Buland Darwaja was constructed at Fatehpur Sikri by the Mughal emperor Akbar.

Question

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).

Assertion (A): Buland Darwaja was constructed at Fatehpur Sikri by the Mughal emperor Akbar.

Reason (R): Akbar built this monument to commemorate the birth of his son Jahangir.

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. A. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
2. B. (A) is false, but (R) is true
3. C. (A) is true, but (R) is false (Correct answer)
4. D. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

Correct Answer

Option C — (A) is true, but (R) is false

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is (A) is true, but (R) is false.

Key Points

• Assertion is true. The Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar, and at about 54 m it is among the highest gateways in the world.
• Reason is false. It was built in 1601 to commemorate Akbar's victory over Gujarat, not the birth of Jahangir.
• (A) true and (R) false gives option (c).

Additional Information

• Fatehpur Sikri itself was founded to celebrate the birth of Salim (Jahangir), born through the blessings of the Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti — which is the confusion this question deliberately exploits. The city commemorates the birth; the Buland Darwaza commemorates the Gujarat victory.
• Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; its notable structures include the Jama Masjid, the tomb of Salim Chishti (in white marble, with exquisite jaalis), Panch Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Ibadat Khana and Jodha Bai's palace.
• The Buland Darwaza carries an inscription attributed to Jesus: *"The world is a bridge, pass over it, but build no house upon it"* — often cited as evidence of Akbar's syncretic outlook, expressed also in Din-i-Ilahi and Sulh-i-Kul.