Buland Darwaza, Victory gate in Fatehpur Sikri, India.
Buland Darwaza is a gate building made of red and buff sandstone in Fatehpur Sikri, Agra district, India. The structure rises 54 meters (177 feet) above ground level and displays elaborate marble inlays and Persian inscriptions across its facade.
Emperor Akbar commissioned this entrance in 1601 to celebrate his military success over the kingdom of Gujarat. The work took twelve years to finish and the gate became the tallest of its kind across India.
The name translates to Gate of Victory and commemorates a military campaign in Gujarat. Visitors today see Persian verses and Arabic calligraphy set in marble above the passage, showing how Islamic and Indian design merged during this period.
Visitors must climb 42 steps to reach the main entrance, which can be tiring in warm weather. The gate opens daily from 8 AM to 7 PM, with separate ticket prices for domestic and international guests.
The structure stands as the tallest gate of its kind in India and took twelve years to build. The height of 54 meters (177 feet) was a technical challenge for the time and required special knowledge in working with sandstone.
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