displays Akbar's secular attitude. It is about Jesus Christ; “Isa [Jesus], Son of Maryam said: "The World is but a bridge, pass over but build no houses on 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.''
17. This inscription in Persian in a subtle manner reflects on the transient nature of the world and advises the people to turn to spirituality.
18. Fatehpur Sikri has many other beautiful monuments, but the Buland Darwaza is the most impressive one built with right planning, great dedication and passion.
19. According to professor Rezavi the Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri is “the most iconic architectural accomplishment of Akbar. It incorporates almost all the essential features of Akbar’s architectural traditions: red sandstone, stone carvings, relief by inserting white marble, etc.”
20. Emperor had to abandon the town because of looming water scarcity in the late 1500.
21. Symbolic of Mogul architectural finesse, this grand gateway is believed to be one among the best in the world, according to the UNESCO. The magnificent entry no doubt, showcases the excellence of Mughal design that never fails to blend the Hindu design elements with those of Persian.
https://www.navrangindia.in/2014/11/buland-darwaza-fatehpur-sikri-india.html
https://lifeonweekends.com/2017/01/11/buland-darwaza/
https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/gateway-to-medieval-era/article7389285.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/travel/a-little-mughal-magic/article5225266.ece
https://www.wondersindia.in/2021/06/buland-darwazasymbol-of-victoriousdoor.html
