Gate of magnificence

          On our visit to the imperial palaces of Mughal Empire in India, we preferred to start the day tour with Fatehpur-Sikri, Agra. The journey to the Fatehpur Sikri ended as we reached at the Buland Darwaja or the gate of magnificence. It was unbelievable for me to experience the Buland Darwaja in reality. The legacy of Mughal architecture was standing before me, with its strapping feature, like an undefeatable fortress. The beauty of the mighty doorway made me spell bound instantaneously, and compelled to look upright to gaze the unfathomable firmness of the great Mughal emperor Akbar. I was simply elated by its architectural uniqueness, and kept starring towards the unbeatable look of the doorway. The beauty was truly magnetizing like the huge heart of an emperor, and the impetus dragged me spontaneously as I began my walk to the door way. The marvelous calligraphic decoration, with mesmerizing view of the surrounding was a matter of recurrent joy that reached at its peak as I reached at the main entrance of Buland Darwaja.

Buland Darwaza, Agra

              Everything was so huge to envisage the personality of great Mughal emperor Akbar. Buland Darwaja is also the entrance to the cluster of fascinating Mughal architectural examples as well as like a complete chapter of history that introduces us with many noble characters of the Mughal emperor Akbar. It was an incredible at the same time a thrilling experience too, to capture the unbinding view of the surrounding landscape in my roving eyes. Like the resolute determination of its creator, everything appeared insignificant from Buland Darwaja, and the entire world was literally at my feet.

Buland Darwaza, Agra

       

             The mighty doorway Buland Darwaja, was constructed by the Mughal emperor Akbar to mark his victory over Gujarat and construction of Buland Darwaja was completed in 1601. The coastal cities of Gujarat lured the Mughals especially to pursue the sea trade, and ironically the East India Company of Britain also first time arrived in India through the port of Surat, Gujarat, on 24 August, 1600.(Source: Freedom at Midnight by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre) So, erection of Buland Darwaja was made at the juncture that also marks the initiation of the Mughal decline as well as beginning of British dominion in India and Gujarat is associated with this transition.

Agra fort, an immortal creation

The surrounding environment appeared like dozing under the red stone drape in sweltering midday, as we were approaching to the premises of Agra fort. The radiated heat from the gigantic structures could be felt even from the farthest part of the premises. The mammoth structure of Agra fort came into the sight like a heat erupting volcano. It was inexplicably very hot. Immediately after our vehicle stopped, we were thronged by the tourist guides, some of them were even child and still confident enough to escort us. It was a confusing situation as I overheard a thrown word from a tourist, “no more guides”.

Agra fort

                Leaving behind the group of tour guides, we started our walk towards the Agra fort. The UNESCO world heritage site of Agra fort was in front of us like an upright symbol of masculinity, power, courage and strength. The apparently silent premises of Agra fort was likely to wake up any time with the entry of the marching band of insidious soldiers, churning dust and displaying their blood stained swords. I was inundated by the interesting anecdotes of history associated with the fort, the history of transformation of Badalgarh fort of the Rajputs to the present Red fort of Agra of the Mughals. To me, it is a fascinating remainder of the jubilant kings and emperors who dared to enjoy the possession of the fort with their indomitable courage and with the power of their sword. Agra fort is a place, where time has written numerous history of invasion, stories of great warriors and paved their way to achieve immortality. To me Agra fort is a centre of power, an exciting example of Mughal architecture, a place where art and architecture got new dimensions under the patronage of great Mughal emperors, and a jail where a great emperor passed his last days looking towards his immortal creation.

Agra fort

The memorable journey through the palaces of the emperors came to an end with an approaching dusk. Afar from the Agra fort the Sun was slowly setting down like a huge fireball.

Agra fort