Q. With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements:

1. White marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri.
2. Red Sandstone and marble were used in making Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza in Lucknow.

Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?

• 1 only
• 2 only
• Both 1 and 2
• Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Buland Darwaza:

• The Buland Darwaza, a famous Mughal architectural monument is located in Fatehpur Sikri.
• Mughal Emperor Akbar founded Buland Darwaza to celebrate his victory over Gujarat. It means “door to victory” and It was constructed in 1601 A.D.
  • Fatehpur Sikri was a once-blooming capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar till 1585,
  • Fatehpur Sikri was formerly known as Fatehabad which is derived from the Persian word Fatah meaning victory.
• Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world and is an example of Mughal architecture. It displays sophistication and heights of technology in Akbar’s empire.
• Architecture:
  • The Buland Darwaza is made of red and buff sandstone, and is higher than the courtyard of the mosque.
  • 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, stylised 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 gateway additional height.
  • It is 40 meters high and 51 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. There are smaller turrets surrounding the gateway. The expanse is broken by arched niches, small laudas, and marbles which highlights the courtyard of the Jama Masjid. The principal arch stands in the centre of three projecting sides and topped by a dome. The central arch is broken into three tiers with rows of smaller arches and flat brackets.

Khanqah of Sheikh Salim Chishti

• The Khanqah of Sheikh Salim Chishti, a religious compound built to commemorate the saint who predicted the birth of Akbar’s son Jahangir, is located within the quadrangle of the Jama Masjid in Fatehpur Sikri.
• Considered one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India, the mausoleum was built during the years 1580 and 1581 by Akbar, along with the imperial complex at Fatehpur Sikri near Zenana Rauza.

Bara Imamabara:

• It was built by Asaf-ud-Daula, Nawab of Awadh in 1784 and is located in Lucknow.
• There is no woodwork in the entire structure.
• The roof has been put together with interlocking bricks without using a beam or a girder.
• The imambara building is among the grandest buildings of Lucknow, and is a Monument of National Importance, administered by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Rumi Darwaza:

• It was built in the year 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-daula and is located in Lucknow.
• The material used for the darwaza is bricks and its then coated with lime.
• It is adjacent to the Asafi Imambara, Teele Wali Masjid and used to mark the entrance to Old Lucknow.