The
monumental gateway facing south was built by Akbar as the main entrance
to the mosque to commemorate his conquest over Deccan in 1601, according
to the Persian inscriptions on the archway. Known as Buland Darwaza, it
stands to this day eloquently expressing the grandeur of Akbar's empire.
Standing on the highest point of the ridge, it is 40.84 m high and was
built on a platform that was 13.52 m high. A fine example of Islamic
architecture, it is semi octagonal in plan and two smaller
triple-storeyed wings on either side. The central archway is richly ornamented with a broad band of yellow buff sandstone, bordered by red sandstone panels and two square panels on its bottom on either side with white and black marble inlay work. The arch resembles the pattern of Jami Masjid. It has three kiosks on its top surrounded by thirteen smaller domed kiosks. The smaller turrets surrounding the gateway greatly increase its magnificence. The arch has three actual openings bordered by decorative panels and superimposed by three other arched openings crowned by a semi-dome.