Buland Darwaza, 'High Gate'; or the "Door of victory, "built-in 1602 A.D. by Mughal emperor Akbar, is the main entrance to the Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri, 43 km from Agra, India. Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the World and is an example of Mughal architecture. It displays the sophistication and heights of technology in Akbar's empire. The Buland Darwaza is made of red and buff sandstone, decorated by white and black marble, and is higher than the mosque's courtyard. The Buland Darwaza is symmetrical and is topped by large free-standing kiosks, which are the chhatris. It also has terrace edge gallery kiosks on the roof, stylized buckler-battlements, small minor spires, and inlay work with white and black marble. On the outside, a long flight of steps sweeps down the hill giving the additional gateway height. It is 40 meters high and 50 meters from the ground. The total height of the structure is about 54 meters from the ground level. It is a 15-storied high gateway acting as the southern entrance of the city of Fatehpur Sikri. The approach to the Gate consists of 42 steps. It is semi-octagonal in plan with two smaller triple-storeyed wings on either side. It has three kiosks on its top, surrounded by thirteen smaller domed kiosks. Smaller turrets are surrounding the gateway. The expanse is broken by arched niches, small chhatris, and marbles that highlight the Jama Masjid courtyard. The principal arch stands in the center of three projecting sides and is topped by a dome. The central arch is broken into three tiers with rows of smaller arches and flat brackets. The great Gate itself is plain. The three horizontal panels of buff stone noticeable in Badshahi Darwaza are also present here. The simple red sandstone spandrels are framed in white marble with a flower-like ornament inlaid in white marble at the arch's apex and a flattish rosette centered with the narrow panel above its side. The arch has three actual openings bordered by decorative panels and superimposed by three other arched openings crowned by a semi-dome. The total height of the Gate above the pavement is 176 ft. On the main gateway, an Islamic inscription written in Persian reads, "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.'" Jesus was advising his followers not to consider the World as a permanent home and hope for worldly things, as human life is short.
