Buland Darwaaza and the tomb of Salim Chisti

Before you begin reading, go to the first segment of the story, From Glory to Abandonment.
If you have read that one, continue the journey with Jodhabai’s Palace.

Entering the main square of the fort again from Jodhabai's Palace, the guide took us through another doorway that leads to the Dargah of Salim Chisti. It opened up into another grand quadrangle where a white Dargah stood shining brightly under the sun. But what took away the view was the enormous entrance on the left. The Buland Darwaaza towered boldly, narrating its own dignified story to the world.

We made our way to the Dargah first. It was a humble-looking complex designed in Mughal architecture. Surrounded by the red sandstones, the white marble structure stood out in its surroundings. The walls were loaded with heavy carving work that appeared as an embroidered net instead of Marble. It was commendable how the artisans worked their magic on this material. The Dargah could be considered as the only complex that is working since the time it was built.

The guide took us inside and began the story of the shrine.

The shrine is built in honour of Salim Chisti, the successor of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti of Ajmer. It is believed that the saint foretold the birth of Akbar's son and the future Mughal Emperor, who was also named after the saint, Salim. The Sufi saint lived in a cavern on a small hill in Sikri. After offering our blessings, the guide took us to the Buland Darwaaza. It was just past four in the evening, and the crowd was starting to gather around the Jama Masjid. This courtyard, like the rest of the fort, has tall cloisters that run around the corner. They seem to be built for travellers or the pilgrims and the devotees to take a few moments of rest. Today, many artisans and several hawkers and vendors occupied the sitting area marketing their art to the visitors. One of the artists displayed stoned carved, jali work elephants, owls, and many other animals.

Reaching the Buland Darwaaza and looking up at its top felt like looking at a skyscraper. The story of this grand gate goes back to a battle fought over Gujarat where the Emperor won. In his honour, the masons added a little more designs at the top, entitling it as the highest built entrance during its time.