<p>Buland Darwaza is a monumental gateway built in red and buff sandstone with white and black marble inlay details. The structure stands on the southern edge of the mosque complex at Fatehpur Sikri and is approached by a long, steep flight of 42 broad stone steps rising from ground level to the entrance platform. Standing as it does on a short cliff, the southern side from the bottom of the steps to the top is nearly 55m, while it rises only 40m above the courtyard on the north.</p><p>The gateway itself is symmetrical and extremely tall, with a central arched opening recessed deep into the façade. The main arch is a high pointed arch, framed by a large rectangular border that projects slightly outward from the wall surface. This projection, along with the chamfered edges on the south-east and south-west give it a hexagonal profile, instead of a rectangular one. The two chamfered edges feature two tiers of arches, with a balcony with railings separating the two. Within the main arch are several smaller recessed arches arranged in tiers, creating depth and layered geometry. Each of the spandrels features a decorative medallion.</p><p>The façade is divided vertically into three visible sections: a massive central block and slightly lower wings on either side. The walls are constructed primarily of dark reddish sandstone, while decorative borders, inscriptions, and geometric accents are picked out in pale marble. Quranic calligraphy bands run horizontally and vertically around the entrance arch in contrasting white stone. The corners of the gateway are emphasized by tall tapering buttress-like towers that rise slightly above the roofline. These towers are segmented by horizontal bands and topped with smaller domed chhatris.</p><p>At the top of the gateway in the front is a line of 13 small domed kiosks, or chhatris, each supported on slender columns. There are seven evenly spaced chhatris on top of the gateway, three along the front face, and two each on the chamfered sides. These chhatris are capped with rounded domes. Between them runs a crenellated parapet wall with repeating battlement shapes.</p><p>The staircase leading to the gateway is very wide and composed of shallow stone steps extending across nearly the full width of the structure. The steps create a pyramidal foreground effect, narrowing visually toward the top.</p><p>The entrance passage beneath the central arch is vaulted and shadowed, with smaller side niches and carved stone panels visible along the inner walls. Heavy wooden doors with metal studs are set inside the recessed opening.</p><p>Behind the gateway lies the large courtyard of the mosque complex. The courtyard is an open rectangular stone-paved space surrounded by arcaded cloisters.</p><p>The most striking structure in the courtyard is the tomb of <strong>Salim Chisti</strong>. It stands on a slightly raised stone plinth, with a few low steps leading up to a surrounding veranda. It stands closer to the northern wall than the center. It is constructed primarily of white marble, creating a sharp contrast against the surrounding red sandstone buildings of the mosque complex. The plan is primarily square with a portico on the south.</p><p>Around all four sides runs a deep veranda enclosed by finely carved marble lattice screens, or jalis. These screens are composed of geometric and floral patterns carved through the stone, forming delicate perforated panels. The jalis are divided into rectangular sections by thin marble columns and frames.</p><p>The main entrance projects slightly outward and is marked by a shallow porch supported on carved marble pillars. The doorway itself is rectangular, framed with bands of dark stone inlay and calligraphic decoration. The wooden door panels are covered with intricate geometric carvings and metal fittings.</p><p>The roofline is flat around the edges but crowned at the center by a large white marble dome. The dome is hemispherical, slightly bulbous in shape, and rises from a circular drum. At the top sits a metal finial composed of stacked ornamental forms tapering upward to a pointed tip.</p><p>At each corner of the roof stands a small domed kiosk, or chhatri, supported by slender columns. These corner chhatris are smaller than the central dome and have cupola-like roofs.</p><p>The veranda roof is supported by carved marble columns with bracketed capitals. The columns are thin and evenly spaced, producing a rhythmic arcade around the tomb chamber. Beneath the veranda roof runs a projecting stone eave, or chhajja, supported by carved brackets.</p><p>Inside the central chamber is the saint’s cenotaph placed roughly in the middle of the room. The cenotaph is made of white marble with raised edges and intricate inlay work. Around it hangs a canopy-like framework and decorative coverings. The chamber floor is marble, laid in geometric patterns.</p><p>The Jama Masjid occupies the western wall of the complex. The main prayer hall stretches horizontally across the western edge of the courtyard. Its façade is symmetrical and dominated by a large central entrance arch rising above the roofline. This central arch is tall, recessed, and pointed in shape, framed within a rectangular sandstone border decorated with white marble inlay and carved geometric patterns.</p><p>On either side of the main arch are rows of smaller pointed arches forming open arcades. These arches are evenly spaced and supported by thick square sandstone pillars. The arcade creates a long horizontal rhythm across the façade.</p><p>Above the central section rises a large hemispherical dome made of white marble. The dome sits on a circular drum and is topped with a metal finial. Flanking the central dome are two smaller domes positioned symmetrically along the roofline. Small chhatris line sections of the roof parapet. These kiosks are supported on slender columns and topped with rounded cupolas.</p><p>The central entrance leads into the main prayer chamber, which contains multiple aisles divided by rows of pillars and arches. The interior walls are decorated with carved panels, geometric designs, floral motifs, and Quranic inscriptions. The mihrab niche is recessed into the western wall and framed by elaborate carving and inlay work.</p><p>A domed structure on the northern wall houses has the tombs of Salim Chisti's descendents, as well as a religious school.</p><p>The eastern wall of the complex is bisected by the King's gate, from which a short pathway leads up to the royal quarters and administrative buildings of Fatehpur Sikri.</p><p>A large octagonal step-well is situated just outside the southern wall on the west.</p>