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.

Throne of a maestro

Anoop Talao, Fatehpur Sikri

It was too hot and the remorseless heat of the Sun was playing Raag Deepak in the entire premises of Fatehpur Sikri, Agra. Sweltered by the mid day Sun, in the array of red sandstone edifices of Fatehpur Sikri, we were avidly listening to the superficial anecdotes of history from our guide, sagas of sheen of the desolate royal premise that was deserted due to dearth of water by Emperor Akbar, just fourteen years after its construction. My vision leapt on abundantly spread examples of applauding craftsmanship of Mughal architecture on the royal buildings of Fatehpur Sikri. Exposed under the infuriating radiation in the glade, I was transfixed and got dragged to architecture that appeared like an oasis in the arid desert, with four walkways built on a tiny lake attached to a square platform at the centre and nicely carved red sandstone trellis abutting the precincts.

Anoop Talao, Fatehpur Sikri

It was Anoop Talao, the seat of royal vocalist in the court of Akbar. Emerged like a throne of a legendry maestro of Hindustani classical music, Tansen. Where he kindled incandescent flame of classical music through his unique compositions and vocally portrayed fascinating shades of changing nature and made the treasure of Hindustani Classical music wealthier. Tansen, was a gift to the court of Akbar from the king of Rewa and adorably called Mian by the emperor. Listened by his greatest admirer Emperor Akbar from Khwabgah or emperor`s rest room, Anoop Talao was said to have dazzled with the glint of countless Gold and Silver coins.

The deserted seat of the legendry performer appeared to me like a poignant listener of wailing wind, the seat that witnessed Tansen to electrify his royal audience through his compositions or witnessed rain to overpower the incense of gleaming Sun brought by Mian ki Malhar.