Pratik

Why Was Fathepur Sikri built ? In Akbars time the site was occupied by a small village of stonecutters and was the home of Shaikh Salim Chishti, a Muslim astrologer and Sufi Saint. In 1568 Akbar visited the Shaikh to ask for the birth of an heir. The Shaikh replied that an heir would be born soon. Sure enough, Akbars wife gave birth to a boy on August 30, 1569. In gratitude, Akbar named the boy Salim after the astrologer, and, two years later decided to move the capital to Sikri.Buland Daraza - Buland Darwazameaning high or great gate inPersian. It is located inFatehpur Sikriwhich is located 43km away fromAgra,India. It is also known as the Gate of Magnificence. Buland Darwaza or the loft adit was built by the great Mughal emperor, Akbar in 1601 A. D. at Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar built the Buland Darwaza to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. 1 Architecture The Buland Darwaza is made of red and buff sandstone, decorated by carving and inlaying of white and black marble and towers ab ove the courtyard of the mosque. The Buland Darwaza is semi octagonal in plan and is topped by pillars andchhatriswith Buland Darwaiosks on the roof, stylized crenelation and small turrets and inlay work of white and black marble. On the outside a long flight of steps sweeps down the hill giving the gateway additional height.A Persian inscription on eastern archway of the Buland Darwaza records Akbars conquest over Gujarat in 1601. It is 40 metres high and 50 metres from the ground. The total height of the social organization is about 54 metres from the ground level. It is a 15-storied high gateway that guards the southern entrance of the city of Fatehpur Sikri. An inscription on the central face of the Buland Darwaza throws light on Akbars religious broad mindedness.