Buland Darwaza, the triumphal Gateway,

was erected by Akbar in 1601 in

commemoration of his victory over
Khandesh and Ahmednagar in Southern
India. Buland Darwaza is the greatest
monumental structure of Akbars entire
reign. Even now it has no parallel and is the
largest, loftiest and most stately in the whole
of India. In its own class, it is one of the
greatest in the world. Here, marble and
sandstone have been used in effective
combination in its decoration, which only the masons of the Mughal period knew. The inlaid marble
work in the arches and the Hindu style of architecture in the gallery above the entrance are worth a
visit. The total height of the Gate above the pavement is 176 ft.
The great gate itself is quite plain. The three horizontal panels of buff stone noticeable in Badshahi
Darwaza are also present here. The plain red sandstone spandrels are framed n white marble with a
flower like ornament inlaid in white marble at the apex of the arch, and a flattish rosette, centered
with the narrow panel above it, on either side. The cusped ornament, large and bold in fact, but small
and delicate when seen from below, is carried down below the springing of the arch. Two pieces
have been broken off from the left hand side and eight from the right.
Visitors to the Gate will find that up to several feet beyond human reach, the door is covered with
horseshoes of other draft cattle. Popularly, they are believed to have been stuck on the Gate for luck
by simple devoted peasants to seek the blessings, of Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. The practice of a
similar nature is still current, of tying threads or pieces of cloth to the screens in the Sheikhs tomb
for the fulfillment of vows particularly by barren women.
Passing through the central hall and admiring the fine proportion of the dome covering it, and the
bold medallion painted in the centre, one emerges into the courtyard of the mosque, under the
dome. Doorways open on either side onto the southern cloister.