Mumbai: Dongri gets a ‘Buland Darwaza’

MUMBAI:

Mughal emperor Akbar

got the

Buland Darwaza

(Magnificent Gate) built at

Fatehpur Sikri

near Agra in 1572 to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. At 54 metres, it is one of the world’s highest gateways and among the

Mughal era

’s finest structures.


Centuries later, Mumbai has got its own Buland Darwaza commemorating not the victory of any king but celebrating memories of Sufi saint

Hazrat Syed Haji Abdur Rahman Shah Qadri

or

Abdur Rahman Shah Baba

of

Dongri

. On Monday, former minister and MP Milind Deora and Congress MLA Amin Patel inaugurated the massive gate (42 metres tall, 32 metres wide) located opposite Khoja Qabrastan which will lead to the 104-year-old dargah (shrine) of Sufi saint Abdur Rahman Shah Baba in Dongri.

“The gate has been a cherished desire of Baba’s dargah trust and committee and countless devotees of the Sufi saint. We hope this gate will become one of the important landmarks in the city,” said Patel who used his MLA’s fund to construct it.

Inspired by monuments of Samarkand in Uzbekistan, its architect Aslam Qureishi suggested the use of glass reinforced concrete (GRC) in the arched Buland Darwaza which will weather a strong sun, heavy rains and strong winds. “Special LED lights have been installed to beautify the structure and give it a serene look at night,” added Patel.

Former MLA Bashir Patel and corporator Akhlaq Ansari too had worked on a gate at the spot earlier but Amin Patel took it up during his first tenure as MLA and ensured its completion before his second term ends next year.

Legend has it that the British would lock up the vagabond saint often but he would miraculously come out and sit on a black rock in Dongri.

Inscriptions mention Allah and other revered figures of Islam

On the annual Urs of the saint held in January, the first sandal (offering of flowers, sandal paste, shawl) to the shrine comes from the Dongri police station on behalf of Mumbai police.

Akbar’s Buland Darwaza declares in Persian: “Jesus, son of Mary, says, ‘The world is a bridge, pass over it, but build no houses upon it’.” Mumbai’s Buland Darwaza’s calligraphic inscriptions mention Allah, Mohammed the Prophet, all the four caliphs (Abu Bakar, Umar, Usman and Ali) and Panj Tan Pak or five purified figures (Prophet Muhmmad, Hazrat Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Hussain), revered to all.

Akbar also got his achievements and victories inscribed on his monument. The Buland Darwaza of Dongri too acknowledges the “services” of Deora and Patel.

Explore the yearly horoscope 2025 for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces zodiac signs. Spread love this holiday season with these New Year wishes, messages and quotes.