Jahangir gate or Southern Main Entrance Gate, Akbar’s Tomb, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Agra tour is always exciting for me and never feel comfortable with respect to time because every monument is so attractive and of historical significance, that I don’t wish to leave. I always avoid the cursory glance and I like to inspect until I am satisfied. Well, now I was at the entrance of the main attraction i.e. the tomb of the great Mughal emperor Akbar. Which is a symbol of grandeur and pride of Mughals. This gate is also known as Jahangiri gate and Welcome gate.
As this gate was built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir and the calligraphy work was done in the main tomb by the Abdul Haque later titled Amanat Khan. According to the designs which were finalized by emperor Akbar in his life time as the work of this tomb was commenced by Akbar himself in 1600 AD. Remaining works were completed by Jahangir from 1605 AD to 1613 AD.
This lofty gate correspond to the Buland Darwaza which was built by emperor Akbar in Fatehpur Sikri. This is built on an elevated red sand stone’s platform. Platform’s vertical surfaces are having red stone’s panels borderd with buffed color stone’s strips. Edge of the platform is carved. To access the platform stone’s steps flight and about 6’ archway built by red stone and having a pointed arch, blossomed lotus, topped with two narrow and small minaret; upper border is carved with floral motifs. This gate is known as Salute Door to pay homage to the great emperor as while entering head falls little forward. It has an excellent role which I will mention in next post.
Facade is masterly crafted in all respects. Iwan arch is pointed and center at ground floor is having archway and above this archway another arch on the first floor which is balcony with red stone’s railings. Sunk vertical surface is decorated with flowers design by inlay work of white marble or the Akbar’s period Pietra Dura. This surface has an engraved Quranic inscription of 67th chapter Sovereignty Kingdom for the prevention of punishment in grave, in a close white Marble’s arcaded double band. It’s remarkably ornamented. Iwan’s top at the roof level on corners rectangular umbrellas with white marble’s hipped roof with series of finials. Either sides two-two arcaded balconies with stone’s railings, and sunk vertical surfaces having arched niches, stone’s screens; and doors. Complete vertical surface is splendid with the work of Pietra Dura inlay work of white marble, slate stone, yellow colored stones and red stone. Eastern and Western sides are having arcaded balconies on both the floors with railings, niches, doors, stone screens and all the four corners of the massive gate are having octagonal shape ornamented with coloured stones inlaid work, and from the roof level they are converted into cylindrical or circular Minarets of white marble, it was the superb introduction latter same pattern of white marble Minarets built in Taj Mahal. These are three storeyed, facilitated with staircases, balconies and railings at the intervels. Crowned with octagonal umbrellas and domes are supported by pillars decorated with inverted lotus at the center and elongated finials in the center. Below domes hanging supported by projected pillar capitals, balconies are also supported by stone brackets. Southern and Northern faces are the magnificent facades as the face, facing to the tomb is having minor differences in, inlay work. Geometrical designs are significant along with the turret styled parapet. Once we enter in the main gateway it offers a Naubat Khana theme. It’s an octagonal grand Hall where staircases are merged in the four corners. Here a buffed colored stone’s band bordered with red stone above the ground floor arches top runs, which has the Persian inscriptions.
It’s a classical monument displays the finest example of Mughal Architecture and it’s a major attraction among the history buffs, art and architecture lovers.
Jahangir Gate, Sikandara Pictures
